Puerto Rican couple allegedly gets racially profiled at Applebee’s in NYC. The server tells them they don’t ‘look like the type to order that’

A couple claims they were racially profiled at an Applebee’s restaurant located on 50th Street in New York City. The incident, which was posted on a TikTok video by user @nickiyaller1, allegedly took place when the couple tried to order Mexican ranch dressing on the side.

In the video, the man, who identifies as Puerto Rican, said a staff member at the restaurant told him and his wife that they did not look like the kind of people who would order Mexican ranch, or even know what it was. The clip has since drawn significant attention online, with viewer reactions appearing largely divided.

The TikTok caption, written by the user, read: “Getting profiled at Applebee’s in NYC because I wanted Mexican ranch!!! 😩😳💔. Um I’m Spanish and Jewish don’t get it twisted chat.”

Couple says staff member made unsolicited remark about their order

In the video, the man can be heard recounting what allegedly happened during their visit. According to the clip, when he asked for a Mexican ranch for his wife, a staff member, described in the video as a busboy, responded with a comment about their appearance.

“He said you guys don’t look like the type to order that. I didn’t know you guys would like that. I didn’t know if you guys knew about that,” the man said, recounting the alleged exchange. He then stated directly to the camera: “Why are you profiling me at Applebee’s? Me and my wife just got profiled at Applebee’s, the one on 50th Street in New York City.” This is not the first time restaurant staff have made unsolicited comments about customers’ food orders. 

During the video, a voice, apparently belonging to a staff member, can be heard offering a different explanation for the comment. The staff member appeared to say that “Mexican ranch” is simply what the restaurant internally calls the item, suggesting the remark was about the name of the menu item rather than the couple’s background. 

“No, it’s because this we call Mexi Ranch at the restaurant. That’s our name for it,” the voice, like the waiter said. Similar allegations of profiling by restaurant staff have recently surfaced at other chains, including a case where a Wingstop employee printed a racial slur on a customer’s receipt. The man also identifies himself as Puerto Rican during the video, saying: “And by the way, I’m Puerto Rican.” His wife is not heard speaking in the clip. 

Viewer comments on the TikTok video appeared largely unsympathetic toward the couple’s interpretation of the incident. One commenter wrote, “He explained what he meant… yet you’re still trying to get him fired or something?? People are weird bro.” Another said, “Talking about trying to make something out of NOTHING.” A third commenter noted, “I’m Mexican and never heard of Mexican ranch,” while another wrote, “Wake up. Be the victim of something. Sleep. Repeat.”

It is not clear from the video whether the couple filed a formal complaint with Applebee’s management or reported the incident to anyone else. Applebee’s has not been quoted or referenced in the TikTok post regarding the alleged incident, and no official statement from the chain has been reported.

The video does not show the moment the alleged comment was made, and the full context of the exchange between the couple and the staff member is not entirely visible in the clip. The account of events is based solely on what the man states in the video.