If you’ve spent any time on TikTok recently, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered “girl dinner,” the latest social media trend that simultaneously celebrates the simple joys of eating and potentially perpetuates disordered eating.
What is girl dinner?
“Girl dinner” is essentially a simple, minimalist meal that may not meet all nutritional requirements, but consists of just enough to fill someone up. Think of girl dinner as a simple DIY appetizer-esque meal that doubles as a way to clean out the fridge!
The trend started when Olivia Mahler, self-proclaimed founder and CEO of girl dinner, posted a video on TikTok in May showcasing her dinner consisting of sliced bread, cheese, grapes and red wine and compared it to meals typically eaten by medieval peasants. Thus sparked the birth of “girl dinner.”
The hashtag #girldinner has over 691 million views on TikTok. Most videos typically showcase nachos, a cheese plate, cereal or anything else that requires as little effort in cooking as possible. The girl dinner trend has even sparked its own user-made theme song that plays in the background of most videos.
Is girl dinner healthy?
Some critics have come out against the trend, claiming it glorifies disordered eating. Some users posting to the hashtag say that their girl dinner consists of alcohol, biting their nails or just taking a nap. While most likely said it in jest, the painful history of eating disorders within communities of women has a way of popping up with trends like these.
There also is a conversation about the gendered nature of the generally simple meals. Does “girl dinner” imply the existence of a “boy dinner”?
While decidedly less popular, the #boydinner hashtag has accumulated over 26 million views and generally consists of a slightly more chaotic version of girl dinner. Some videos show a half-eaten pizza box under a user’s bed covers, while another shows a mix of Goldfish crackers, french fries and a prepackaged brownie dessert.
What powers these dinner trends is the individual making them. Most of the meals showcased are curated for one person only, with low effort and at low cost.
So is a girl dinner an act of triumph against the changing nature of gender roles? Is it a commentary on the rising prices of food? Is it a cry for help?
It is all of these and none of these; it’s simply girl dinner.
Where to get girl dinner at a Delaware restaurant
The fried chicken chain Popeye’s has jumped on the bandwagon, adding a “girl dinner” menu option for their customers consisting of various side dishes.
As we know, Tiktok trends like this tend to fade out as quickly as they came in, so it’s unlikely many other corporations will hop on the trend.
But if you’re in the mood for a “girl dinner” out in Delaware, happy hour and appetizer menus are a good place to start.
Big Fish Riverfront in Wilmington’s happy hour is held on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering appetizers for $10 each including shrimp bruschetta, crispy fish sliders and soft pretzel rods with fondue.
Dogfish Head’s menu has plenty of shareable plates that can pass for a girl dinner, including fried pickle chips, chicken wings and the famous “Dogpile” nachos.
From 4 to 5 p.m., patrons can enjoy the happy hour menu at The Blue Hen in Rehoboth. Among the appetizers offered are the famous lobster toast, blue hen chips and tempura asparagus.
In truth, there is no rhyme or reason behind girl dinner. If the individual can enjoy the meal with little to no stress, the purpose is met.
Have your own version of “girl dinner”? Send it in to be featured in an upcoming Delaware Online Daily Briefing newsletter by sending your submission to mmcvety@delawareonline.com.
