Social media users have recently revealed the dinner holy trinity that we didn’t know we needed. A caesar salad, fries and an ice-cold martini are being touted online as the perfect meal. On the surface, a chaotic combo. Upon closer inspection, the triptych makes a lot of sense. 

Especially when you add in the self-care element that TikTokers are wont to do, bless them. 

User Bethany Larson sums up the modern experience with her video captioned, “POV: you have to order fries, a caesar salad, and a dirty martini because you’re just a girl in the world.”

Thousands of other creators are posting with the 2024 anthem, “You’re not sad, you just needed a caesar salad, fries, and a martini.” If we can get therapy without a referral, we’re taking it. 

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@winedinenashville *girl dinner* #nashville #nashvilletn #girldinner #imjustagirl #nashvillefood #nashvillerestaurants #nashvilletennessee #nashvilledinner ♬ i am obsessed with this – mallorie

Here’s a little break down of the meal holding us back from a breakdown. 

The caesar salad is the “Girl Math” element of the trio. Loved by all because although it contains cheese, bacon, fried bread and salt-packed anchovies, it still has the word ‘salad’ in the name and is therefore healthy (just go with it). 

Next is the fries. Everyone wants fries. Everyone is nicking a cheeky chippie whether they ordered them or not. You want the fries. You’ll eat the fries if they’re there. Just get the fries.

And the martini. If there was ever a perfect pre/post/mid-meal cocktail, it’s the martini. Sophisticated, easy to drink, and devilishly delicious. The trick is to treat the drink as a medicinal addition to your meal, rather than something to get drunk on. A sip of your ice-cold martini cuts straight through the richness of creamy salad dressing and crunchy, oily fries. Et voila! Enlightenment achieved.

Related story: Hail, Caesar! 21 creative takes on your favourite salad

If the seemingly thrown-together trio is ringing some bells, you may be harking to the Girl Dinner trend of 2023. The trend applauded creators as they took to social media to show off their eclectic meals that ranged from aesthetically pleasing to downright chaotic and we were there to celebrate them all.

The new trend takes that same whatever-I-feel-like ethos out of the glowing light of the refrigerator and into even the most accessible restaurant. From cheap and cheerful pub lunches to swanky fine-diners, you’ll be hard-pressed to find at least one menu on any city street that doesn’t feature the classics of a caesar salad and chips, and if time allows, even the greenest bartender can be walked through your martini order.

A couple of snacks, one killer drink, and all the cravings covered. We approve.

Related story: TikTok is obsessed with this dirty martini pasta recipe, here’s everything you need to know