Center City Steakhouse Becomes Unexpected Hotspot for Viral $39 ‘Girl Dinner’
A high-end steakhouse in Center City Philadelphia, traditionally known for business lunches and large tables of men watching sports, has inadvertently become the destination for the latest “Girl Dinner” trend. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is drawing waves of new customers thanks to a specific bar menu item that social media users have dubbed the ultimate girl dinner deal.
Deep Search: The $39 Deal Taking Over TikTok
The viral sensation centers on a bar menu package titled “Shucked, Fried, Tossed, and Stirred.” For $39, the offering includes a comprehensive spread: a cocktail, a half-dozen oysters, an order of truffle fries, and a small Caesar salad.
The trend ignited after 24-year-old Philadelphia influencer Hannah Sparkevicius posted a video to TikTok, categorizing the combo as “girl dinner.” Her video amassed over 100,000 views, highlighting the value of the deal in a city where a single cocktail often costs $20 and six oysters can run $25. The deal, which debuted last October across Del Frisco’s locations, was not originally marketed as a gender-specific meal but has been co-opted by social media users as the perfect embodiment of the trend. The massive 1922 venue at 15th and Chestnut, featuring soaring ceilings and bank vaults, is now seeing increased foot traffic from women specifically seeking out this “Shucked” combination.
Background Info: From Snack Plates to Steakhouse Specials
The “Girl Dinner” phenomenon began on TikTok in 2023, originally celebrating low-effort meals consisting of chaotic assortments of snacks—cheese, grapes, bread, and pickles—eaten directly from the fridge. It was a rejection of cooking and traditional meal structure.
However, the trend has evolved from home-scrounged plates to restaurant dining. The Del Frisco’s phenomenon represents the “elevated” version of this trend: a collection of appetizers and a drink that mimics the variety and portion control of the original meme but with luxury ingredients like truffles and oysters. It aligns with a broader shift in dining where patrons, particularly younger demographics, prefer sharing small plates and appetizers over heavy, singular entrées.
Objections: Is It Just a Happy Hour Rebrand?
Despite the viral hype, skeptics note that the “Girl Dinner” label is simply a modern rebrand of a standard happy hour or prix-fixe bar special. Critics might argue that categorizing a salad, fries, and seafood combo specifically as “for girls” plays into gender stereotypes regarding appetite and food choices, reinforcing the idea that women only eat small portions or appetizers. Furthermore, while $39 is a deal relative to the steakhouse’s standard pricing, it remains a steep price point for what is essentially a snack spread, arguably alienating the budget-conscious demographic that originally popularized the “low-effort, low-cost” girl dinner concept at home. Additionally, the influx of influencers filming their meals has shifted the atmosphere of the establishment, potentially clashing with the traditional, more reserved steakhouse vibe expecting privacy and quiet dining.
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