# Food you won't order in a restaurant because your version is better **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 2, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393 "2020-02-02T18:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/21 "2020-02-02T23:25:40Z")
Steak, I’m no wizard at grilling but I can cook a steak just fine and pocket the $10 or so markup I’d pay at a restaurant. Spaghetti, if the restaurant is famous for theirs I’d give it a try, but otherwise Cremete spaghetti noodles and Clasico Traditional Sweet Tomato Basil sauce can’t be beat for taste time and cost. My wife and I make a feta, sautéed onion and walnut pizza that simply can’t be found anywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/22 "2020-02-02T23:35:45Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > How is that possible? It’s almost certain you don’t have access to the same quality of meat as restaurants do. Sure I do. Prime is available at Costco these days for Pete’s sake. Now I don’t dry age it like they might but I don’t really like that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/23 "2020-02-02T23:46:20Z")
Ma-Po Tofu. And it’s not like it’s that hard to make either. It just doesn’t taste right in restaurants. Chili. Another one that not that hard to make well. I think it’s because restaurants use lousy ingredients. I will order a steak in restaurants simply because I’m reasonably sure it is cooked to order and not thawed in the microwave like some other entrees. I avoid places like that but sometimes you don’t get to pick the place. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/24 "2020-02-02T23:58:30Z")
Oh yes the Ma-Po I’ve had around here is no good. _Getting_ some of the ingredients was a pain but they keep for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/25 "2020-02-03T00:01:34Z")
Comment from the peanut gallery: “Anything chicken” Of course \*I’m \*usually the one cooking that chicken at home :dubious: I’m happy to order chicken at a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/26 "2020-02-03T00:09:25Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > How is that possible? It’s almost certain you don’t have access to the same quality of meat as restaurants do. As said above, you can get prime at Costco, and at upscale butchers, hell, even Whole Foods, you can find dry-aged steaks of whatever hell kind you want. [This place in Wilmette, IL](https://ziersprime.com/), for example, absolutely has restaurant quality meat, prime, dry-aged, the whole she-bang. And, of course, with online sourcing, you can get it wherever the hell you are in the US now. For Christmas, I bought my brother, for example, a Japanese Wagyu A5 grade piece of meat (of course, it also cost $100 for a half pound, but I could get it.) ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/27 "2020-02-03T00:55:46Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > How is that possible? It’s almost certain you don’t have access to the same quality of meat as restaurants do. My grocery store sells USDA Prime 30 day dry aged rib eyes. They are pricey, but available ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/28 "2020-02-03T00:55:56Z")
Only 2% of U.S. beef is prime. It mostly goes to restaurants and hotels, not the Jewel. > **[What Does It Mean When Beef Is Rated 'Prime'?](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-prime-beef-995266)** > > Prime is a USDA meat quality grade for the highest quality of beef, veal, lamb, and other meats, in terms of tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/29 "2020-02-03T01:00:42Z")
The prime stamp is there for all to see in the meat counter. There were rib roasts available for christmas, stamped Prime. They were north of 400.00, but available ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/30 "2020-02-03T01:03:40Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Only 2% of U.S. beef is prime. It mostly goes to restaurants and hotels, not the Jewel. > > [What Is Prime Beef?](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-prime-beef-995266) You can literally get it at Costco. Besides as you may have guessed from your citation most steak houses don’t offer prime. Mom & Pop Charhouse is serving choice cuts, the exact same stuff you do in fact get at the Jewels ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/31 "2020-02-03T01:03:52Z")
not many restaurants dry age either ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/32 "2020-02-03T01:04:10Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Only 2% of U.S. beef is prime. It mostly goes to restaurants and hotels, not the Jewel. > > [What Is Prime Beef?](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-prime-beef-995266) That’s true. You can still find it at Costco. It’s not as impossible to source as you seem to think. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/33 "2020-02-03T01:05:03Z")
Pizza. I have never seen my favorite pizza in any restaurant. It is made with basil pesto sauce, soft goat cheese, kalamata olives, walnuts, and mozzarella cheese. I make the dough and my wife fills it. Meat loaf: mine is simply better than what you find in a restaurant. When I eat out I order something I likely cannot make at home, most likely because it is too complicated or I cannot readily find the ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/34 "2020-02-03T01:09:34Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Only 2% of U.S. beef is prime. It mostly goes to restaurants and hotels, not the Jewel. > > [What Is Prime Beef?](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-prime-beef-995266) > [@](#): > > The total beef production in the United States is estimated to reach 27.3 billion pounds in 2019. 2% of that comes to about 54 million pounds. Just say that out loud. 54 MILLION POUNDS. > **[Total production of beef in the U.S. 2024 | Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/194687/us-total-beef-production-since-2000/)** > > The total beef production in the United States is estimated to be 26.96 billion pounds in 2023, down from 28.29 billion pounds in the previous year. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/35 "2020-02-03T01:16:19Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > not many restaurants dry age either Yeah, wet-aging seems to be more popular around here. And with dry-aged, I used to go to Fox & Obels by Navy Pier when it was around to get my dry-aged steaks. Treasure Island (when it was around–I used to go the Hyde Park one) had it as well, and even the Whole Foods on Roosevelt has both dry-aged and prime steaks (or at least did last time I bought steaks there.) Sure, the Jewel ain’t gonna carry prime (and Jewel butchers their steaks too thinly, anyway. Costco is my go-to for all my beef steak needs), but there’s plenty of places where you can find it here, as well as quality dry-aged steaks (I’ll personally take a dry-aged choice over a wet-aged prime). And when I make steak, those are the places I go to. It’s rare I have a taste for steak, but when I do, I’m going to do it right. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/36 "2020-02-03T01:25:06Z")
**pulykamell** If you ever find yourself out in the western wastelands hit Joseph’s - Awesome people and impeccable product > **[LTHForum.com - Joseph's Finest Meats](https://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18993)** > > Chicago culinary chat. Home of the Great Neighborhood Restaurant (GNR) award. But you probably already knew that 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/37 "2020-02-03T01:38:48Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > **pulykamell** If you ever find yourself out in the western wastelands hit Joseph’s - Awesome people and impeccable product > [LTHForum.com - Joseph's Finest Meats](https://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18993) > But you probably already knew that 😃 I know Joseph’s, but I’ve not been there yet. Thanks for reminding me. [These 30-day dry aged prime ribeyes](https://chicago.seriouseats.com/2014/02/dry-aged-steaks-at-josephs-finest-meats.html) (scroll down) look fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/38 "2020-02-03T02:03:14Z")
Chili, roast chicken, meatloaf and some pastas are good examples of things I wouldn’t order in a restaurant. I can make those as well or better at home and they just aren’t worth the added cost at a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/39 "2020-02-03T03:00:54Z")
Pulled pork, Chicken Tikki Masala, and especially anything with Alfredo sauce. Mine’s way better. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/40 "2020-02-03T03:29:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s true. You can still find it at Costco. It’s not as impossible to source as you seem to think. Hell, I’ve been ordering prime cuts from Amazon Fresh even. I will order steaks from a restaurant if they have a wood burning grill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393.md?page=3)