Via iStockphoto / @valsonline TikTok
A Texas Roadhouse customer couldn't believe her eyes after noticing how much salt was on her baked potato.
Texas Roadhouse sides are just as famous as its steaks. One of the most popular choices is undoubtably the baked potato. One customer’s recent experience ordering the baked potato to-go, however, is calling into question just how the side dish is prepared.
TikTok creator Val (@valsonline) ordered a steak and baked potato loaded with cheese and sour cream. “Oh, I love Texas Roadhouse. But [are] they f—— with me?” she starts her video, filming the potato in the to-go container.
She drags her finger across the potato skin, highlighting how much salt is on it, and questions why it has so much.
In the caption, the content creator compared the potato to Wendy’s fries, which are notoriously salty. “Out here acting like Wendy’s fries,” she wrote.
‘That’s Just How We Make Em’
Val’s clip garnered over 26,000 views, and alleged Texas Roadhouse employees entered the chat with their explanations.
“I’m a server there and unfortunately they have to coat the baked potatoes like that, i hate it sm. But you can always request in person or leave a note to ask them to wash it off before cooking!” one viewer explained.
“They are coated in bacon grease while cooking and then we add a layer of kosher salt to finish them- txrh employee,” a second elaborated.
“It helps [make] them fluffy,” a third added.
“No [that’s] just how we make em LOLL,” a fourth stated.
Customers also weighed in with divided opinions.
“All of the salt. It’s my favorite part of the potatoes,” one commenter wrote.
“Nobody has complained after all these years!? Why are you wasting so much salt?” another remarked.
While Texas Roadhouse hasn’t confirmed how this side is prepared, it has been discussed online in the past. In the r/TexasRoadhouse subreddit, one alleged former worker wrote, “The salt is added after the bacon grease is applied and before they are cooked. I worked at a TXRH.”
Even copycat recipes like this Chowhound one recommends coating potatoes in bacon grease and salt to mimic the chain’s iconic flavors.
@valsonline Out here acting like Wendy’s fries🙄 #fypシ #viral #saltyaf #texasroadhouse #fyp
How Much Salt Is A Problem?
Adding a dash of salt to a meal can increase flavor, and minimal amounts can even be beneficial to our health. However, per Healthline, overconsumption of salt over time can have serious consequences, including:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke, heart failure
- Kidney stones
- Kidney disease
Salt is 40% sodium and 60% chloride. According to the CDC, one teaspoon contains roughly 2,400 milligrams of sodium, which is more than the 2,300 milligram daily recommendation. And the Texas Roadhouse baked potato alone has 1,950 milligrams. Like many commenters recommended, you can always request for your potato to be made with less salt if you are watching your sodium intake.
BroBible reached out to Val via TikTok direct message and to Texas Roadhouse via press email.