# Do you refuse to say gimmick names for chain restaurant food? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 17, 2019, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280 "2019-03-17T23:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/21 "2019-03-18T14:34:40Z")
That particular beef is one I have with Firehouse Subs: their sizes are not even listed on their menu. The first time I was snarkily corrected when I tried to specify what size I wanted, and I thought that maybe it might have been my fault for not reading the menu carefully enough, and so the second time I went, I perused the menu for minutes looking for the magic names of the sizes of the subs that would not draw a perky passive aggressive correction, but I failed and was corrected nonetheless. There was not a third time. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/22 "2019-03-18T15:02:52Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Kind of, I refuse to learn whatever Starbucks calls small, medium and large. It’s rare for me to go in one, so it’s not an issue. I agree with “don’t be an ass to the server”, but I also agree with this. I also agree with calling the “small” a “small”, even if the idiots labelled the “small” drink the “medium” drink. And, yes, I’ve seen this done. It’s a complicated world, is what I’m sayin’. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/23 "2019-03-18T15:21:35Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > What I won’t do is call the chicken nuggets at McDonald’s “McNuggets”. Me either, except when I go into BK or Wendys and order their “mcnuggets” ---
**Author:** ![tricoteuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tricoteuse/32/4334_2.png) [@tricoteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tricoteuse)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/24 "2019-03-18T15:23:20Z")
I do it but I feel kind of silly. I agree with whoever said about local delis having names for each individual sandwich. The names don’t annoy me but if I’m in a hurry or a place I probably won’t go to again (like if I’m travelling and stop to eat)I’m not going to study the menu to figure out which of their 100 sandwiches is a ham and swiss on rye with mustard. I’m just going to order ham and swiss on rye with mustard. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/25 "2019-03-18T15:44:35Z")
Eberts & Gerberts was the king of this crap, they changed it now, but you used to have to say words like ‘narmer’ or ‘gerf’ for something like a ham hoagie. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/26 "2019-03-18T16:50:18Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > What I won’t do is call the chicken nuggets at McDonald’s “McNuggets”. What I won’t do is call them “chicken.” ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/27 "2019-03-18T17:37:53Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Kind of, I refuse to learn whatever Starbucks calls small, medium and large. It’s rare for me to go in one, so it’s not an issue. Was going to say this. I’ll have your middle sized cup please. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/28 "2019-03-18T19:30:54Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > Heck, I used to read the entire ridiculous menu description when I ordered at the Denny’s type places. As in > > “I’d like the 3 extra fluffy scrambled farm fresh eggs with your specially seasoned applewood bacon and topped with your delicious golden buttery cheese blend, please”. This is great stuff. > [@JohnT](#): > > The only place this has bothered me is Cracker Barrel. I want 2 eggs, sausage, grits, toast. I don’t give a flying frig if that is Grandma’s breakfast, Pappy’s platter, the Farmer’s skillet, whatever - I just want 2 eggs, sausage, grits and toast. This is even better. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/29 "2019-03-18T19:36:43Z")
I think if you can’t bring yourself to say the name of the dish, you’re not mature enough to eat it. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/30 "2019-03-18T20:20:12Z")
What’s the big hangup? Do you think they are laughing at you for having to say the names that they thought up and put on the menu? Why is it “embarassing”? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/31 "2019-03-18T20:29:42Z")
At Cracker Barrel, it’s the irritation of having to read through the entire menu to figure out which one represents a very basic breakfast combination. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/32 "2019-03-18T20:37:31Z")
The only place I absolutely refuse to use the cutesy names is Cold Stone Creamery (“Like It,” “Love It,” and “Gotta Have It”). That’s just one step too far for me. I order a “small” (or a “kid size” because even their small is rather huge) and I’ve never had a server have a problem with it. Most of the Cold Stones have disappeared around here anyway, which is probably for the best, so it’s no longer a problem. It never even occurred to me to have a problem using the item names at fast food restaurants (Quarter Pounder, Whopper, McNuggets, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/33 "2019-03-18T20:49:34Z")
I prefer the names. Jimmy Johns eliminated the sandwich names and you order by number now. I hate it because it’s so much easier to remember the name. My two were the Hunters Club and Bootlegger. Hunters is roast beef with provolone cheese. Bootlegger is roast beef & turkey. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/34 "2019-03-18T20:58:04Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > The only place I absolutely refuse to use the cutesy names is Cold Stone Creamery (“Like It,” “Love It,” and “Gotta Have It”). That’s just one step too far for me. I order a “small” (or a “kid size” because even their small is rather huge) and I’ve never had a server have a problem with it. > > Most of the Cold Stones have disappeared around here anyway, which is probably for the best, so it’s no longer a problem. > > It never even occurred to me to have a problem using the item names at fast food restaurants (Quarter Pounder, Whopper, McNuggets, etc.) Cold Stone Creamery is one of the worst franchises you can buy into, with almost 1/3rd of all STC owners [defaulting on their small business loans](http://www.acctsource.com/u/blog-before-you-buy-a-franchise). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/35 "2019-03-18T21:13:23Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > The worst offender for me is 7-11’s Bahama Mama sausage, Is that the bright red one that has “beef lips” as the first ingredient? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/36 "2019-03-18T21:43:47Z")
I’ll say the names if they’re just cutesy - if the name is going to result in a lot of jokes ( Like the Big Ass Pork Platter) then I just point to it on the menu. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/37 "2019-03-18T22:12:15Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > That particular beef is one I have with Firehouse Subs: their sizes are not even listed on their menu. The first time I was snarkily corrected when I tried to specify what size I wanted, and I thought that maybe it might have been my fault for not reading the menu carefully enough, and so the second time I went, I perused the menu for minutes looking for the magic names of the sizes of the subs that would not draw a perky passive aggressive correction, but I failed and was corrected nonetheless. > > There was not a third time. This confused me because I’ve always ordered a medium. I just checked their menu on-line and they very clearly have S, M, or L next to the prices. Arby’s sizes though are Classic, Double, and Half Pound. The usually ask me when I order a medium if I want the double. I don’t want the biggest, and I don’t want the smallest… I want the medium. Shouldn’t be that hard. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/38 "2019-03-18T22:42:51Z")
Refuse? No, that seems like a weird mix of grumpy 75 year old and sullen 14 year old that I’d aspire not to be. I might point to the menu or use a number if the names is way too long and the server doesn’t understand my abbreviated version, but I have no problem reading off whatever name they have for whatever menu item I’d like to eat. I find the idea a bit baffling as I can’t imagine the situation where anyone would fault someone for using the actual name on the menu, whereas I can perfectly imagine laughing at someone insisting “It’s a cheeseburger with fries, dangit! I refuse to call it anything else!” ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/39 "2019-03-18T23:00:23Z")
> [@Airk](#): > > What’s the big hangup? Do you think they are laughing at you for having to say the names that they thought up and put on the menu? Why is it “embarassing”? Because I am an adult with a minimum amount of self respect. Plus, I am not an employee of their corporation and paid to buy into their bullshit descriptions of their average dishes made to sound better than they are. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280/40 "2019-03-18T23:13:04Z")
I will never order the “Ugly Naked Guy” at Moe’s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-refuse-to-say-gimmick-names-for-chain-restaurant-food/831280.md?page=3)