A woman went to Chili’s with high hopes for the viral Triple-Dipper. Unfortunately, the reality of the meal didn’t quite match up to the vision in her head.
TikToker @bananacutie44 posted a slideshow that chronicles her Triple-Dipper disappointment journey. The first slide is a photo of the TikToker with an anticipatory smile on her face. “Being catfished by food is a different kind of pain,” she wrote in the caption.
The second slide is a screenshot of a TikTok search for the Triple-Dipper, which is filled with juicy-looking Chicken Crispers and plump fried mozzarella videos. In the third slide, @bananacutie44 shows off her personal Triple Dipper, and it doesn’t look nearly as appetizing as the photos online.
Viewers React to the Triple-Dipper ‘Catfish’
In the comments section, viewers weighed in on whether the Triple Dipper is a catfish in general or if the specific location @bananacutie44 visited simply dropped the ball that evening.
“You must’ve gone to Pepper’s or something, because that ain’t Chili’s,” joked one person.
A second user agreed, “I know this Chili’s ain’t in America.”
A third person wrote, “Even my DoorDashed Chili’s looks better than this.”
One Chili’s customer even shared a photo of their Triple-Dipper, which indeed looks superior to the one in @bananacutie44’s slide show. “They deff played in your face,” the user wrote.
Several viewers stated @bananacutie44 must’ve done something to deserve this level of treatment. “Girl, did you go in right before closing or something?” asked one person.
Is the Triple-Dipper a ‘Catfish’ Or the Real Thing?
The Chili’s Triple Dipper is one of the most viral restaurant promotions on the internet today. Not only is it ubiquitous on TikTok, but last year, Business Insider called it “the best $17” you can spend at a chain restaurant. And the sales figures backed up the internet buzz—fueling a resurgence for Chili’s over the past two years.
However, not every restaurant goer is in agreement. In a Reddit thread posted to r/Chilis seven months ago, a customer complained, “Triple Dipper is terrible for its price to food ratio. I don’t understand the hype. It’s $17.50 at my Chili’s. Now the 3-for-Me is where it’s at.” The 3-for-Me is another Chili’s promotion that includes a drink, appetizer, and an entree for $10.99.
Several users in the comments agreed. “Yep! I stopped ordering because of the same reason,” said one person. “I go for the 3-for-Me or the fajitas, which are good for the price, in my opinion. But to each their own.”
A Chili’s server said, “Yet people are still buying them. I have teenagers that come in and ask for a Triple Dipper without knowing they get options. They just see it on TikTok and Instagram and decide they want one.”
The Mary Sue contacted @bananacutie44 via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also contacted Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, via email for comment.
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