Going out to eat can be a big expense for many people. But one woman shared a hack to getting free food at her favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, two times a week. The trick? Go out on dates there.
Anna (@itsannaspelledbackwards) said that all she had to do was say her ideal date was to go to Texas Roadhouse on Tinder. Then all her matches wanted to take her on a date there.
She went to Texas Roadhouse consistently, and eventually, it paid off in bigger ways than just getting to eat at her favorite chain. She met her husband.
But do many people take advantage of dating apps to get free food? Is this a common trick?
What Is A ‘Foodie Call’?
In 2019, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology conducted an online study about “foodie calls”—the act of going on a date for food rather than for company. It found that 23% to 33% of women (who participated in the study) engaged in “foodie calls.”
The organization also found that the trait is linked to “dark triad” personality traits. The dark triad refers to “narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism,” according to Psychology Today. The Society for Personality and Social Psychology wrote that women who are willing to conduct foodie calls are more likely to engage in “deceptive and exploitative behavior.”
That doesn’t appear to be the case for Anna, who did go on genuine dates, it seems. She just stated her preference on Tinder, and it worked out in her favor.
But, for others, “foodie calling” is a genuine strategy.
The New York Post notes that “Countless [TikTokers] are proudly documenting their foodie finesse, using Hinge and Bumble like Doordash — to score meals on someone else’s dime.”
The publication adds that many people who “foodie call” do so with the intention of never texting or speaking to their date again. Sometimes, foodie callers realize halfway through a date that it won’t work out. Other times, they go into the date with the intention of scoring a meal and not much else.
Commenters on Anna’s video echoed this sentiment.
“Me but with seafood. I made every SINGLE prompt seafood related and I was wined and dined 3x times a week. It was fabulous,” one viewer said.
Another added, “I didn’t buy groceries for months when I was dating,” with two crying emoji.
@itsannaspelledbackwards And that’s how I bagged my husband on @Tinder 😍 @Texas Roadhouse
How To Avoid Getting ‘Foodie Called’
The foodie call trend can be concerning for some, especially if they’re normally the one who pays for the bill. Being on the receiving end of a dine-and-ghost can be painful, regardless of gender. For that reason, it can be helpful to set dating ground rules to find genuine connections.
For one, setting up expectations early can be invaluable. Communicating a desire to meet at a more low-stakes location, such as a coffee shop, can help foster initial trust before setting up a nicer dinner.
Psychologist David Ludden, who wrote a column for Psychology Today discussing “foodie calls,” says that low-stakes dates are “a more honest signal of romantic attraction.” It can make the date feel more equal, as it removes obligation for both parties. One party doesn’t have to pay the bill, or, at the very least, spends less than they normally would. The other party doesn’t feel obligated to return the favor in some way, shape, or form.
It’s also not out of the question to split the bill on the first date. While there’s an underlying expectation that men dating women pay the bill, societal norms are shifting to be more egalitarian. Splitting the bill can be a sign of mutual respect. Plus, if the date goes well, there are always more opportunities to be chivalrous in the future.
BroBible reached out to Anna via TikTok direct message and Texas Roadhouse via email for comment.