New Texas restaurant tricks fans with unique dishes – but can you spot what’s wrong?

The internet has been enchanted by a viral new Texas restaurant that makes seriously artsy food — but there’s one problem: It’s not actually real.

The Instagram account for an Austin-based restaurant called Ethos has gained popularity in recent months as thousands of people clamored to get their hands on its bizarre and delicious-looking dishes.

Ethos – which has more than 75,000 followers – often shares photos promoting its new food options, which include a croissant made to look like a Moo Deng-inspired hippo, foot-shaped pizza and chicken wings served in a bouquet.

Its Instagram bio describes it as an award-winning restaurant and even includes a link to a website where it explains that its focus is serving “healthy, delicious food that nourishes the body and soul.”

At first glance, it looks like a trendy new hotspot – but it turns out it’s all fake.

The internet has been enchanted by a viral new Texas restaurant that makes seriously artsy food — but there’s one problem: It’s not actually real

That’s right, there is no restaurant called Ethos in Texas, and the images of the supposed food it serves appear to have all been created by AI.

But many of his thousands of followers have no idea.

“The chicken wing bouquets have arrived,” Ethos captioned a post shared earlier this week promoting one of their faux dishes.

‘Looking for the perfect way to your significant other’s heart? We’ve got you covered with the ultimate combination: flowers and chicken wings.

“These bouquets are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance to snag one of these beauties.”

In the comments section, Instagram users interested in purchasing the bouquets asked questions like, “Can you mix and match flavors?” and ‘Are they available for pickup?’

Sharing an image of its hippo-shaped croissant, inspired by the popular baby hippo Moo Deng, the fake restaurant wrote: “Our latest creation is the Critter Croissant, a delicious mix of flaky layers and hippo-shaped fun.

“Perfect for brunch or a cozy snack, this edible masterpiece is almost too cute to eat (but trust me, you’ll want to)!”

The Instagram account for an Austin-based restaurant called Ethos has gained popularity in recent months as thousands of people clamor to get their hands on its bizarre dishes.

Ethos – which has 75,000 followers – often shares photos promoting its new gastronomic options, which included foot-shaped pizza and chicken wings served in a bouquet of flowers

Its Instagram bio describes it as an award-winning restaurant and includes a link to a website where it explains that it focuses on serving “healthy food that nourishes the body and soul.”

At first glance, it looks like a new fashion hotspot – but it’s all fake. There is no restaurant called Ethos in Texas, and the food images look like they were created by AI

“I need this,” one person said in the comments section, while another said, “This is adorable.”

Other dishes include pizza with Pikachu’s face drawn in cheese, a giant Mario-shaped gummy bear, meatballs served in an ice cream cone and a pie with a chicken wing sticking out of it.

On the Ethos website, it states that its “ingredients are sourced from local, sustainable farms.”

“We strive to minimize our environmental impact through ecological practices,” he adds.

‘Our carefully curated menus are a testament to our commitment to sustainability, showcasing the vibrant flavors of locally sourced ingredients from nearby farms and producers.

But many of his thousands of followers have no idea

Other dishes include a giant Mario-shaped gummy bear, meatballs served in a cone (left) and a pie with a chicken wing sticking out (right)

On the Ethos website, it states that its “ingredients are sourced from local, sustainable farms.” In the photo is one of the dishes with Pikachu’s face on a pizza

The site even has the option to chat with Ethos’ ’24/7 general manager Giuseppe Fusilli’, but when you start a conversation it actually appears to be an AI bot

It also has a ‘reservations’ page, where it states that there is ‘extremely high demand’

However, when you click ‘check availability’ you are taken to a website called eelslap.com, which is just a GIF of a man being hit in the face by an eel.

‘From our farm-fresh salads packed with seasonal greens to our succulent pasture-raised meats paired with heirloom vegetables, each dish tells a story of ethical sourcing and conscious dining.

‘We are proud to support local communities and celebrate the abundance of nature’s bounty, creating a gastronomic experience that harmonizes flavor, consciousness and the true essence of farm-to-table cuisine.’

The site even has the option to chat with Ethos’ “24/7 general manager Giuseppe Fusilli,” but when you start a conversation it actually appears to be an AI bot.

It also has a ‘bookings’ page where it states that there is ‘extremely high demand’.

‘All bookings go live at 4:30am on the first Monday of each month. To increase your chances of securing a reservation due to high demand, we suggest having multiple devices ready during the reservation process,” suggests Ethos.

However, when you click ‘check availability’ you land on a website called eelslap.com, which is just a GIF of a man being hit in the face by an eel.