# Diners, Please! Enough with the Broccoli! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [June 26, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373 "2024-06-26T19:32:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/1 "2024-06-26T19:32:18Z")
I frequent a few local diners and chain restaurants. I’ve noticed of late that the vegetable of the day is broccoli. Plain steamed giant hunks of broccoli. It’s the vegetable of the day every day, Oh, sometimes it’s paired with its cousin cauliflower, or it’s the main player in a limited mix with a slice of zucchini or a carrot stick or two. But the broccoli is there, stolid, glaring, unwilling to alter even a bit in the name of taste. I’ll give TGI Fridays a pass. There the side dish is broccoli too, but it’s seasoned with lemon pepper and butter, and they use smaller florets. Everyone else just takes a big hunk of the green monster, boils or steams it, and slaps it on the plate. Diners, please, go back to peas, corn, green beans, the canned stuff. I haven’t seen any of that in ages, and the nostalgia would make me cry tears of joy. And put some damn parsley sprigs back on the dish. What is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/2 "2024-06-26T19:36:55Z")
I HATE broccoli. In the words of Newman “vile weed.” But enough people must like it for it to be served so ubiquitously. I always figured it was a cheap vegetable and that’s why restaurants served it. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/3 "2024-06-26T19:43:55Z")
[Eric speaks for us.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d1dwgc-oIs) ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/4 "2024-06-26T19:56:16Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > I frequent a few local diners and chain restaurants. I’ve noticed of late that the vegetable of the day is broccoli. Plain steamed giant hunks of broccoli. It’s the vegetable of the day every day, Oh, sometimes it’s paired with its cousin cauliflower, or it’s the main player in a limited mix with a slice of zucchini or a carrot stick or two. But the broccoli is there, stolid, glaring, unwilling to alter even a bit in the name of taste. > > I’ll give TGI Fridays a pass. There the side dish is broccoli too, but it’s seasoned with lemon pepper and butter, and they use smaller florets. Everyone else just takes a big hunk of the green monster, boils or steams it, and slaps it on the plate. People only tolerate broccoli if it’s covered in ranch or a vinegarette dressing or cooked in a spicy or savory sauce. And nobody eats the stalks either so just cut it off from the florets and throw it away. If it weren’t for its nutritional value, nobody would ever voluntarily eat broccoli. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/5 "2024-06-26T20:03:05Z")
Huh, I love broccoli, lightly steamed with nothing more than a little butter, and I especially love the stalks. That said, “lightly steamed”. Institutionally-cooked broccoli is almost always overcooked. Well, actually, all vegetables are usually overcooked, but broccoli is more sensitive to it than most. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/6 "2024-06-26T20:07:28Z")
Mmmmmm, beef with broccoli is one of my go-to meals. I sub tofu, chicken, mushrooms, whatever for the beef but the traditional sauce is just lovely. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/7 "2024-06-26T20:07:46Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > I’ve noticed of late that the vegetable of the day is broccoli. Plain steamed giant hunks of broccoli. Good, it is one of the few veggies I like in all forms, and very healthful. > [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > Diners, please, go back to peas, corn, green beans, the canned stuff. Please for the love of all that is holy- don’t. > [@Chronos](#): > > That said, “lightly steamed”. Institutionally-cooked broccoli is almost always overcooked. Well, actually, all vegetables are usually overcooked, but broccoli is more sensitive to it than most. When I cook broccoli is just put it in a strainer and pour the- just a few minutes ago boiling water the taters were in- water over it. The hot water pour over but doesnt stay. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/8 "2024-06-26T20:07:50Z")
I actually like broccoli, raw, with dill or bleu cheese dip. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/9 "2024-06-26T20:09:02Z")
Or cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/10 "2024-06-26T20:09:47Z")
My kids love my roasted broccoli. Eat it by the handful. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/11 "2024-06-26T20:10:59Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > I actually like broccoli, raw, with dill or bleu cheese dip. Yep, tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/12 "2024-06-26T20:15:03Z")
Broccoli is hands-down my favorite vegetable. I love it any which way but raw. Steamed with a little salt is a fine side dish. Add a little butter and it’s even better. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/13 "2024-06-26T20:16:06Z")
I like broccoli, but it does get a bit ubiquitous. I too wish restaurants would feature some less usual vegies. I’d go for eggplant, artichoke, okra, brussels sprouts, or Roma beans before broccoli. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/14 "2024-06-26T20:17:27Z")
I’m quite fond of broccoli, but not merely boiled or steamed. Come to think of it, there are damn few vegetables that should ever be just boiled or steamed. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/15 "2024-06-26T20:20:25Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > eggplant, artichoke, okra, brussels sprouts Yes!! I like to slice and grill eggplant rounds then chill them and serve with a dressing. Artichoke is always welcome. Brussel sprouts charred and okra in an interesting sauce. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/16 "2024-06-26T20:23:08Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > I’d go for eggplant, artichoke, okra, brussels sprouts, No one person at a table can eat brussels sprouts- the stench means everybody tastes them. It’s like anchovies on pizza. Incidentally I hate all of those- well, artichoke can be okay. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/17 "2024-06-26T20:29:33Z")
Time to piss off every Doper in this thread: **LIMA BEANS RULE!** Broccoli comes in a close second but steamed in garlic butter is _de rigueur_. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/18 "2024-06-26T20:32:38Z")
Parsnips! Rutabagas! Just anything different! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/19 "2024-06-26T20:33:39Z")
I love broccoli. I boil it; my teeth can’t handle hard foods. Then its covered with butter. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373/20 "2024-06-26T20:34:24Z")
Related gripe: why is fruit salad always 80% cantaloupe & honeydew, and 20% other fruit? I can’t stand cantaloupe or honeydew, and I don’t think I’m alone in this opinion. Even if I pick out the offending melon chunks, the edible fruit has already been contaminated and tastes like the garbage melons. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diners-please-enough-with-the-broccoli/1003373.md?page=2)