Woman thanks Chili's for 'fixing' Autistic sister's cheeseburger

MIDVALE, Utah (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A woman from Utah took to Facebook to thank the employees at a popular restaurant chain for the kindness they showed to her 7-year-old sister.

A photo posted on Chili's Grill and Bar's Facebook page shows 7-year-old Arianna kissing a cheeseburger. According to her sister Anna's posting that was included with the photo, Arianna has Autism. Anna says the slightest change in Arianna's routine could instantly change the course of the day.

Anna and her husband brought Arianna to a Chili's in Midvale, Utah. As the waitress, who Anna identifies as a woman named Lauren, greeted the table, Arianna ordered a cheeseburger with pickles, french fries and chocolate milk. Lauren responded with a smile and told Arianna she'd be right back with her chocolate milk.

When the food arrived, Anna noticed her little sister would not touch her cheeseburger. When she asked Arianna why she wasn't eating, she said her burger was "broken" and that she needed one that was fixed. Anna realized her sister wouldn't eat the burger because it was cut in half.

Lauren soon came back to the table and Anna asked if they could order another cheeseburger. Once she learned why Arianna was disappointed in her meal, Lauren turned to her and said, "I brought you a broken cheeseburger?! You know what, I'll have them cook you a new one!"

The kindness didn't stop there. The restaurant manager soon appeared at their table, kneeled down and apologized to Arianna for giving her a broken cheeseburger.

"I heard we gave you a broken cheeseburger! I am so sorry about that," Bradley Cottermole said to the child. "We are making you a brand new one that isn't broken, with pickles! I'll bring you some french fries to munch on while you're waiting, ok?"

Lauren returned with the second cheeseburger. Arianna was elated.

"Oh, I missed you!" shouted the happy 7-year-old as she kissed her meal.

Anna snapped a photo as Arianna kissed the burger and showed Lauren what she did to make a little girl very happy. Lauren took the photo in back to the kitchen and shared it with her co-workers who couldn't help but smile at the small act of kindness that meant so much to a young girl.

"Everyone, from the hostess to the chef, played a role in what most people would think isn't a big deal," Anna recalls. "But this entirely shaped how the rest of our day would go. I know, a cheeseburger cut in half literally could make or break our day. In this case thanks to the professionalism of the crew in Midvale, it made our day."

Anna's story turned out to be a "big deal" to many people on Facebook. As of Tuesday afternoon, her post received over 130,000 shares, 32,000 comments, and 600,000 likes.

Cox Media Group