What do you never order at a restaurant?

[-]

Actual_Banana_1083@reddit

Never order fish unless it’s a dedicated fish restaurant…

[-]

Possiblyreef@reddit

I used to work in a decently high end fish restaurant.

I very rarely order fish if I'm at restaurant now unless, like you said its a dedicated fish restaurant.

Also only if you're relatively near the sea, a good/great fish restaurant will have a reliable local supplier of the standard easily sourced stuff but they'll also be down at the local harbour at 5-6am buying things off the boats that come in that day which usually end up on the specials board

The other caveat is you need to know somewhat where/when you are. Ordering something like sardines, mackerel, hake, pollack, bass, gurnard etc in this country is fine. Ordering something like Tilapia means you'll be getting something that's been frozen and not necessarily fresh.

Equally ill never order mussels, the risk is just too high tbh.

Also if you do live near near the sea you can go down to a dock and buy direct from fisherman. It takes less than a day to learn how to appropriately cook and dress a crab or lobster and isn't actually that expensive to buy

[-]

carlovski99@reddit

A decent, if if not specialist seafood restaurant should be pretty safe too. Bonus points if they name their fish suppliers.

[-]

bunnymama7@reddit

What's the mussels risk?

[-]

whatanabsolutefrog@reddit

I've followed this rule ever since I got food poisoning from a seafood risotto in Bella Italia 💀

[-]

DameKumquat@reddit

Never go to Bella Italia...

[-]

blueroses8000@reddit

That reminds me of a horrid waiter we had at Bella Italia (many years ago, I would never go there now) who ended the whole awful experience with him by giving me my leftover prawn linguini at the bottom a huge (and obviously see through) freezer bag.

[-]

bornfromanegg@reddit

I mean, it’s practical.

[-]

Plumb121@reddit

Chicken or pasta, unless it's linguini. Eat lots at home so don't have that when I go out

[-]

prustage@reddit

The second-cheapest wine.

It's always the most popular because people don't want to seem stingy by buying the cheapest, but they don't want to spend a lot. So they end up buying the second cheapest. Restaurants know this, so this is the wine with the biggest markup. It may even be a poorer quality wine than the cheapest.

[-]

carlovski99@reddit

There should be no stigma in having the house wine. I'm glad to see that with the popularity of of french brasserie style restaurants its getting back to what it should be, a well chosen wine they buy in bulk, that goes with most of the food. A few places will just charge you buy exactly how much you drink too, by measuring the carafe.

Ordering off the wine list should be because you want something different, not necessarily 'Better'.

I'm trying to remember which restaurant I saw recently where the second cheapest wines are literally called 'second cheapest white' and 'second cheapest red'. Quite funny.

[-]

77201@reddit

Not at ours - all markups are the same amount, and we change the wine menu quite regularly due to season, supply, trends etc. but we do have a sommelier who is in charge of the wine menu

[-]

Gothywinelady@reddit

When I worked in wine we always made sure the cheapest wine (house pour) was fantastic. And had it at the same price as a basic pint of lager. It was also not available in supermarkets.

[-]

Cakeo@reddit

My wife and I always order the cheapest unless we're feeling fancy. No one working cares what wine you order. Interesting about the second point, never heard that before.

[-]

bornfromanegg@reddit

Interesting.

r/LowStakesConspiracies

[-]

Obvious-Water569@reddit

That's a devious little trick!

I avoid bottles of wine all together because the markup is so outrageous.

[-]

whatanabsolutefrog@reddit

I generally don't order pasta, especially if I'm in a standard chain Italian type place. I always end up feeling that l I could've cooked something just as good myself at home!

[-]

Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

I only order pasta if it's a really good place that makes their own stuffed pasta or something.

[-]

carson63000@reddit

Yeah I ain’t filling my own ravioli, that’s way too much work. I’ll gladly hit that at a restaurant if the filling sounds interesting.

[-]

Arsewhistle@reddit

Yeah, home made pasta is much nicer than freeze dried, and that is time consuming to do at home, and a tad messy too

[-]

chipscheeseandbeans@reddit

Have you tried Cecco? It’s dried but tastes like fresh

[-]

acripaul@reddit

You get pasta at the Italian, no where else

IMO

[-]

Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

But only a good Italian, not a chain.

[-]

GoHomeCryWantToDie@reddit

And not as a main course.

[-]

cbren88@reddit

I’m completely with you, but once recently I went to a neighbourhood Italian place and ordered the bolognese knowing it would probably be something special, it absolutely was.

[-]

PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

This is it.

The pasta itself is easy, but a decent Italian place will have amazing sauces.

I suspect part of it is actually just quality of ingredients. People in the UK will buy cheap tomatoes and they just don't have the rich flavour you'll get from a decent restaurant.

I like to think I make a good lasagne but I've been to Italy and had lasagne and it is another world.

[-]

Few-Proposal-4681@reddit

Funnily enough some of the worst pasta I’ve had has been in Italy. I’ve been to Italy twice now and both times been disappointed with the food.

[-]

WhiteDiamondK@reddit

You have to be careful in Italy. There are some dreadful slop restaurants in tourist areas in big cities.

It’s like tourists going to London and eating in the Angus Steakhouse or Garfunkels (RIP).

I remember being in Venice and getting lost down the back streets and having some great food at half the price of the tourist areas. (And no €10 surcharge because there is music playing outside).

[-]

DaVirus@reddit

Venice is my favourite city in Europe, and it's exactly because of this. Go down a back alley and look for restaurants with no English in sight. You will be very pleased.

[-]

PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Interesting - what was bad about it?

[-]

Cakeo@reddit

Nationality doesn't make you a good cook contrary to what reddit seems to believe. Is it really that surprising that every country has bad restaurants?

[-]

PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

You've just made that up and not actually read my comments.

Obviously every country has bad restaurants.

I said it was interesting and asked why it was bad. I didn't say I was surprised.

[-]

Cakeo@reddit

I read you found it interesting, which in a way could be taken as you found it surprising since you didn't expect it. If you expected it then why would you be interested. Perfectly normal English and clearly I misinterpreted you. You don't need to have a fit over it.

It was bad because bad food exists, surely you aren't asking for specific restaurant reviews lol

[-]

PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

Apology accepted.

[-]

Few-Proposal-4681@reddit

There was one dish in particular that was just really in appetising. It was a few years ago so my memory is hazy but, the sauce was yellow/orange, watery and bland. I could probably make something similar by blending roasted butternut squash with water and no salt. And the pasta was dry, not al-dente, just kind of dry.

[-]

bornfromanegg@reddit

Worst ever pizza I ever received was in Italy - it was microwaved. Absolute disgusting.

And on the beautiful Amalfi coast, I saw my first ever pizza with French fries on it.

Also on that holiday, we stumbled upon a restaurant that appeared to just be someone’s house, and had one off the best meals I’ve ever had.

[-]

julemeister@reddit

You should have gone to Naples for do fried pizza. Best pizza I have ever had. Naples is quite the foody place though.

[-]

CanWeNapPlease@reddit

I went to Naples to visit Mount Vesuvius with a tour group. We stopped at a restaurant together, I'm pretty sure had the word "tourist" in the name. I thought oh boy, this is gonna be like those money grab tourist trap shitty restaurants in Rome.

Nope. Holy shit, it was the best pizza I ever had. Maybe it's not as good as other Naples pizzas (I've nothing to compare to) but the bar either way must have been high regardless. Everyone in the group was talking about it (from a mix of nationalities).

People aren't kidding when they say the best pizzas are in Naples.

[-]

michaelisnotginger@reddit

It's the sulphur in the water from Vesuvius

[-]

julemeister@reddit

Naples is definitely worth a visit, amazing place. I only went to go to Herculaneum but glad I did.

[-]

waywardsundown@reddit

Had this experience at a tiny family-run Italian restaurant in west Wales. Ordered the spaghetti pomadoro, and it was the most sublime thing I’ve ever tasted. So simple, but so delicious.

[-]

cbren88@reddit

Hell yeah.

[-]

MouldyFruit2023@reddit

Yeah I imagine that jar of bolognaise sauce mixed in with dry cooked pasta you do is alot better than a restaurant 👍

[-]

Mundo7@reddit

some people actually know how to cook

[-]

Tattycakes@reddit

I’m not a great cook so it’s nice to have something done properly by someone else. Also, gives you some ideas of new things to try at home! Had an amazing Tuscan chicken orzotto the other week, would love to try that myself!

[-]

Unhappy-Common@reddit

The only time you should order pasta is in Naples 🤤

[-]

Time-Mode-9@reddit

And the probs are always really small

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

Only because if you're like me seemingly incapable of making the correct amount of pasta. Always too much.

[-]

h00dman@reddit

Guilty as charged.

[-]

UndulatingUnderpants@reddit

In general I don't go to Italian restaurants especially the chain ones, it always feels like I'm having g a high end microwave meal.

[-]

Paul-Ramsden@reddit

Because in most cases you are. They're premade meals heated up.

[-]

geeered@reddit

I don't mind so much if the restaurant made.them themselves... it's when they are straight out of the Brakes catalogue. Even then, if it's really cheap I don't mind too much, but when it wasn't that cheap and my sausages arrived with microwave "burn" from overcooking I was not impressed.

[-]

One-Ad853@reddit

So are most restaurants these days 😅

[-]

OohRahMaki@reddit

This!! We decided it was better to go out to eat less frequently and go somewhere better IMO.

[-]

smiley6125@reddit

Same for me with a steak unless it is really somewhere high end. I’m not going to a pub and spending £35 for someone to ruin a ribeye.

[-]

GodOfThunder888@reddit

Same for me, I generally don't order something that I can easily make at home myself.

I love a pasta carbonara, but it takes 15 min to make at home, so why would I pay the restaurant price for it. I consider myself a decent cook as well, so if I can make a good version of the dish at home without too much fuss, I would never order it. It would be different if I would be at an Italian restaurant though, but I think I would still choose a dish that I am less likely to eat at home.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Yeah I feel the same too. If I feel I can just make it at home it isn't worth ordering.

[-]

nabster1973@reddit

All you need is a small aubergine…

[-]

Namiweso@reddit

I always thought pasta was priced accordingly (cheaper) so I never really got this.

That was until my neighbour invited me to the Italian restaurant she works at. Ordered the tortellini. I said a few days later it was nice but reminded me of the supermarket ones.

She straight up blurted out that sometimes they get it from Tesco next door. It was 100% the Tesco tortellini.

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

Came here to say this. I'm sure the pasta is lovely. But whenever I've had it it's just the same as I can make at home.

Usually when there is pasta there is pizza too and properly cooked pizza I can't do at home.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Yeah I feel the same too. Same way I don't order lasagne, cottage pie, any pie etc. If I feel I can just make it at home. Usually order something I don't make at home.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Yeah I feel the same too. Same way I don't order lasagne, cottage pie, any pie etc.

[-]

carson63000@reddit

Interesting - mocktails are the thing I never order (even though I hardly drink alcohol). They always feel like a massive price inflation on a glass of juice, just to stick an umbrella in it. At least with cocktails there’s a couple of pours of liquors I don’t have in the cabinet at home.

Personally I also almost never order a steak. I know that if I do, it will probably be great - better than one I grill at home. But only a bit better. And a lot more expensive. I want a restaurant meal than I can’t make myself.

[-]

DustInTheMachine@reddit

I'll not order anything that I usually make myself - so spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne, tacos, burritos that kind of "simple" food.

I want something I don't usually have, so it stands out as a treat .

[-]

Own-Jeweler3169@reddit

Usually food tbh.

[-]

Odd_Championship7286@reddit

“Shareable” plates. There’s not enough to really share so you have to get 1 plate per person but they’re usually more expensive than just getting a meal for yourself.

[-]

SdanoG@reddit

We were out a few weeks back and two of the crowd ordered dim sum starter combination, there were about 8 steamed dumplings in total various types £20.49…….. disgusted, atcthe chinese wholesale place I can get two bags of 50 each dumplings to steam at home

[-]

Mundo7@reddit

oh wow, you can buy frozen product at a cheap supermarket cheaper than a restaurant sells cooked product at?! tell me more!

[-]

SdanoG@reddit

😂😎😂

[-]

LegolasleChat@reddit

I hate sharing plates with a fiery passion. I like to eat at my pace, and not having to work out who has eaten what so far.

[-]

Thats_my_nirnroot@reddit

Nachos.

They're always dreadful sloppy muck

[-]

Fingers_9@reddit

What really fucks me off is that recently if you order nachos, or loaded chips for that matter, you get that horrible cheese sauce instead of grated cheddar like you used to.

[-]

FallowfieldPark@reddit (OP)

And I’m certain they buy in cheap nachos and toppings, microwaves it and here you go £12 please. Warm nachos, soggy toppings and cheese with cold jalapenos

[-]

Optikal-Omega@reddit

Former chef here. That is exactly what happens. Occasionally you'll get a kitchen that throws them under a grill to melt, but most often it's chef mike doing the job. The nachos themself are ridiculously cheap.

[-]

ultraboomkin@reddit

I ordered a $7 plate of nachos in a bar in the US last year and it was one of the best things I ate all year

[-]

discoveredunknown@reddit

I get annoyed at a mountain of nachos then enough dip and cheese for about 7 of them. Always terrible.

[-]

The_Blip@reddit

The dips are also usually just blobbed on a two or three corn chips each as well.

[-]

SeoulGalmegi@reddit

A mocktail seems significantly worse value than a cocktail.

I'd probably skip drinks at a restaurant full stop if I wanted to watch my wallet.

[-]

BeatificBanana@reddit

I suppose it depends on how much value you think the alcohol adds. I know prices can vary but a mocktail is usually a good £4-5 cheaper than a cocktail. So unless you believe they're adding significantly more alcohol than the extra £5 would cover, I'd argue they're about the same value.

[-]

Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

People often act like alcohol has some intrinsic value and makes things worth it, I know I've been guilty of hesitating to order a fancy juice (not a mocktail, never even consider those lol) and then thinking it's probably actually cheaper than a glass of wine which I wouldn't hesitate to order.

[-]

ProtoplanetaryNebula@reddit

It’s about the framing of it, you think that way, others think it’s £12-£15 of juice and ice in a small glass.!

[-]

Da5ren@reddit

The mocktail prices are ridiculous. As a non-drinker is sometimes nice to feel included but no chance with those prices. Most of it is fruit juice.

[-]

SeoulGalmegi@reddit

It's enough to turn you to drink.....

[-]

FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I agree. If you drink alcohol you might as well spent an extra £3 and get some vodka or rum in it. Mocktails are an absolute rip-off. £8 for fruit juice.

[-]

HachiTofu@reddit

Dessert. Every restaurant seems to have the same 5 options. It’ll all be pre-made, microwaved shite you could’ve bought from Lidl for £2, chucked on a small plate and artistically drizzled with a chocolate squiggles.

[-]

RelaxKarma@reddit

Steak, Pasta, Pho or anything I can make exactly how I like it at home.

[-]

waveform06@reddit

Dont order the thing that they are not specialists for.
Eg dont order steak in a pasta place, vege fod in a steak place, pasta in a fish place
And cocktails not in a cocktail bar.

[-]

underwater-sunlight@reddit

I krder what I enjoy, regardless of whether I can do it at home. My wife usually orders fish. She has a small appetite but can eat more fish than most meats, we dont have it a lot at home either so it feels more like a treat for her

[-]

Teembeau@reddit

Anything easy to cook. Baffles me that people go out and have steak.

[-]

h00dman@reddit

If I'm treating myself to a nice breakfast, I never bother ordering scrambled eggs.

Even if I say so myself, my scrambled eggs are fantastic;

Firstly I pop two slices of sourdough bread into the toaster.

Then I take 3 large eggs and crack them into my saucepan, add 3-4 heaped tea spoons of butter (teaspoon instead of tablespoon for smaller pieces for faster melting), set the hob to a medium heat, and I gently mix it all together.

I use a spatula specifically so I can reach the edges of the saucepan, so when the butter has melted and as the egg starts to solidify on the bottom and edges of the pan, I'm effectively wiping those areas clean by scraping the egg off it and mixing it into the remaining runny mix.

The moment the toast pops out I move the saucepan off the heat, quickly grab the toast and very generously butter it on a plate, and then it's straight back to the egg back on the saucepan.

As soon as the egg and butter mix is no longer see through and has started to turn into a smooth, yellow, lumpy but not-quite fluffy, glazed consistency, I take it off the heat, add a generous tablespoon of crème fraîche, mix it in evenly, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and then I gently pour it over the toast.

If I have chives then I'll finely chop up a few and sprinkle them on top, and it's time to serve.

I've been lucky enough to stay in 5 star hotels for work trips and I can tell you right now, I have never had scrambled eggs in any of those places, that were as good as the ones I make at home.

[-]

Mundo7@reddit

you ruined it with the crème fraiche

[-]

Zubi_Q@reddit

I don't order fizzy drinks nowadays, just drink water to save £3+

[-]

WGD23@reddit

Things I can easily & often cook at home, such as steak (unless a dedicated steak place) or a cheese board. The term restaurant is doing a lot of work here though..

[-]

dwair@reddit

I agree, apart from the cheese board. I obviously depends on the restaurant but for £10-15 you can get a selection of cheeses that would cost £50+ to put together at home.

I love cheese but I rarely have more than two types on the go at any given time. Having 5 or 6 curated cheeses and some luxury crackers is a luxury.

Sure you can get half a kilo of Cathederal City for a fiver, but that's not the point.

[-]

revolut1onname@reddit

Very, very rarely order steak. I like how I cook it at home.

[-]

4tunabrix@reddit

A jacket potato. Just terrible value for money. A potato is like 1p for a restaurant and the toppings are the most basic ingredients ever.

[-]

FallowfieldPark@reddit (OP)

I used to love Spuds U Like but they closed down. Then I started to make my own (watched YouTube) and my potatoes are always hard, no matter how long I cook it.

[-]

4tunabrix@reddit

Tried a metal skewer through the middle? Or easiest tip is to microwave them then crisp them up in the oven. Cuts cook time from an hour to like 15 minutes.

[-]

chefshoes@reddit

anything i can make at home or have regularly. i treat restaurants as an opportunity to try new dishes.

but never order salad, over priced, or olives or any other starters that are cheap but are pricey on the menu

[-]

No_Group5174@reddit

Anything that I would normally make at home.

[-]

AromaticVacation3077@reddit

Tiramisu. I don't see the point without the booze.

[-]

Mehchu_@reddit

I don’t order paid drinks at all. I am very happy with water and if I’m spending an extra £20-30 on food rather than alcohol. A £90pp meal with water is significantly more enjoyable than a £60pp meal with wine/cocktails.

[-]

Significant_Tea2780@reddit

Mr Brightside without question. Doesn't matter what mood you're in, the windows go down and you're suddenly 19 again.

[-]

miked999b@reddit

I think you may be in the wrong sub 😅

[-]

Baphomethea@reddit

Dessert, because portions are inhumane and I don't like to waste food that I paid for so I skin dessert…unless I order only dessert.

[-]

FallowfieldPark@reddit (OP)

I feel like the usual restaurants buy in their desserts in bulk and just serves it. Unless you go to a high end restaurant then they may have their own pastry chefs who makes their desserts, but then again I don’t expect Wagamama, Nando’s, Bella Italia to have their own dedicated chefs who makes desserts

[-]

Baphomethea@reddit

So it doesn't bother me if they buy them rather than make them, but then again in queen inn they make their desserts and I see why it is better.

[-]

Electrical_Bid_3018@reddit

Risotto. It’s one dish I can cook really well myself, I’d rather have something I wouldn’t be able to do at home.

[-]

Important-Call6087@reddit

Salad. I love salads at home but ones in restaurants are usually so bare bones and put together without much thought or effort.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

I never order anything I see as easy and could cook at home.

Cottage/shepherd's pie, lasagne, bolognese, sausage and mash, mac and cheese, pie and chips etc.

[-]

Falloffingolfin@reddit

I partly agree but Mac & Cheese aside, when you find top tier examples of what you've listed, they're exceptional. You just need to know when to take the risk.

We spend a lot of time in the Yorkshire Dales as we live close by and I can name five or six pubs out there where you'd be an idiot not to order a British classic. The meat was generally having a lovely time in a field a quarter of a mile away 24 hrs before you eat it, and the quality always seems way higher than even our good local butchers. Every element on the plate (including gravy and a lot of the condiments) are made in house and locally, and as easy as they are to cook well at home, no one's beating a proper country pub at home when it comes to the classics. Same with Bolognese. Should be a crime to order out, but my favourite local Italian (run by a family from Naples) do one so good that it's almost impossible to look past.

I do generally agree with you though but there are exceptions where you should take the risk. The reward is incredibly high if you drop on because you can't beat god tier comfort food.

[-]

Bullshit_Brummie@reddit

Steak. If you buy good quality meat from a butcher, I think most people with a little practice can cook fantastic steak at home - especially when they learn to rest it for longer than seems feasible. At a restaurant order fancier stuff you'd struggle to replicate at home.

[-]

1dogtoomany31@reddit

Couldn't agree more, I refuse to order steak as I can make them just as nice at home for a quarter of the price.

[-]

devensega@reddit

Steak or anything similar that's easy to cook or has few ingredients. I can do it at home so I always order something that's too much faff to bother with in your own kitchen.

[-]

thatstoomuchsauce@reddit

Anything I could easily make at home - sandwiches, jacket potatoes, etc. I always order something that feels like a treat.

[-]

ConfusedMaverick@reddit

The better you get at cooking, the harder it is to be impressed by eating out 😥

I have to go for something regional like Vietnamese that I don't know how to make!

[-]

No_Art_1977@reddit

Il the same. £9 for some bread and cheese or a spud which is pennies- No way!! I understand they can’t serve at cost but it’s daylight robbery

[-]

allabouttheplants@reddit

Never order a salad unless they are known for good salads (need to see it first), never order English food in an Indian/Asian restaurant, never order nachos unless I know they are good. Went to a couple of pubs in Germany in the last few years and their nachos were amazing, lots of toppings/cheese ours have gone downhill!

[-]

terryjuicelawson@reddit

Cheese board. It is often more expensive than a normal pudding or starter, and it rarely has very interesting cheese on it. You get news stories occasionally of people getting a baked Camembert and they find underneath it was from Tesco or something. What do they expect, the place to make their own cheese? Either you pay or just do it yourself. I'll go the latter.

[-]

AvatarIII@reddit

A salad, I'm not spending £10+ on a handful of leaves.

[-]

Justme-scotland@reddit

I never order hot chocolate fudge cake, it’s weird but to me it’s claggy and a mess waiting to happen.

[-]

Buddy-Matt@reddit

Steak.

I can cook a steak at home, and it'll be done exactly how I like it. Paying 15/16 quid to play the "how overdone will they do it thia time?" game isn't one I like to play.

[-]

Temporary-Zebra97@reddit

Pasta, I don't enjoy paying £18 for a bowl of 50p worth of ingredients that taste bland and stodgy.

[-]

Cha_r_ley@reddit

I have a personal rule to never order chicken. It’s probably the meat I most often cook with at home, so if I’m going out to eat, I want something I’m unlikely to make myself.

The exception to this is if we’re at KFC lol. I don’t think I could recreate that 😅

I also generally don’t order steak unless I’m at a steak-specialist restaurant. I order my steak blue and I have been served way too many overcooked* steaks at restaurants with broader menus.

*overcooked for ME, anyway 😅

[-]

horoscopical@reddit

Well also, if you avoid chicken at KFC, your menu options become fairly limited.

[-]

DeirdreBarstool@reddit

Same! I’ve never had a steak out as good as an M&S thick cut ribeye that I can cook perfectly at home, for less than half the price.

[-]

MrPatch@reddit

Once I learned how to cook steak I regretted buying it out almost every time since.

[-]

FunkyYoghurt@reddit

Chicken is a shit meat let's be honest. It needs seasoning and all sorts just to taste okay.

[-]

sookietea@reddit

Chicken is mine too! I’m sure restaurant quality is better than anything I make but it’s such a staple in my house, what’s the point? That and pasta. Again, sure it’s probably better but meh.

[-]

AirlineSevere7456@reddit

I have an intolerance to most seafood, like squid, lobster etc, my face will puff up every time. So avoid those kind of foods. Prawns, fish in general and mussels are fine. Other than that I'm eclectic in my food tastes and will try most dishes.

[-]

simonk1905@reddit

Burgers.

Burgers made at home are always superior.

One thing I think is always good value is a Chicken Avocado and Bacon salad.

In my experience there is always a good amount of each ingredient and salad and dressing. Rarely do I get food envy if I order the CAB salad.

[-]

Happiest_Mango24@reddit

shepherd's/cottage pie

I love it, but I don't like peas, and 99% of the time, it has peas in it when you get it at restaurants

[-]

Vast_Association_912@reddit

Skip drinks, starters, and desserts if you’re budgeting and focus on a good main that feels worth the money.

[-]

Final_Flounder9849@reddit

I’d rather skip mains and have starter and pud!

[-]

limpingdba@reddit

I'd rather skip it all and have drinks

[-]

Final_Flounder9849@reddit

Babycham by the bucket load!

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Whatever you fancy :)

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Whatever floats your boat.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

Whatever floats your boat.

[-]

ConsiderMyTimbers@reddit

Oh you want them to order water?

[-]

OkTechnician4610@reddit

Any alcohol way over priced or anything that’s going to stain my clothes as I can almost guarantee I will drop something on myself.

[-]

grapo2001@reddit

Pasta. Always feels overpriced for something you can create at home easily.

[-]

YouSayWotNow@reddit

Same, cocktails. I rarely order as they're usually £10+ and I'd rather spend that money on good food!

I rarely order salad, same as you. Would have to be something phenomenal for me to do so.

And I don't order things that we can easily do at home.

[-]

WhiteDiamondK@reddit

Pasta. (Except for lasagne).

I make a cracking pasta sauce from scratch at home so I’m not paying £15 for the same thing in a restaurant.

Lasagne is different, it’s a lot of hassle to make a good lasagne from scratch so I’ll often have that.

[-]

iron-muppet@reddit

Anything with goats cheese.

I look at the veggie options, as I'd like to eat more beans/legumes/tofu style things, but they always seem to contain cheese, more cheese or goats cheese, so I select a non-veg meal instead.

Why can't restaurants do nice things with lentils, beans, fresh tomatoes, I dunno? Anything except cheese.

[-]

iffyClyro@reddit

Tap water is free though.

[-]

_LazyBrewer@reddit

Steak. I've worked hospitality sector for 15 years in various forms (brewer/chef/barman) and honestly unless I'm in a super wanky place do8ng 18 quid small plates and fillet minoin I'm not ordering that overpriced sirloin which honestly I literally eat for breakfast. Usually chefs get my order wrong coz they don't know what rare actually is. It's not a cold raw fucking steak. 30 quid for a thin cut shitty chefs larder frozen steak that's a noooooooo thank you

Soup of the day Usually come out of a bookers tin which is acceptable if the starter is 5 to 7 quid I feel but when they try n bang out a soup for 12 quid n put some cream in it to make it look cheffy I'm not ordering it.

Chicken Casear salad again (i actually just hate having to make this one aswell 😂🤷‍♂️)

Break it down, 2kg of chicken is a 10er at 8 breast a pack that's 1.25 each. Salad leaves probably make it up to probably 3 quid in ingredients (please don't tell me about how business works and chefs need paying etc) They then charge you 15 quid for the fuxking leaves of the salad without the breawt which is an additional 10er on top.

I can go on but I've only just woken up

Think imma have a vape n chill 😂 thank for rage baiting me at 8am this morning

[-]

astrid_rons@reddit

I never order things that I also cook at home, such as pasta. I am a decent cook, so when in restaurants I want to eat something different or too complicated for me to cook

[-]

Ok_Introduction_1882@reddit

I never order jacket potatoes. 1 because its what I have if I can't be bothered to cook a proper meal and 2 because im never sure if they are freshly cooked on the day. A re heated spud is the worst thing ever.

[-]

clfhw@reddit

If I’m just out for a casual meal by myself, I’ll almost never order starter/dessert/drinks, and just have the main.

The main is what I’m there for, and if it means I end up spending a third of what I otherwise would, then I can justify eating out more often.

When with friends I’ll just follow what everyone else does as it’s more fun that way.

[-]

Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

I love starters personally, sometimes I'll order two instead of a main.

[-]

Footelbowarmshin@reddit

I do this sometimes too, or a starter and a bread side dish, like a focacia or a garlic pizza bread.

[-]

bornfromanegg@reddit

You can’t beat a good starter.

[-]

OneDayIWillThrive@reddit

I do this too, love a selection of starters instead of one main!

[-]

iamabigtree@reddit

When I was a teenager / 20s I could put away a starter / main and dessert handily. But if I have a starter now invariably I'll struggle with my main, and I want to enjoy it not struggle.

[-]

Helena_Handcart1@reddit

Anything I can easily and cheaply make for myself at home. If I’m paying someone to cook it for me, it’s going to be something I’m not sure how to cook well, myself.

[-]

Cakeo@reddit

I'll just oder whatever I want that day because I'm at a restaurant with friends and family, but usually something different. I don't get caught up in having a melt down over whether I could make a better steak pie than the pub I'm at.

[-]

Footelbowarmshin@reddit

I don't order burgers, most burgers are just too big to manage to eat, I don't go out to have a challenge to eat. They're also just not that exciting and I get bored before I'm done.

[-]

PKblaze@reddit

I'm likely to skip dessert. I just don't care much for it.

[-]

DeirdreBarstool@reddit

I would almost always get a cheeseboard for dessert than something sweet.

[-]

TipsyPhippsy@reddit

Pudding used to be my favourite, but I've gone off it more the older I've got.

[-]

useralreadytaken@reddit

Cheese and biscuits for dessert.

[-]

Kaioxygen@reddit

Something that doesn't fit then menu. Italian dish in a chinese, Indian in French restaurant.

There's no way they know how to cook that.

[-]

Obvious-Water569@reddit

Bottles of wine.

The markup they have on that shit is obscene. To get a halfway decent bottle you'll be spending more than the rest of the meal combined.

[-]

simiesky@reddit

Steak. It’s too easy to cook an excellent steak at home. I want to eat something I can’t cook.

[-]

yubnubster@reddit

Dessert, I'm always too full.

[-]

Rabbit-1989@reddit

Anything I can make myself easily at home. Lasagne. Carbonara. Grilled chicken. Etc

[-]

Spottyjamie@reddit

Soft drinks, if im not boozing ill order tap water

[-]

Kamoebas@reddit

Salad. £16 quid for some leaves and a bit of chicken? No thanks.

[-]

r99c@reddit

Steak. Expensive at restaurants but I can make a nicer and better one at home with a better sear.

[-]

Vast-Heron8963@reddit

Curry

[-]

melanie110@reddit

I never order anything that I have at home so it broadens the horizons and try new stuff

[-]

Puzzled-Job9556@reddit

If I imposed rules on myself of what I could/couldn't have whilst out, I just wouldn't bother.

[-]

AndrewHinds67@reddit

An oil and filter change and screen top up.

[-]

SpaceCatSociety@reddit

I’m confused

[-]

AndrewHinds67@reddit

I was making a flippant comment. It's blatantly obvious that you don't order anything to do with a car service in a restaurant.

[-]

SpaceCatSociety@reddit

Never order pudding

[-]

Sleepyllama23@reddit

I don’t order soup or spaghetti because it’s too messy to eat in public. I also try to order something I wouldn’t normally eat at home. I keep an eye on the price too and avoid anything I feel is overly expensive for me

[-]

SpaceCatSociety@reddit

I’m confused how soup is a messy food. Usually I order soup if it’s a starter option because it fills you up and so I’ll eat less of a main

[-]

Significant_Tea2780@reddit

Cocktails, same reason as you. £12 for mostly ice and a measure feels mad when a pint is half that. Stick to the wine list and put the savings into a proper starter.

[-]

easterbunni@reddit

Mashed potato. It'll be smash

[-]

moreglumthanplum@reddit

Soup. I’m not wasting a course on a savoury beverage in a bowl.

[-]

kiradax@reddit

Macaroni cheese, it's never as nice as what my mum makes lol. Also lentil soup for the same reason except it's my dad's I like

[-]

DampFlange@reddit

Steak, I can always prepare it better at home.

[-]

SeaworthinessNeat516@reddit

Steak. Ridiculously expensive and something I do well with little effort at home. I'd rather eat something more complex that I can't or haven't cooked myself.

[-]

Grouchy_Conclusion45@reddit

Pasta, salad, seafood, alcohol

[-]

Upstairs-Apricot-786@reddit

Mussels. I love them but had an incident in a restaurant where I swallowed a bit of shell that stuck in my throat and was very lucky a passing woman grabbed me and thumped my back so hard it shot out. The will never be able to thank her so much but can’t face eating them again although I love them xx

[-]

tmr89@reddit

Pasta. Hugely overpriced for what it is. And most is easily recreatable at home which makes it feel less special

[-]

theModge@reddit

Generally I try not to go too far outside what the restaurant is good at, so never order curry in a pub or the token English option in an Indian.

Otherwise anything I cook well at home I tend to avoid, but things I don't think I do so well or even at all I tend to go for. This does mean I eat a lot of liver and so on when out because the rest of my family wouldn't eat it if I cooked it for them. That and whatever cuisine the restaurant we've gone to does

[-]

kernowgringo@reddit

Steak. I just feel like I could cook that at home to just ad good a standard so what's the point of paying over the odds to have someone else cook it.

[-]

upadownpipe@reddit

Lasagne. Always think it's better homemade.

Nowadays, steak. For the price you pay in a restaurant I know I can definitleh do a close enough job to what gets served

[-]

nihilistkitty@reddit

Steak. Its expensive and I get bored eating it. I don't see the value for money but its the other half's go to

[-]

Due_Garlic_3190@reddit

I always order something I wouldn’t easily make at home. So wouldn’t order standard pasta dishes, or baked fish with veg etc. I always want to try new things

[-]

FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I'm confused. A cocktail is a rip-off but a fancy fruit juice for £8 is fine? Okay.

I never order dessert. I prefer a starter and main.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

A cocktail is £15. Juice is £8.

[-]

FunkyYoghurt@reddit

Wow I never understood maths before your comment. Thank you for missing the point.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

No need for the rudeness.

They want a nice drink and still want to enjoy themselves but still save a few quid.

[-]

YchYFi@reddit

You were confused about why someone would order the cheaper drink over the £15 cocktail.

[-]

llamasncheese@reddit

Its not so much about the value, but the cold hard cost. Ops not trying to get good value for money necessarily, theyre just trying to spend a little less and still enjoy something.

[-]

blueroses8000@reddit

They’re both inflated prices but it is cheaper for him to get that as a treat is what he’s saying.

[-]

FunkyYoghurt@reddit

I understand that. I'm not stupid. What is stupid is thinking fruit juice for £8 is okay but an extra £3 to add a spirit is crossing the line.

[-]

gunbo3000@reddit

I've leaned away from starters and desserts a lot recently unless there's something on the menu I'm really craving. Starters are often ludicrously expensive for what they actually are. Desserts are just bought in bulk pre-made much of the time (appreciate this is likely true for much of the food you eat out mind you...)

I also always used to fancy a second pint with dinner if drinking but now find I often regret it or end up rushing it when I'm too full!

[-]

Sleepyllama23@reddit

Starters are like a mini main course you eat before the real main course and fills you up too much before your main meal. (Unless you’re at a fancy place where portions are small)

[-]

Kind_Shift_8121@reddit

I just don’t really bother eating out anymore. Maybe once or twice a year the Mrs and I will go somewhere really nice and have a proper slap up meal. Otherwise, I can never get away from the thought that I could make something better myself.

Cooking is a skill but even a small amount of effort and research can produce some amazing results. I’m not exceptional though, so I’m happy to pay a lot for very high quality food, but only as a special treat.

[-]

Designer_Government4@reddit

Depends on your definition of a ‘restaurant’ but I’ve never ordered a fillet of fish at McDonalds after working there (admittedly it was 24 years ago) but the amount of time they sat in the warm tray - despite the rotation policy - was insane!)

[-]

theresabearonmychair@reddit

I generally don’t get a starter. I wouldn’t have room for a pudding if I ate a starter

[-]

MahatmaAndhi@reddit

Steak.

I only like it if it's really well done, like a dog's chew toy, but it always comes with pink in the middle.

[-]

lookhereisay@reddit

Stuff I could cook at home. I know I might not make it as great (but it really does depend on the restaurant!) but good enough. So pastas, salads, chicken and veg type dishes.

We only go out to eat for birthdays or our anniversary. We tend to go for Indian, Thai or Chinese because it’s stuff they will always cook better than us at home.

[-]

FallowfieldPark@reddit (OP)

I’m Thai and you can buy Thai curry paste (green, red curry etc) and all you have to do is add coconut milk (add water if too thick) and your meat/veg. Might not taste 100% like in the restaurant but it will be close, upon practice ofc.

[-]

lookhereisay@reddit

Yeah we do that pretty regularly at home (or tikka paste for Indian) but god I love the little extra bits which I’m never going to be able to make at home.

We have a great family-run Thai place nearby and it’s just amazing. I would eat there every day if I could.

[-]

BungadinRidesAgain@reddit

Beer or soft drinks, with some exceptions. Beer is too filling and will likely be an overpriced bottle or can, and often doesn't add anything to the meal. Same with fizzy drinks. Wine (to pair with the food) and tap water.

[-]

NuisancePenguin44@reddit

I never order fish.

[-]

Spiritual-Peach-4032@reddit

I don’t tend to order things I cook at home and can make to a high standard

[-]

Branch_Same@reddit

If I go out for breakfast or brunch I don’t order poached eggs because they invariably mess them up and use poor quality eggs ( I have hens so always have super fresh high quality)

Also stay away from steak the price is eye watering and usually skimpy and thin -for the same money we can have twice as much cut properly at the butchers.

[-]

Hugh_Jorgan2474@reddit

If I'm paying I never order steak. It's always one of the most expensive items on the menu but it's something that you can easily cook at home, just buy a decent piece of meat and throw it in a frying pan for a few minutes, some chips in the air fryer and you have the same meal for quarter of the price.

If my boss is paying though I'm getting the big boy tomahawk.

[-]

Paradiddles123@reddit

Usually I find that mains are £20-40. I do agree that cocktails are often overpriced, especially if they use cheaper spirits.

[-]

IrritablePowell@reddit

I never order something we cook really well at home because disappointment will inevitably follow.

[-]

FabulousEnglishman@reddit

My general rule is that if it's easy for me to make it at home then I tend not to order it.

This applies mainly to curries, pastas, and pizzas. I'm more flexible on steaks and burgers due to restaurants having higher quality meats.

Don't order a steak unless it's a steakhouse Don't order seafood if it's not a seafood restaurant.

No alcohol. I'm a heavy drinker but the prices of alcohol in restaurants can be ridiculous. If I'm in the mood I'll have a beer at a pub afterwards.

I almost never get dessert and only tend to have a starter if it's part of a promotion.

[-]

When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.