# In Defense of Plain Stuff **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840 "2018-07-13T14:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/81 "2018-07-18T04:35:09Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The weird stuff I’ve gotten from waiters over the years is unbelievable. What’s so hard to understand: “Salad with nothing on it.” Just tell them “dressing on the side.” It’s less ambiguous. I like a lot of condiments, but feel that most salad dressings are an abomination. I generally prefer my salad without dressing. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/82 "2018-07-18T05:12:18Z")
I’ll often eat spaghetti noodles with nothing on them. Just oodles and oodles of noodles. I’ll eat tomato paste out of the can; I’ve liked doing that since I was a kid. I’ll fairly often eat plain white bread. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/83 "2018-07-18T12:33:39Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Just tell them “dressing on the side.” It’s less ambiguous. “On the side” is never actually completely on the side. And how on Earth is “no dressing” ambiguous??? ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/84 "2018-07-18T12:43:59Z")
I’ve been reading through this thread, and I want to participate, but I can’t think of a single food where my favorite way to eat it is plain (unless you count asking for no whipped cream on anything that comes with whipped cream). So, instead of food, my contribution is water. As a kid, the drink options at any sort of special event tended to be soft drinks, and since I don’t like soda I’d stick with the water. Now that I’m a grown up, there’s usually alcohol, but I don’t like a lot of alcohol, too. You go to a concert or festival, you’re usually stuck with beer, which I don’t like. Only drinks I really like are cocktails, and even with cocktails you’re taking a gamble because they have to be made correctly. Too much alcohol and I’m too weak to handle it; too much sugar and it tastes gross; I love Bloody Marys but sometimes they’re too spicy. So I will very often be the lame duck drinking water as everyone else is cutting loose. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/85 "2018-07-18T13:48:00Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > “On the side” is never actually completely on the side. And how on Earth is “no dressing” ambiguous??? 😕 When I ask and get it on the side, it comes in a little cup, not on the lettuce. And you can add as little or as much as you want. How is that not “completely on the side”? I can’t believe all of the people who say they eat salad with no dressing. That’s not a salad… it’s rabbit food. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/86 "2018-07-18T16:02:12Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > 😕 When I ask and get it on the side, it comes in a little cup, not on the lettuce. And you can add as little or as much as you want. How is that not “completely on the side”? > > I can’t believe all of the people who say they eat salad with no dressing. That’s not a salad… it’s rabbit food. I can’t believe it either; I thought I was the only one, and I’m not using hyperbole. I honestly don’t recall meeting anyone IRL who liked salad without dressing. I’ve known people who don’t like vegetables _period_ and could maybe choke a salad down \*because of \* the dressing, but I get the strangest looks when I ask for “no dressing”. I don’t even want it on the side as I’ve never encountered a dressing that didn’t smell awful. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/87 "2018-07-18T16:32:45Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > 😕 When I ask and get it on the side, it comes in a little cup, not on the lettuce. And you can add as little or as much as you want. How is that not “completely on the side”? > > I can’t believe all of the people who say they eat salad with no dressing. That’s not a salad… it’s rabbit food. Salad with a squeeze of lemon, black coffee, cigarettes: the model’s keeping slim diet since the 20’s. Urk. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/88 "2018-07-18T16:59:08Z")
Salt on a perfectly grilled steak is enough for me, but I will try different rubs from time to time. One of my go to snacks is tortilla chips with Louisiana hot sauce. I lick the plate clean of crumbs and hot sauce, too. I also like water. I drink loads of different beverages, but chilled water is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/89 "2018-07-18T17:02:31Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Salad with a squeeze of lemon, black coffee, cigarettes: the model’s keeping slim diet since the 20’s. Urk. Yum! Mixed together I eat out of trash cans sometimes ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/90 "2018-07-18T19:09:27Z")
Sometimes I snack on plain potato chips or saltines-no toppings, seasonings, or dip. I also occasionally enjoy plain noodles or spaghetti–well maybe with just a little butter. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/91 "2018-07-18T19:54:45Z")
I like plain vanilla ice cream and lightly salted potato chips. But sometimes I mess up this plainness by eating them together. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/92 "2018-07-18T21:44:05Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Yes! Why eat something and not get the taste of it cause it’s covered in something else? I don’t want an egg and cheese sandwich. I was an egg, some cheese, and some bread I can eat separately. I honestly can’t work out if this is sarcasm or not. Like, do I serve you cookies or a deli platter with butter, sugar, eggs, and some flour? I’ll not be inviting you over until I can get this right. Salty crunchy things I like plain Soda water Most bread (but I won’t scowl at you if there’s butter) Crab & clam-like critters–butter and seasoning is highly optional I like my Twinkies right out of the wrapper, no need to deep fry Gravy (no need to confound it with turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing–just give me a straw and stand back) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/93 "2018-07-18T21:53:16Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > 😕 When I ask and get it on the side, it comes in a little cup, not on the lettuce. And you can add as little or as much as you want. How is that not “completely on the side”? > > I can’t believe all of the people who say they eat salad with no dressing. That’s not a salad… it’s rabbit food. Not usually as I’ve seen it. It comes in a lump on the side of plate, spreading out into whatever it’s supposed to be on the side of. So, if I want to reduce waste I should ask for the dressing on the side, and then tell them to leave the cup in the kitchen for someone else??? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/94 "2018-07-18T22:03:57Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > “On the side” is never actually completely on the side. And how on Earth is “no dressing” ambiguous??? > [@ftg](#): > > … It comes in a lump on the side of plate, spreading out into whatever it’s supposed to be on the side of. I have never seen anyone serve dressing like that when it’s requested on the side. Is that a regional thing? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/95 "2018-07-18T22:44:58Z")
Jeeps. V8 or I6 with a carb and mechanical fuel pump. No “brain box” or power windows and seats or kooky stuff you can’t fix on the trail with simple tools and a well placed and anticipated spare. Manual locking hubs are okay in my book, too. Eat that! ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/96 "2018-07-19T01:54:03Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Not usually as I’ve seen it. It comes in a lump on the side of plate, spreading out into whatever it’s supposed to be on the side of. > > So, if I want to reduce waste I should ask for the dressing on the side, and then tell them to leave the cup in the kitchen for someone else??? I don’t recall ever seeing dressing served like that. But I don’t live in a region where people get worked up about throwing a tiny plastic cup into the trash… Or worrying about washing a tiny metal cup, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/97 "2018-07-19T06:44:34Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > How about cheese? Some stores (notably Trader Joe’s) are selling cheese with stuff mixed into it, like chives or apricots. I love cheese, and prefer to have it by itself without its taste disguised by other flavors. To me some cheese is too plain. Like goat. I’ve discovered: [Fig and grapfruit goat.](https://www.goodeggs.com/sfbay/laurachenel/fig-grapefruit-chevre-medallion/5a1cb491a701dc000b9ffd32) and [Blueberry vanilla goat.](https://www.target.com/p/montchevre-blueberry-vanilla-goat-cheese-4oz/-/A-50874785) They’re sweet and creamy. It’s what I eat instead of ice cream at home. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/98 "2018-07-19T14:11:32Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Jeeps. > > V8 or I6 with a carb and mechanical fuel pump. No “brain box” or power windows and seats or kooky stuff you can’t fix on the trail with simple tools and a well placed and anticipated spare. > > Manual locking hubs are okay in my book, too. > > Eat that! I’m with you on the plain vehicles. I want a manual transmission (break just about anything but the output shaft, and you can limp home), manual crank windows, manual seats, rubber floor mats w/o carpet, and no damn touchscreen. Even though it’s going to be 106 today, A/C is optional. When it breaks, I usually don’t fix it. But I break with you on the ECU. As long as you don’t do something stupid like put a non-waterproof ECU under the heater core (I’m looking at you, Ford), they’re damn reliable. If I can’t have a full engine control unit, I’d prefer to at least have an electronic ignition like an old Duraspark. Points are for saps. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/99 "2018-07-19T17:01:15Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > YAY PLAIN STUFF!! I’m loving this thread. Same here…it’s like I’ve found my people. 😃 I happen to have some leftover Pizza Hut pan pepperoni in the fridge right now, but 80% of the time I just get cheese pizza (delivery or frozen). I don’t care for extra cheese, though. I don’t mind a sesame or onion bagel every now and then, but a plain bagel – untoasted – with a little cream cheese is heaven. I’ve even been known to eat one like a donut in the absence of cream cheese (or time). I don’t like the taste of salt, and prefer unsalted fries and potato chips (Utz makes a great unsalted chip; Pringles’ lightly salted variety is also good). Don’t get me wrong, I’ll gobble down an order of salted fries from pretty much any fast food chain, but if I learn a new batch is coming out of the fryer I’ll ask for mine to be unsalted. Sometimes I need a little ketchup to deal with the saltiness of fries; similarly, I can’t eat more than a few regular potato chips without some dip (mmmm diiiippp). I prefer the low-sodium versions of most crackers. I also vastly prefer unsalted soft pretzels (I _love_ soft pretzels); if necessary, I’ll remove the salt by hand. Whenever I order a cheesesteak somewhere, I always have to repeat that I want it plain. “Just steak and cheese.” “Yes, really.” Deli sandwiches are likewise simple: turkey or ham (not both!) with a \*little \*mayo, or roast beef with a \*little \*horseradish. No, please don’t toast the bread. No cheese or lettuce, thanks. And for the love of god, no tomatoes! My exception to the “no toast” rule is an occasional turkey club (with no tomato): for some reason, I don’t mind when that bread is toasted. I would eat beef tacos with no toppings – but seasoned beef – any day. Sometimes cheese is ok, but I’ll remove any lettuce and scrape off any pico de gallo (if they forget that I asked for my tacos without them). When I go to Chipotle, I sometimes feel like I’m letting them down: they’re ready to tackle the most complicated order, and I just want white rice with beef, cheese, and a \*little \*sour cream. You get the picture. 🙂 (Also, I drive a stick!) ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840/100 "2018-07-21T05:40:04Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > And how on Earth is “no dressing” ambiguous??? The post I was responding to said, “Salad with nothing on it.” I agree that “no dressing” would work too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-plain-stuff/817840.md?page=6)