A Viral TikTok Just Exposed The Scam Behind Your Sizzling Fajitas (2024)

For anyone visiting their favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, the sizzle of an incoming order of fajitas is music to their ears. But thanks to a resurfaced TikTok video, you might just find yourself questioning this literal smoke show.

The initial TikTok, which was posted by @sallamibrahim24, shows a sizzling plate of carne asada fajitas taking its journey from the kitchen to a table of eager diners. But in the video, before the fajitas are served, you can see a chef pouring a liquid (presumably water) onto the dish. The water creates an ample amount of steam and a loud sizzle.

Many people in the comments of the TikTok were taken aback by the use of water to create the signature sizzle. "20 years to realize its not being cooked...jus [sic] steam," one user wrote.

Despite the TikTok receiving nearly 3 million views, the video was stitched into another TikTok that really has fajita lovers riled up. That particular video, uploaded by @scottysdaysof, shows him reacting to the sizzle trick.

"It's an artificial sizzle. It's an artificial sizzle! They just put water on the hot pan. It's not the food cooking when it comes to your [table]," he lamented.

No stranger to the fajita sizzle, Chili's recently made quite the reveal to TODAY, informing them that they use a sizzle sauce to amplify the flavor and aroma of their dish.

“Back in ’84, Chili’s was the restaurant that taught America how to eat and pronounce ‘fa-ji-tas,’” a representative for Chilis shared with TODAY. “As the final step before serving, we use a savory, smoky sauce that enhances the flavor and aroma of our fajitas. The sizzle isn’t just for show—it’s for creating delicious, craveable fajitas.”

Will you be reconsidering your normal order of fajitas now that the sizzle secret is out?