A Chili’s customer’s slip and fall while paying homage to a classic Vine meme caught the restaurant’s attention.
New York-based TikTok user Alex (@awally_) recorded the clip at a Chili’s location and garnered over 22.9 million views in the process. Alex’s video begins with him sitting at a barstool in a Chili’s restaurant. He enthusiastically says to his viewers, “Hello, welcome to Chili’s.”
Following this announcement, he sticks his legs way up in the air, causing the chair’s legs to skid beneath him. Unable to regain his balance, he tumbles to the ground, much to the amusement of the person behind the camera, who starts laughing. Another gentleman enjoying a beverage behind him throws up his hand after being briefly startled by Alex’s maneuver.
‘Those Chili’s Drinks Must Hit Different’
Throngs of folks who replied to his video expressed that they thought Alex’s behavior was a consequence of enjoying the chain’s alcohol selection. “The bartender when he realized he shouldn’t have made that last drink,” one user joked. Someone else quipped, “Sweetheart, this is Applebee’s behavior.”
Another remarked, “Bestie I think it’s time to leave Chili’s.”
Even the official TikTok account replied to his clip, presumably due to the sheer number of people who liked, reposted, and commented on the video. “Your Uber is on the way,” the account wrote.
Alex wrote back in the comments section, “Hi, I love you!”
A Piece of Meme History
Other TikTokers mentioned that the short dose of absurdity was reminiscent of Vine.
The OG “Welcome to Chili’s” clip was uploaded by Adam Perkins. He records himself walking into a bathroom wearing nothing but his boxers. Holding his phone up to record himself, he aims the device’s lens directly at the bathroom’s mirror. He sticks his arms out and says in a chipper voice, “Hi, welcome to Chili’s!”
The silliness of the clip resonated with Vine users when it was posted on March 21, 2015. According to Know Your Meme, Perkins’ post garnered “over 8.05 million loops, 104,000 likes, 59,000 revines, and 13,000 comments” within a month of being posted. In its first year, the video accrued over 20 million loops on the once-popular short-form video-sharing app.
‘It Is Forbidden To Be In The Chili’s And Not Be Drunk’
While Alex’s video appears to be an homage to Perkins’ widely viewed Vine, it also speaks to a sentiment many folks have with regard to getting inebriated at Chili’s. Folks in the r/NoStupidQuestions subreddit post replied to a user on the site who asked, “Will Chili’s allow me to get drunk?”
Many humorously replied that they believe it’s company policy to get as hammered as possible while frequenting one of the chain’s establishments. “It’s actually required by both company policy and law. It is forbidden to be in the Chili’s and NOT be drunk,” one joked.
@awally_ Hello! Welcome to Chili’s! @Chili’s Grill & Bar #margarita
BroBible has reached out to Alex via TikTok direct message for further comment.