We all know food prices are hitting our wallets hard right now, but apparently, the size of our restaurant meals is also shrinking. A recent video making the rounds shows exactly how frustrating this trend, commonly known as shrinkflation, can be when you’re dining out. As reported by BroBible, TikTok user Mathiah (@mathiah_) just wanted a simple chicken salad from Longhorn Steakhouse, but what he got instead has people seriously questioning the restaurant’s portion control.
Mathiah was filming his takeout order, noting that the lettuce, feta cheese, grapes, and dressing on the side looked delicious and fresh. The problem wasn’t the salad itself; it was the star of the show, the chicken. The designated compartment held only about seven small pieces of grilled chicken breast, filling less than half the allotted space. “I just ordered a chicken salad from Longhorn Steakhouse,” he begins in the video. “And just look at the portions.”
His reaction was totally understandable. “…Come on,” Mathiah said. Honestly, when you pay good money for a full meal, you expect a full protein portion. This is just disappointing, and it’s a perfect visual example of shrinkflation in action. Shrinkflation is that frustrating practice where companies reduce the product size while keeping the price the same, or sometimes even raising it.
The comments section absolutely exploded with reactions to the sad chicken portion
One viewer captured the disappointment perfectly, joking that “A chicken sneezed near that salad.” Other commenters wondered if a delivery person had tampered with the meal, which is a fair question, but one person claiming to have worked at the restaurant chimed in, offering great advice. “I used to work there and this does not look right!” they wrote. “If you call I’m sure a manager would be happy to have it remade for you!”
While Longhorn Steakhouse isn’t considered a major industry “offender” of this practice, Mathiah’s experience isn’t entirely isolated. Other customers have posted negative reviews specifically focused on portion size. For instance, one customer complained online that they ordered a 200-gram steak and received “150g at best.” Another review mentioned a ribeye that resembled “a kneecap with several small morsels of semi-edible meat.”
Even on social media, one user posted a photo of his dinner plate and wrote that the “Longhorn portion sizes got me feeling like I ordered from the kids’ menu,” though he did concede the flavor wasn’t bad. The feeling of getting less for your money is a massive trend right now, and it extends far beyond just one chain. Food manufacturers and household brands have all been accused of implementing shrinkflation, and restaurants are definitely not immune.
We’ve also seen viral claims against other popular chains recently, with users alleging that Cheesecake Factory slices have gotten noticeably smaller. Another user even claimed that Olive Garden’s famous pasta portions now resemble “a kids’ meal.” It’s clear that consumers are tired of paying premium prices for what feels like half a meal.
Published: Feb 9, 2026 09:30 am