# If you were on Death Row, what would you choose for your last meal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221 "2004-09-13T05:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/1 "2004-09-13T05:41:17Z")
Have you ever pondered this? I have. Whenever I read about some poor chump’s last meal I always start ruminating on what I would choose for myself. I waver between wanting something very gourmet or some kind of very basic comfort food like a bucket of chicken and some beer. I’ve never tasted truffles or foie gras so sometimes I think I’d like to try them before they fry me, but that could be problematic…what if I don’t like them? So at this point, I think I’d just like a big mess of fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, some pecan pie ala mode for desert and a twelve pack of some good imported beer. So what would _you_ choose? For the convenience of the discussion. let’s assume that you can get anything you want, including high end gourmet delicacies or wines as well as specific brands or restaurants if you want. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/2 "2004-09-13T05:43:33Z")
An everlasting gobstopper. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/3 "2004-09-13T05:50:58Z")
I think I’d have a 10 ounce Kobe Steak (never tried the stuff) as big a lobster as they could get their hands on, grilled. A 6 pack of Stella Artois, a dozen pieces of good fried chicken, and a pound of Piron Chocolates. It’s either that, or 20 white castles, extra onions and pickles, and a 12 pack of Old Style. (sure, they might kill me, but they’d never get the smell out of that room) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/4 "2004-09-13T06:44:22Z")
If I’m up for the electric chair, as much nitroglycerine as I can swallow. Take some of the buggers with me. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/5 "2004-09-13T06:46:18Z")
I’d get delivery. And give them the wrong address. Hopefully, that’d buy me an extra day to keep digging the scape tunnel. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/6 "2004-09-13T07:03:18Z")
A really greasy jumbo-sized gyros with fries. A bucket of beer, another bucket of wine. The biggest chocolate pudding you’ve ever seen and a two-pound ladle. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/7 "2004-09-13T07:05:09Z")
Since this is basically a poll, I’ll move it to **IMHO** for you. **Cajun Man** for the SDMB ---
**Author:** ![Necro\_Romancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Necro\_Romancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necro_Romancer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/8 "2004-09-13T07:33:59Z")
Comfort food sounds good. I’d get a bucket of KFC, large plate of ribs, fried onions, pecan pie, and a large carton of rice milk. If you’re reading this thread, it may be worth it to check out the [Dead Men Eating](http://www.deadmaneating.com/index.htm) website. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/9 "2004-09-13T08:00:42Z")
Fugu. 🙂 If I am going to die, might as well try the most risky dish. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/10 "2004-09-13T11:52:43Z")
Actually, this is an interesting thing to think about it. Many states have lawn in place that don’t allow for the execution of prisoners who are in comas/on a respirator/really really sick. So maybe something you’re allergic to? Or the fugu, as **GIGObuster** suggested. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/11 "2004-09-13T11:57:43Z")
**lissener** ’s liver, served with a nice bottle of Chianti. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/12 "2004-09-13T12:11:00Z")
Just to be a spoilsport (I’m sure the OP already knows this, but some posters may not) … A guy on death row can’t ask for lobster Thermidor or pheasant under glass. His choice of last meals is limited to foods that are normally on the prison cafeteria menu. That’s why most convicts facing execution choose fried chicken, spaghetti or a cheeseburger. NOT because those dishes are his favorites in the world, NOT because the prison chef makes them so magnificently, but because those are the most palatable items served regularly at a prison cafeteria. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/13 "2004-09-13T12:40:07Z")
P.S. I know my previous post seemed snarky, maybe more so siince DIogenes and I aren’t the best of friends. So up front, I recognize that Diogenes was really just asking “What’s your favorite food in the world?” My objection was based on the existence of web sites and cookbooks like the one cited by Necro Romancer. Yes, I’ve seen cookbooks giving the recipes of dishes requested as last meal by men on death row! The implication seems to be “Buy this book- our fried chicken MUST be the best in the world, since men keep asking for it as their last meal.” In reality, guys on death row have a very limited choice for their last meal. A standard prison may serve chili on Sunday, cheeseburgers on Monday, fried chicken on Tuesday, meatloaf on Wednesday, spaghetti on Thursday, fish sticks on Friday and Salisbury steak on Saturday. Well, if convict #264653 is going to the chair on a Saturday night, he’s allowed to ask for fried chicken or a cheeseburger, rather than the usual Saturday fare. That’s the extent of his choice. So, if he opts for fried chicken, that’s not necessarily a glowing recommendation for the prison’s fried chicken recipe! Fried chicken MAY just be the least bad of the 7 options he has. - But if I really DID have a choice for last meal, and it really COULD be anything… a big bag of White Castle cheeseburgers would be good- especially since I’d be dead before I had to suffer the inevitable next-day woes! ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/14 "2004-09-13T12:47:04Z")
Comfort food all the way. Big juicy slices of bacon, cabbage, mashed potato and YR brown sauce. Just like my Ma makes me every 2nd Sunday when I go home for a visit. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/15 "2004-09-13T16:01:29Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > So what would you choose? For the convenience of the discussion. let’s assume that you can get anything you want, including high end gourmet delicacies or wines as well as specific brands or restaurants if you want. OK - [ul][li]French onion soup to begin. Not a lot of cheese and croutons and stuff, just the soup. A glass of Liebfraumilch to go with it.[/li][li]Spinach and strawberry salad vinegarette for the next course. Sourdough hard rolls and butter. Chardonnay. [/li][li]A pineapple sorbet between courses. [/li][li]Then prime rib, medium (NOT medium rare, medium - hot pink center) with horseradish sauce. Au gratin potatoes, and baby carrots. Chateau-neuf-de-Pape for this course, I think. [/li][li]Chocolate souffle with vanilla sauce. Champagne for the dessert course, but not too dry - a fairly sweet one would go better with a sweet dessert.[/li][li]Coffee, black but with about half a shot of creme de cacao in it. And a good cigar. [/ul][/li] Damn, now I’m hungry. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/16 "2004-09-13T16:29:19Z")
**GIGOBuster** allready gone for Fugu, but I’ll up the ante with Fugu liver Pate. I’d let the guards try some as well if I could. Damned if I’ll let them kill me on their own terms (maybe literally if that rule against suicide of God’s is true). ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/17 "2004-09-13T16:48:11Z")
A big bowl of queso with freshly made tortillas. Yummm. With guac, sour cream, and Maudie’s salsa on the side. And I’d have candy corn for desert… ---
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/18 "2004-09-13T18:31:48Z")
First of all, I’d ask for a bunch of Tums or one of the incredibly effective antacids they have on the market now. If I were about to be executed, I’m sure the massive heartburn (figurative) in anticipation of more massive, permanent heartburn (literal) would be so great as to make the possibility of eating anything remote at best. After having my stomach biles soothed, I’d go for a plate of sushi, some huge fried shrimp, a t-bone, lightly blanched spinach or asparagus, and a helluva lot of chocolate. Maybe wash it all down with some yummy beers and cold water. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/19 "2004-09-13T18:48:50Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Just to be a spoilsport (I’m sure the OP already knows this, but some posters may not) … > > A guy on death row can’t ask for lobster Thermidor or pheasant under glass. His choice of last meals is limited to foods that are normally on the prison cafeteria menu. > > That’s why most convicts facing execution choose fried chicken, spaghetti or a cheeseburger. NOT because those dishes are his favorites in the world, NOT because the prison chef makes them so magnificently, but because those are the most palatable items served regularly at a prison cafeteria. Good point. But I have to question that it’s 100% true. Sure in Texas, where they’re offing people every couple of hours (sorry, kidding…), but I imagine it varies from State to State, possible prison to prison. I’ve read list of last meals and there have been some unusual requests granted (and even weirded ones denied, but that’s something else again). At least one guy on Necro’s list got Chinese take out. I imagine it also depends a lot on if you’ve got someone outside willing to get something sent in to you. If you’ve already killed all your friends, you’ll probably have to settle for cheeseburger… ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221/20 "2004-09-13T19:02:30Z")
I suppose that it depends on how I was going to be killed. For the electric chair (Not that it’s the preferred method anymore) I’d request 10lbs of unpopped popcorn. Give those witnesses a life long aversion to the stuff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-on-death-row-what-would-you-choose-for-your-last-meal/264221.md?page=2)