TikTok Let Down

TikTok has evolved from a funny app for viral dances to a cultural media-driven society. Among its most significant influences with Food. Millions of people have discovered new restaurants thanks to the app’s quick amusing videos, which feature anything from colourful street food to unique desserts. However, as more restaurants and food trends have gained popularity, more consumers are becoming aware that the real world often differs from the fictional world shown on screen.

Credit:BBC

TikTok Food Hype’s Rise 

TikTok has become known as a vital marketing tool for many restaurants.  A single viral video has the power to instantly make a previously unheard-of location famous and draw in crowds of eager customers.

However, TikTok has contributed significantly to the hype surrounding restaurants, which often results in disappointment for several reasons.

These short form videos on TikTok typically are feature heavily edited, to highlight an aesthetically pleasing food, exaggerating how delicious or extravagant certain foods may be. The actual presentation or quality may fall short of the standards set by these carefully edited videos when consumers visit these locations and expressed as over hyped and not as good for the price that is being paid for it, as Some girl food spots become well-known not because of their food but rather because of their unusual or outlandish dishes, which have gone viral. When buyers try the meal, they can discover that the uniqueness does not transfer into excellent taste or value, even though unusual combinations, enormous quantities, or extreme aesthetics, for example that go viral.

TikTok aesthetically pleasing video on Swiss butter produced by @datenightplaces

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdMWYsob/

The long crowds/wait times

Due to TikTok video gaining views on videos each second these viral food place can make the place become very overwhelming which could result in. Lengthy queue, poor service or even a drop in the quality of food as the kitchen tries to keep up with the demands. Resulting in the dining experience less pleasurable than predicted.

credit:foodepidia

TikTok review on Swiss Butter produced by @elise388                                                                                                                  

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdMW5BYu/

So, the main question can TikTok be a let down?

I did an interview asking about people’s experiences

“HORRID HORRID HORRID Drunch wasn’t what I expected it bad service very bad food not what I have seen on social media on TikTok it gives another perception but when you enter it was the complete opposite, it was very underwhelming.”    

“I’ve only been to the taco place in Camden, and it did disappoint not gonna lie, the price for like two tacos was £9 felt a bit mad because I know there’s places that give u way more for way less of that price”

However overall, TikTok videos’ careful editing and viral trends often lead to exaggerated expectations for dining establishments that do not necessarily provide the same experience in person.but in the end, even though TikTok might attract interest, it is up to each diner to decide whether the experience is worthwhile or simply a trend.

written by Kiera Mitchell-Camps