Man alleges every Texas Roadhouse overhead lamp has a camera ‘watching you eat,’ but the chain quickly intervened
Uh.. why?
Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy your cinnamon rolls at Texas Roadhouse, a new viral conspiracy theory has entered the chat. TikTok creator Zander Marlow (@zandermarlow) sparked a massive debate after posting a video claiming he discovered a hidden camera embedded directly inside the light fixture at his Texas Roadhouse table.
The video, which has already surpassed 524,000 views, shows Marlow pointing his camera toward the center of the overhead lamp. He highlights a small, dark, circular object that looks suspiciously like a lens. While some viewers were sent into a spiral of privacy concerns, others were quick to point out that the “surveillance” was actually just standard electrical engineering.
The truth about the lightbulb
Marlow’s claim that he found a camera in his booth was met with a swift reality check. According to former employees in the comments, the mysterious object isn’t a lens meant to record your dinner conversation. It’s simply a functional part of the bulb itself.
In many industrial-style or vintage-reproduction bulbs, the center of the light contains a light diffuser or a structural support for the filament. Its job is to ensure the light isn’t blindingly bright for the person sitting directly beneath it. As one former Texas Roadhouse server put it, “That’s just a light bulb. It’s not that serious.”
Texas Roadhouse responds to the ‘spy camera’ allegations
The corporate office didn’t let the “hidden camera” rumor simmer for long. A spokesperson for Texas Roadhouse addressed the viral claim, confirming that the objects in question are indeed part of the lighting fixtures and not recording devices.
The brand clarified that the lamps are designed to fit the rustic, casual aesthetic of the restaurant. So, there is absolutely no surveillance hidden within the table lighting. They have no reason to secretly peek into your food from a bird’s eye angle while you eat.
“There are absolutely no cameras in any of the light fixtures in our restaurant. The lightbulbs we use are called ‘silver dome’ and are used to reflect light back into the fixture, reducing glare and softening brightness. We use them for guest comfort and ambiance,” a Texas Roadhouse spokesperson said. So, the steakhouse is not moonlighting as a private investigator firm.
Are there surveillance cameras in Texas Roadhouse?
Like almost every major retail and restaurant chain in the country, Texas Roadhouse does utilize surveillance cameras. But they aren’t hidden inside your lamp. Standard security cameras are typically mounted in plain sight on the ceilings or in the corners of the dining room and lobby.
These are used for loss prevention, employee safety, and to monitor the premises for liability reasons. As many users on TikTok pointed out, the restaurant also already has your credit card info and your ID. So, they don’t need a hidden bulb camera to know who you are.
Is it possible to have a hidden camera in the lamps?
The technology for “spy” cameras hidden in everyday objects certainly exists. But the likelihood of a major national chain installing them in thousands of booths is slim to none.
Legally, restaurants have a right to record in public areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy (like a dining room). But hidden recording devices are a legal minefield that most corporations avoid to prevent massive lawsuits.
Furthermore, a camera placed inside a heat-generating lightbulb would likely melt or fail within hours. So, that’s one of the least efficient places to hide a recording device.
Do not take the video seriously
The comments section of Zander’s video was divided. There were between people who took the video seriously and those who were convinced he was just trolling for views. “Why are you worried about a ‘camera’ in a building that has actual security cameras and uses your credit card info/ID??” one viewer asked, highlighting the irony of modern privacy fears.
“People like this make me feel really smart,” another remarked, clearly unimpressed by the discovery. “The amount of people in the comments thinking this is a sincere video is bumming me out,” a third stated. Because chances are, the creator was in on the joke.
Remember, skepticism is a tool, but so is common sense. You do not need a deep-dive investigation into the electrical components of a lamp, when you know you’re already being watched from five other angles. So, you can probably go back to enjoying your rolls without worrying that the lightbulb is judging your choice of side dishes.
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