Three Gen Z siblings were left wide-eyed and a little lighter in the wallet after a dinner outing in coastal North Carolina turned into a pricey surprise, all thanks to a misunderstood abbreviation on the menu. At the center of the culinary confusion? A pair of steaks labeled “MKT” short for “market price,” not “marked down,” as one might optimistically hope.
A pricey surprise on the waterfront
Aribella Menold, 20, and her sisters had chosen Moonrakers, an upscale waterfront restaurant in Beaufort, for what they thought would be a casual meal. But when the bill arrived, totaling $159.14 their expressions were a mix of disbelief and sticker shock. The now-viral TikTok they posted captures the moment. Captioned “POV: You didn’t know what ‘mkt’ meant on the steak menu and now you’re paying for it,” the clip has garnered over 19 million views.
Their meal included two 12 oz New York strip steaks at $52 each, a $28 baby kale Caesar salad (with an $11 grilled chicken add-on), a $10 grilled cheese from the kids’ menu, and a $3 Sprite. A credit card fee of 3% added $4.35, and sales tax added another $9.79, rounding out a dinner that was far from casual.
The meaning behind the menu
The confusion boiled down to the term “MKT,” a commonly used restaurant abbreviation for “market price.” It refers to dishes often steak or seafood whose cost fluctuates depending on supply, quality, and season. The catch? Prices aren’t listed upfront, and unless diners ask, the final total can come as a surprise. “We thought it would be, like, $20 to $30,” Aribella admitted in an interview with Newsweek. Thankfully for the sisters, their grandfather generously picked up the tab. “He was so sweet about it,” Aribella added.
The viral video sparked a flurry of online reactions. Some commenters downplayed the cost. “$160 split between three people? That’s not terrible,” one person said. Others were floored: “$28 for a salad is criminal,” one TikTok user wrote.
Some placed the blame on the restaurant staff: “Honestly, the server should’ve said the steak was $52. That’s basic hospitality,” one comment read. “At my old job, we had to tell guests the price of anything marked ‘market price’ or we’d get in trouble.” Then came the practical advice: “If it doesn’t have a price listed, ask or avoid it altogether unless you’re ready to splurge,” one user warned.
A growing debate over menu transparency
The incident also reopened discussions around hidden fees and vague menu language. In recent months, diners across the US have raised concerns about unexpected surcharges labeled “living wage” or “equal pay” fees. Critics argue these can be misleading if not clearly explained. In New York City, consumer protection laws prohibit restaurants from adding unexpected charges unless they are explicitly labeled as service fees and disclosed before an order is placed.