Applebee’s worker shares the most bizarre customer order she’s ever received: ‘I be ordering stuff like this when I’m hungover’

When a craving hits, it can be hard to subdue. But for workers at the average restaurant chain, some customers’ orders can be mind boggling.

Take one woman’s experience receiving a strange delivery order while working at Applebee’s. Ariel (@baked.tot) said she received a request for a “Shirley Temple for delivery. Nothing else.” The singular Shirley Temple made her question how much the customer was paying for a single drink.

Some commenters called the order frivolous. Others said they, too, wish they could order a Shirley Temple from Applebee’s.

As of this writing, the content creator’s post has more than 670,000 views.

Why A Shirley Temple?

While the Shirley Temple has been a popular drink for decades, it’s recently garnered a significant amount of attention.

USA Today asked if the Shirley Temple was the “drink of 2026” in one article after brands such as Olipop and Poppi tapped into the beverage’s popularity for its own iterations. USA added a statement attributed to Vance Henderson, U.S. National Brand Ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin, which said that “They strike a cord of nostalgia, appeal to the growing sober-curious market, are quick to make and easily customizable.” 

While the dirty Shirley is an alternative for those interested in an alcohol-filled option of the beverage, there’s been a broader movement for Millenials and Gen-Z to move away from alcohol, according to ZestLab. Dry January grew by 300% from 2018 to 2025 according to the website, which is a testament to the “sober-curious” mindset. Overall, both generations are drinking less compared to others. 

Alongside that, customers have developed a growing need for fun mocktails. The Shirley Temple, a mix of ginger ale with grenadine syrup, is a classic that’s generally available at restaurants across the United States. It needs little explanation. Ordering one doesn’t require an explainer card, and it poses little risk of being mistaken for an alcoholic counterpart. That’s one reason why more and more people are turning toward the beverage.

@baked.tot before I quit Applebee's cause the manager was rude af. I wonder how much they paid for a single drink.. #shirleytemple #cherries #delivery #byebye ♬ original sound – Ariel

Are Shirley Temples really that good?

Regardless of social trends, people are ordering Shirley Temples. So what would make a person spend nearly $20 to deliver a beverage? The simple reason: They’re tasty. Commenters echoed that sentiment on Ariel’s post. 

“I’m pregnant and now i require a Shirley temple,” one viewer said.

Another viewer said the same thing. “My name is Briana H and I now need a Shirley temple,” they added.

Overall, viewers said that if they had the financial ability, they’d be willing to order a Shirley Temple by itself from Applebee’s. Multiple commenters said they ordered similar orders—minus food—because of pregnancy cravings or a general want for a specific drink.

“As a girlie who can’t drive… sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do,” a commenter said.

“No judgment bc i’ve doordashed just a mcdonald’s sprite before,” another commenter added.

The Mary Sue has reached out to Ariel via TikTok comment and Applebee’s via email for information.

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