Some TikTok users posted that they ordered the Chili’s Triple Dipper appetizer platter as a meal, and thought it was a great deal. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Videos of people ordering Chili’s appetizer combos as their main meal have been viewed millions of times on TikTok.
The Triple Dipper comes with three appetizers and three sauces and is usually under $20.
I tried the Viral Meal and thought it was a hearty meal for a relatively low price.
The Triple Dipper is the latest menu item to win over Chiliz customers as chains compete to offer the best value.
A video of him eating and reviewing the Triple Dipper has been viewed more than 30 million times on TikTok and has received high praise.
“Going to Chili’s and not getting the triple dipper, especially not getting the triple dipper with a mozzarella stick on top, is a huge mistake,” said the creator of the TikTok video, which has been viewed more than 5 million times.
But while the Triple Dipper is popular, it’s not new, and longtime fans of the appetizer combo lament its popularity due to an online fad.
“I’ve been taking this for so long I’m kind of pissed that people are only now finding out,” one user commented on the TikTok video.
“The Triple Dipper has long been a fan favorite, so we’re happy to see it taking off on TikTok,” George Felix, Chili’s chief marketing officer, told Business Insider in an email. “Part of our brand purpose is to create a fun atmosphere in our restaurants, and now that’s spilling over to social media as customers show off their amazing cheese pulls and rich ranch dips.”
To see if this hyped dish was really worthy of the buzz, I ordered it myself at my local Chili’s.
The Triple Dipper is one of Chile’s most famous dishes and has been around for years.
A Chiliz menu showing the triple dipper and burger options. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The Triple Dipper comes with three appetizers and three sauces. Prices on the Chili’s menu vary from restaurant to restaurant, but appetizer combos are usually under or around $20. At the Chili’s location I visited, the combo cost $17.29, excluding tax and tip.
Customers can choose from a variety of appetizer options to include in their combo, ranging from boneless or bone-in wings to the chain’s Southwestern Egg Roll, Big Mouth Burger Bites, Chicken Crispers and Fried Mozzarella.
There’s no word on how many people the Triple Dipper serves, but if you’re having it as an appetizer, I’d say it’s ideal for two people, judging by the number of items in each dish.
I ordered one of the most popular combinations I saw on TikTok.
Some TikTok users posted that they ordered the Chili’s Triple Dipper appetizer platter as a meal, and thought it was a great deal. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
After watching some of the most-watched Triple Dipper videos on TikTok, I noticed that one of the most popular orders was a combo of Big Mouth Burger Bites, the chain’s sliders, fried mozzarella, and honey chipotle chicken crispers.
My mouth watered when a big basket of food arrived at our table.
I’d ordered the Triple Dipper as an appetizer to share with friends before, often resulting in us fighting over the last egg roll or cutting a slider in half so everyone was full. This time, I couldn’t wait to have the whole thing for myself.
The first thing I tried was the fried mozzarella.
Fried mozzarella in chili. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Chili’s fried mozzarella is larger than a standard mozzarella stick and about the size of a hash brown patty – there were two pieces on the platter.
It was served warm, fried to a golden brown, fragrant with Italian seasoning, and served with a dollop of marinara sauce.
The fried mozzarella was stuffed with melted cheese.
Fried mozzarella in chili. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
When I took a bite of the fried mozzarella, the texture of the cheese was amazing, and it went well with the classic tomato and basil marinara sauce.
The cheese itself was melted yet super crunchy on the outside – it was easy to see why this dish is so popular.
Next up to the Triple Dipper were the Big Mouth Burger Bites.
Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
of Big Mouth Burger Bites Chili’s version of sliders can be served as a main dish or as part of the Triple Dipper appetizer combo plate.
The sliders come with a beef patty, American cheese, bacon bits and sautéed onions.
These sliders perfectly satisfied my burger craving.
Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I thought the two burgers were generous and flavorful, especially when dipped in the chain’s ranch dressing. The bacon was crispy and salty, and the cheese was perfectly melted on top of the bite-sized burgers.
The burger patties themselves were a little on the small side, but that’s to be expected for sliders. They were also overcooked for me. I would have preferred them a little rarer, but that’s just a matter of personal preference.
My favorite of the three appetizers was the Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
This meal came with three Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers, Chili’s version of chicken tenders: the tenders are drenched in a sweet and spicy sauce but still very crispy and chewy.
The chicken tenders were juicy and the sauce was flavorful.
I loved how the sauce had a punchy flavor without being too spicy. The chicken tenders drenched in the chain’s ranch dressing were a real surprise. They were flavorful and I loved the sticky texture of the sauce that clung to every inch of the tenders.
Next time I dine at Chili’s I will definitely order the Triple Dipper instead of an entree.
The author outside Chili’s. Erin McDowell/Business Insider
After ordering the Triple Dipper, I understood why it was all the hype – not only were all three dishes extremely delicious, but I also thought the meal was great value for money.
Considering the rising cost of dining out, and even fast food, $17.29 for the Triple Dipper seemed like a great deal, especially considering the amount of food I received. For reference, at my local restaurant in Glendale, NY, most Chili’s entrees range from $14 to $30.
I arrived at Chili’s super hungry, but still couldn’t finish the gigantic antipasti platter. Chili’s motto is “If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault,” and by embracing this trend, the chain proves it takes its message seriously.
