Someone trying to popularize the Little Caesars “hack” — buying the chain’s Italian cheese bread with your last $5 left — instead got some backlash suggesting it might just not catch on.
The TikTok video celebrating the value of the cheese snack comes from creator @theecelebridee and has garnered more than 1.8 million views since it was posted on the site on Monday. In it, the creator claims that Italian cheese bread is a lifesaver when you literally have your last $5.
“It’s called cheap food,” he begins. “Every time I’m fucking broke and I’ve got $5 to my name, I go get Italian cheese bread.”
@theecelebridee I love you @LittleCaesars 🍕 #fyp #budgetmeal #foodunder5 ♬ original sound – birthday boy
He finishes the video by clarifying that it’s $4.28 — important when you’re trying to calculate tax and when you’re literally down to $5.
However, a number of commenters didn’t really see it as a hack.
“I’d buy a package of ramen to last me until my next paycheck with $5,” one pointed out.
Another shared: “At Chipotle, a kid’s quesadilla comes with 3 sides and a drink for $4.”
One, marveling at the content, commented: “Mans really said ‘every time I’m broke’.”
Others suggested items that were slightly more than $5, such as a Sam’s Club pizza that costs $7.
One chided: “I got $5 to my name and bought bread instead of a $5 smart pizza.”
A number of people responded that pizzas can no longer be had for $5 – that the regular price is in the $7-$8 range.
The comment led the creator to record TikTok’s response.
@theecelebridee Reply to @Mr.zaecrm leave me alone im break tf #fyp ♬ original sound – birthday boy
The creator noted that even if he could find a $5 pizza, it would be $5 plus tax, and with just $5, he literally wouldn’t have enough money to buy one — so he decided to get the more affordable Italian cheese bread. .
The Daily Dot reached out to the creators via TikTok and Little Caesars via email.
*First published: July 12, 2023, 6:03 PM CDT
Phil West
Phil West is a seasoned professional writer and editor and the author of two soccer books, “The United States of Soccer” and “I Believe That We Will Win,” both from The Overlook Press. His work has most recently appeared in The Striker, where he serves as managing editor, MLSSoccer.com, Next City and Texas Highways. Based in Austin, he is also a lecturer in the writing program at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
