Via Stockphoto / @mercedeseckert TikTok
A woman was disgusted after discovering a dead fly in her Longhorn Steakhouse water.
Water cups are pretty standard at restaurants. They’re cold, refreshing, and filled to the brim with ice. However, one woman and longtime mystery shopper discovered something floating in her glass at Longhorn Steakhouse. It was a downright health hazard.
What’s In This Longhorn Steakhouse Water?
Mercedes Eckert (@mercedeseckert) sits in a booth with her glass of water on the table. At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual. When she zooms in at the very top, there’s a fly floating on an ice cube next to her straw. Horrified, she writes in the text overlay, “Omg and they have no idea I am a mystery shopper!”
Although Eckert is off the clock, it doesn’t quell her disgust in the caption, “Why is there a dead fly in my drink? Good thing this is not one of my mystery shops – lawd have mercy!”
This isn’t the mystery shopper’s first rodeo at Longhorn Steakhouse. In July, she documented her unsanitary experience while off duty, receiving a butter cup with sauce around the edge, a plate with food splattered on the margin, and a hazy glass of water.
People Are Disgusted
Eckert’s video accumulated over 15,000 views, and many shared their various thoughts.
“Last time I went to Longhorn, the girl refilled my water and a huge piece of lettuce appeared in my water,” one viewer commented.
“Mystery shopping has changed my complete outlook on going out for dinner. That’s so gross,” a second stated.
“Accidents happen,” a third said.
Then one user remarked, “Longhorn definitely doesn’t have mystery shoppers.”
Because some refused to believe her, the creator explained in the comments section. “Let me let you in on something, competitors order mystery shops for other businesses,” she wrote. “The government uses mystery shoppers as well. So even if a specific company has not brought them in, their competitor may have. Lawd have mercy.”
What Do Mystery Shoppers Do?
Mystery shoppers are hired and paid by marketing research companies to pose as secret reviewers masquerading as average customers. Their job is to evaluate restaurants, collect photos and details, and send feedback. This paints the entire experience from a third-party perspective: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
It sounds pretty simple, right? Getting paid to eat and share your opinions? To a point, yes, but payment depends on the assignment. While the workload varies by company, the normal checklist includes observing employee behavior, cleanliness, food quality, wait times, and the overall experience, according to Mashed. If Eckert was undercover, she would’ve had to report the fly incident, especially since these insects are riddled with dangerous bacteria, making them a health hazard.
@mercedeseckert Why is there a dead fly in my drink? Good thing this is not one of my mystery shops – lawd have mercy!
BroBible reached out to Eckert via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. BroBible also reached out to Longhorn Steakhouse’s parent company, Darden, via email.