Viral TikTok shows how ‘MKT’ menu confusion led to a seriously expensive restaurant bill

‘We thought it would be like $25 max’

4 days ago

Going out for a nice meal doesn’t usually come with surprises, but for three sisters in North Carolina, a single menu abbreviation ended up costing them far more than expected.

Aribella Menold and her two sisters were dining at Moonrakers restaurant, looking forward to a relaxed evening. But when the bill arrived, they were hit with a total of $159.14 (around £117.11), which came as a bit of a shock.

So, what exactly did they order?

According to a now-viral TikTok posted by Menold, the group ordered two New York strip steaks at $52 each, along with a baby kale Caesar salad for $28, plus an extra $11 to add grilled chicken. They also had a $10 grilled cheese from the kids’ menu and a $3 Sprite. Once the 3 per cent card fee and 6.75 per cent tax were added, the total jumped to nearly $160.

In the video, which now has over a millions views, the sisters’ stunned expressions are overlaid with the caption: “POV: You didn’t know what ‘mkt’ meant on the steak menu and now you’re paying for it.”

@aribella_menold we don’t get out much #bigfamily #family #siblings #justgirlythings #justagirl #girlmath #lol #summerlooks ♬ Original Sound – Unknown

So, what does MKT actually mean?

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MKT stands for market price, something you’ll often see next to premium dishes like steak or seafood. It means the cost isn’t fixed, but rather depends on daily availability and supplier pricing. In many restaurants, staff will let you know the current price if you ask.

In this case, they didn’t and the sisters assumed the steak would be somewhere around $20–30. Menold later told Newsweek they were genuinely caught off guard. “We thought it would be like $25 max,” she said.

Naturally, people on TikTok were quick to weigh in. While some said $52 for a steak is completely normal, others were more focused on the price of the sides.

“$52 for steak isn’t bad,” one person commented. “But $10 for grilled cheese and $28 for a salad? That’s the real crime.”

Another added, “Menus without prices should come with a warning sign.”

Thankfully, their grandpa ended up paying the bill. “Our grandpa ended up paying for it which was so sweet of him,” Menold explained.

Still, lesson learned: When the menu says “MKT,” maybe ask before you order.

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