I finally ate at Chili’s for the first time. I learned not to believe everything I see on TikTok.

• I ate at Chili’s for the first time after seeing people rave about the food on TikTok.
• I ordered a Triple Dipper appetizer sampler, the Bacon Rancher burger, and a molten chocolate cake.
• I enjoyed most of the food but thought the meal was overpriced.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the early aughts, I didn’t have access to many fast-casual chain restaurants. My time was mostly spent in small pizza shops strategically located next to Blockbusters and family-owned diners.

However, I never felt like I was missing out — until 20 years later, when my social media algorithms somehow became a display of Chili’s fandom.

Although I’m still not exactly sure how this happened (maybe it was my boyfriend whispering “Take me to Chili’s” into my phone when I wasn’t looking), the videos of Triple Dippers and Nashville hot mozz pulls succeeded, and I found myself at Chili’s for the very first time.

Here’s what I thought of my first visit to the chain.