Chili’s has many standout menu items that are incredibly popular among customers: its alternating margaritas, baby back ribs, Southwestern egg rolls, and the Triple Dipper. A new spin on the triple dipper is going viral. Reactions to this secret menu item that people are dubbing the “struggle dipper” are polarizing. Some viewers are finding the hack genius, while others think it’s “too broke.”
TikToker @inyrdairyairr13 shared the hack in a video with more than 188,000 views. In it, she orders a DIY appetizer that consists of a $1.99 garlic toast basket, a $1.50 side of Alfredo, and a $1.50 side of marinara.
What’s The Chili’s ‘Struggle Dipper’?
Many commenters didn’t even realize Chili’s offered garlic toast baskets, leading some to question how they’d go about ordering the “struggle dipper.”
A commenter explained that customers can request it with their servers. They claimed Chili’s servers have a “garlic toast basket” option on their tablets, even though it’s not on the menu.
“It’s 5 pieces of garlic toast. I have someone get it and dip it in skillet queso,” a viewer claiming to be a Chili’s server said.
While the TikToker recommended ordering the garlic toast basket alongside pasta sauces, Chili’s has a number of other offerings, such as garlic parmesan sauce and avocado ranch. Any sauce can technically be added to a Chili’s order. In total, her version of the hack cost $4.99 pre-tax when she visited Chili’s. Other viewers said that sauces cost $2 at certain locations, which would bring the DIY appetizer to $5.99 pre-tax.
Are Chili’s Customers Inspired?
While some viewers said they would try purchasing the DIY appetizer in the near future, others were uninterested in the option.
“The ‘I’m broke asf triple dipper,’” one viewer jokingly said.
Some consider the Triple Dipper a budget option already, and it comes with multiple appetizer options. Viewers told the content creator that trying to save money defeated the purpose of going out.
One person said, “Don’t eat somewhere expensive if you can’t afford it.”
Others, however, defended the “struggle dipper.”
“Everyone is talking about being cheap… I’m not even a cheapo at a restaurant and I’d devour this,” one person said.
Most commenters referred to the order as a “quick snack” or light appetizer. In comparison to Chili’s actual Triple Dipper, it’s relatively light. But when compared to the restaurant chain’s chips and salsa, which ranges from $4 to $6 on average, it offers a meaningful alternative.
“I always love a deal omg,” one viewer added.
BroBible has reached out to inyrdairyairr13 via TikTok direct message and to Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, via email for more information.