A TikTok video claiming that LongHorn Steakhouse reduced its kids’ sirloin portion from 6 ounces to 4 ounces has gone viral, racking up more than 222,000 views. The video was posted by content creator Trinity, who goes by @authenticti on the platform, and appears to show her cutting into a noticeably small steak next to a scoop of mashed potatoes.
On-screen text in the video reads: “Y’all they changed the 6oz Longhorn steak to a 4oz steak talking about people scamming them taking them to go.” In the caption, Trinity wrote: “Y’all I’m flabbergasted they caught us,” suggesting she was among the adults who had been ordering from the kids’ menu to save money.
Brobible points out that LongHorn Steakhouse does not list the kids’ steak size on its online menu, so whether this reflects an official, chain-wide policy change has not been confirmed. The restaurant has not publicly commented on the alleged portion reduction.
The kids’ sirloin hack that spread across social media before the reported change
For some time, a budget dining tip had been circulating on social media encouraging adults to order the kids’ sirloin at LongHorn Steakhouse. According to Chowhound, the kids’ sirloin was historically priced at around $10 for what was reportedly a 6-ounce steak, while the adult sirloin with a loaded baked potato ran close to $20. Per reports, the steak itself was the same cut and quality as the adult version.
The key differences, per the outlet, were that the kids’ meal came with a drink instead of soup or salad, and that most LongHorn dine-in locations enforced a 12-and-under rule, meaning adults were not supposed to order from the kids’ menu while eating in the restaurant. LongHorn has also drawn attention for other unexpected dining experiences reported by customers.
The workaround that gained traction was placing orders through takeout or delivery apps. As the Takeout noted, ordering online meant there was no way for the restaurant to verify whether the meal was for a child. The kids’ online menu reportedly listed the sirloin with a choice of doneness, seasoned the same way as the adult version, and came with a side and a drink.
One couple on Instagram said they were eating LongHorn steak dinners for a combined $17 total. A Facebook user called it “the best $10 I’ve spent in a long time.”
The Takeout also noted that LongHorn has raised its kids’ menu prices in recent years, though the gap between the kids’ and adult options was apparently still wide enough to make the hack attractive to many customers. Large groups have also felt the impact of pricing at the chain, as seen when a family of 17 faced a surprising LongHorn bill.
For additional context, Allrecipes recently compared kids’ meals across five casual dining chains, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Texas Roadhouse, to find the best value. According to that comparison, LongHorn ranked second overall, specifically on the strength of its kids’ sirloin, which the outlet noted was still cheaper than a steak burrito at Chipotle.
On that comparison, Texas Roadhouse took the top spot, as its kids’ meals reportedly start at $5.99 and include unlimited fresh-baked rolls with cinnamon butter, along with a Ranger Meal option featuring a 6-ounce sirloin for $8.99.
Not everyone in the comments was convinced by Trinity’s claim, however. Some suggested the steak’s size may not have changed at all. “It was 6 oz before you cooked the flavor out of it,” one commenter wrote. Another raised a similar point, asking: “did u reweigh it. ,cause it dose cook down.” A third commenter took a different angle altogether, writing: “i dont understand the point of eating well done steak.”
Published: Jun 15, 2026 04:10 pm