# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/41 "2020-02-03T03:30:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nothing. If I’m ordering something I or the wife can make better at home, it’s because I’M NOT HOME AND/OR CAN’T BE ARSED TO COOK! mostly this. If I’m stuck at a hotel, I might eat their cereal with milk for breakfast. I gotta eat something… > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > how are all you people making steaks at home that taste better than restaurant steaks? > … Steak is pretty easy to cook. I do sometimes eat steak at a restaurant, but that probably means there’s nothing else appealing on the menu. I trust most places to do a decent job of steak. Do high end steak houses have access to a better grade of meat than I do? Yes. But I rarely eat at that sort of place. And it’s not that much better than what I can get at the supermarket. Whereas if I’m spending that much to eat out, I can get something that I can’t do at all at home. Or that’s seasoned differently than what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/42 "2020-02-03T03:32:19Z")
Put me down as another one who almost never orders chicken in restaurants. I make chicken every which way and doubt that I can be pleasantly surprised by someone else’s. And NYC restaurants have NEVER gotten fried chicken right. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/43 "2020-02-03T04:03:11Z")
> [@BrickBat](#): > > White clam sauce. Can I trouble you for the recipe? I haven’t found any recipes I like as much as the white clam sauce at Maggiano’s. ---
**Author:** ![Time\_Like\_Tears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Time\_Like\_Tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Like_Tears)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/44 "2020-02-03T04:15:46Z")
Steak, like so many of you. I also live in a wasteland where there’s apparently no such thing as a great restaurant, but I honestly had NO idea it was so difficult to cook a medium rare steak. Fried chicken, bones or not. I’ll pick up a box at Bojangles occasionally if I just can’t be bothered, but NEVER at a sit-down type establishment. You might think otherwise, here in the Deep South. I am regularly disappointed. Meatloaf, mine is definitely better, especially the sauce. Chili, I like mine with some body and flavor. Most pasta sauces, any meal sized salad (though that’s mostly the cost and they put weird stuff in - I can make a salad I like for 1/3 the price) and never things like sandwiches unless it’s just something VERY unique. You’re going to have a hard time impressing me by slapping some stuff on bread. ---
**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, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/45 "2020-02-03T05:05:02Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s true. You can still find it at Costco. It’s not as impossible to source as you seem to think. Fair enough. But I’d bet dollars to donuts that the posters claiming that their steaks are better than a steakhouse steak are not buying Prime cuts. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/46 "2020-02-03T05:42:49Z")
There are quite a few dishes where I prefer my version to any restaurant version, not because I’m a good cook but because I cook them exactly the way I like them and I can add whatever condiments I like ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/47 "2020-02-03T06:50:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nothing. If I’m ordering something I or the wife can make better at home, it’s because I’M NOT HOME AND/OR CAN’T BE ARSED TO COOK! This. Though it is getting more difficult for e to eat out, so many places are using baking mixes or products that have palm oil in them, and I might as well save the money and stay at home with a bottle of bowel prep. I also refuse to get crepes out, I can turn out a huge batch of crepes for the cost of one plate of them out. And I make a damned good crepe. ---
**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, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/48 "2020-02-03T07:45:52Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Fair enough. > > But I’d bet dollars to donuts that the posters claiming that their steaks are better than a steakhouse steak are not buying Prime cuts. > > YMMV. The people in this thread have not only told you they’re using prime cuts, but also where they buy them. Not sure why you keep pushing back on this. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/49 "2020-02-03T07:59:26Z")
my dad had a rule that if he took us out we couldn’t order anything that could be made at home … so we usually ended up ordering something expensive and complicated only problem is people get mad these days and tell me "why can’t ya get something cheap? Like when we went to subway and a relative ordered a ham and American cheese sandwich and I get stiffed 5.50 for it … I was pissed… I had the sandwich of the month which I couldn’t make at home like I was taught to ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/50 "2020-02-03T12:01:41Z")
Cooking steak at home is hit or miss for me - I’ve had the single best steak of my life at home, a couple good ones, and lots of mediocre ones. But up until the last holiday season I wouldn’t say I cook them _better_ than at restaurants - until I ate at Applebee’s. I can confidently say that their steak was below my average effort. ---
**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, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/51 "2020-02-03T12:04:45Z")
From **D’Anconia** ’s cite: > [@](#): > > Increasingly higher-end stores are selling prime meats, at a price to go with the designation There are not enough eyerolls. No it’s not in my local Giant. It _is_ in Whole Foods. Dry aged too. And if I cook choice, it’s still going to beat the restaurant’s prime, because it’s cooked exactly the way I want. But I only cook steaks a few times a year anway, so why not get the fancy stuff? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/52 "2020-02-03T12:11:26Z")
Whereas steak is on my go-to “I’m lazy, and want something easy tonight” meal list. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/53 "2020-02-03T15:34:31Z")
Steak, but it’s a cost ratio, too. I make phenomenal steak (and buying excellent steak contributes towards that). And I’ll usually split the steak with my wife. It’s $8 to $15, plus my time, versus $30+ at a restaurant. I also make awesome, Detroit style pizza, something I’ve studied for years. But it’s a PITA to make, and I like the local chain, and it’s cheap, so despite making just as good or better, I’ll happy dine there. I tend to avoid chicken, because I usually really do make superior chicken. Restaurants are always pushing boneless, skinless chicken breast, which is dry and tasteless. I’ll do pasta, because everyone’s pasta and sauce is different, and I enjoy the variety. I can make excellent pasta sauces, too, but the variety at different places makes it attractive to me. Meatloaf is similar, because everyone makes it differently that I do, and I like the variety. Mac and cheese I tend to avoid. I know there must be some good ones, but it seems like the vast majority these days are Cheez Whiz based. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/54 "2020-02-03T15:50:45Z")
When I’m eating out, it’s usually because I don’t feel like cooking, so I’m open to most things. I won’t order biscuits and gravy because most breakfast joints seem bent on making Elmer’s glue instead of something edible, and they’ll usually fuck up hash browns, as well. I don’t order steak, but that’s because of markup. Just because I can make something I like better doesn’t preclude me from ordering it when I’m out. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/55 "2020-02-03T16:25:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Nothing. If I’m ordering something I or the wife can make better at home, it’s because I’M NOT HOME AND/OR CAN’T BE ARSED TO COOK! That’s pretty much my answer as well. If we’re eating out, it’s more than likely because we don’t want to do the cooking/cleanup and we probably don’t feel like sandwiches or leftovers. Or it’s some kind of occasion where the experience is the point, not necessarily the main dish itself. That said, we make a pretty bad-ass pizza in a general sense. Better than most delivery ones, and up there with the frou-frou artisanal places if we put the effort in to finding the right topping combinations. Same with steak, biscuits, gravy, chili, green chile chicken enchiladas, and some kinds of barbecue (ribs, pulled pork and chicken; haven’t got brisket nailed down yet). I’m also a passable amateur bartender/mixologist, so most of the time if we order mixed drinks out, it’s the off-beat special with strange ingredients, not the standards like Manhattans, Daiquiris or Martinis, as we can make them at home as well as most bartenders. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/56 "2020-02-03T16:43:31Z")
> [@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) I’ve never been to a restaurant that serves prime or dry aged beef. Not once. So of course, if I’m ever at Delmonico’s, I’ll surely try their steak. But I can tell you that every steak I’ve ever had at Outback has been a disappointment. Same goes for Logan’s, Texas Roadhouse, Colton’s, and other “steakhouse” chains. To be honest, I think the best steak I ever had that I didn’t cook myself was at Cracker Barrel. But that might have just been because my expectations weren’t high. I also tend to avoid pasta, more because I know how cheap it really is than because I can make it better at home (though I can). I’m more likely to order lasagna or ravioli because I know how much more effort those take than just spaghetti or penne, and because I rarely make them at home. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/57 "2020-02-03T17:35:51Z")
I won’t order chicken or salmon, because those are my go-to midweek sources of protein. My exception to this rule is Indian, as you just can’t recreate a great Indian at home (I do try). I will rarely go out for a [Sunday Roast](https://www.google.com/search?q=cowshed+sunday+roast&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB869GB869&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivxMr09LXnAhUVQEEAHVdiB8oQ_AUoAnoECBMQBA&biw=1374&bih=801) (a British tradition) mainly because my roasts dinners are masterly. I will only order pasta if I’m at a really great Italian, or in Italy. Generic restaurants tend to over cook it or mess with tried and tested recipes. I will no longer order [charred hispi cabbage](https://www.google.com/search?q=charred+hispi+cabbage&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB869GB869&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjih6C99bXnAhWNfMAKHTPgCDAQ_AUoAXoECAwQAw&biw=1374&bih=801) because I’m just sick of that stuff. It’s everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/58 "2020-02-03T17:54:38Z")
I don’t order meatloaf in a restaurant. Probably not mac & cheese either. And definitely no pie. Nothing worse than bad pie crust (looking at you, diner in PA). What I do order? Chicken-fried streak with mashed potatoes and green beans. I’ve never made chicken-fried steak, and with the cost of beef here, I’m not trying it. And I’ll get gnocchi before I get pasta. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/59 "2020-02-03T18:11:49Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > When I go out to eat - think nice meal here, not something you just grab and go - there are certain items I won’t even consider. It’s not that I think I’m a great cook, but I don’t see the sense in ordering something I can make as well, or even better, than a restaurant. > > For example - meatloaf. It’s a pretty basic item, and I can’t imagine a spectacular meatloaf. Also mac-n-cheese. Yeah, you can put lobster in it, but that seems a waste of perfectly good lobster. > > Even spaghetti - it’s pasta with sauce. Nothing wrong with it, but it’s so basic as not to be special enough to warrant ordering it at a restaurant. > > Oddly enough, I’m OK ordering most breakfast foods, with the exception of cold cereal and milk - that doesn’t belong in a restaurant. Seriously! > > Am I alone in this? Are there things you would never consider paying someone else to prepare for you? I couldn’t think of anything until, yes, spaghetti. It’s too easy to make at home without spending money on it away. I’m more likely to order things which are a chore and a half to make by myself, like lasagna or anything with stuffed shells. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393/60 "2020-02-03T18:22:51Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > When I’m eating out, it’s usually because I don’t feel like cooking, so I’m open to most things. Yep, I’ll happily order spaghetti, steak, chicken, whatever. Pretty much any meal I order out I could do a very good to great version of at home. Lately I have been avoiding restaurant french fries though, because my air fryer fries are so much better than deep fried. As far as Prime vs Choice steaks, I had some beef recently that was not USDA labeled, but they were amazing. A farmer friend slaughters, ages, and butchers his own beef for his family. We were discussing meat one night and he sent a couple of his steaks home with me. _Man_, were they incredible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-you-wont-order-in-a-restaurant-because-your-version-is-better/847393.md?page=4)