# Restaurants that don't serve essential dishes/items **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 18, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451 "2025-02-18T13:21:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/181 "2025-02-22T05:51:49Z")
Funny. I have a friend from Florence, and to her, Rome is also South. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/182 "2025-02-22T06:08:47Z")
Reminds me how when my Indian in-laws would be visiting us, my FIL would ask for a chapati to go with his spaghetti all’arrabbiata ---
**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 22, 2025, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/183 "2025-02-22T08:27:03Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They were invented in 1943 by a restaurateur named Ignacio Anaya, hence the name (“Nacho” is a nickname for “Ignacio”). There’s the saying about the best thing since sliced bread. Since slided bread was first sold in 1928, my grandparents were older than sliced bread. And now I learn that nachos are only from 1943. I can use this information. When I read the OP, I was thinking about diners that have run out of pie. Which is just wrong. And I’ve even been to a diner in Pennsylvania that had pie, but did not offer lemon meringue pie. On the opposite side, I grew up on the west coast. The first time I went to a Chinese restaurant in Pennsylvania, the waiter brought out fried wonton strips ([recipe](https://stripedspatula.com/fried-wonton-strips/)). I could imagine if someone was used to getting fried wonton strips, they would find the Chinese restaurants on the west coast a bit odd. > [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Fortune cookies are only authentic to the US market. Yes, I sort of forgot about this. My hairdresser will be in San Francisco and I mentioned getting freshly made fortune cookies at [Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory](https://www.goldengatefortunecookies.com/history). She knows what they are, but they are not something she would expect to get at a Chinese restaurant here. > [@pulykamell](#): > > I am one of these weirdos who’s never realized people put butter on their waffles. Another weirdo here I’ve never put butter on pancakes or waffles, just real maple syrup. Any Polish (Prussian) roots are at least 140 years ago, so probably not relevant. I’ve been to places which offer fish and chips but don’t have malt vinegar. That’s just wrong. > [@blondebear](#): > > My favorite place in San Diego (El Agave) is the only Mexican sit-down restaurant I’ve been to that does not serve chips and salsa. Now I just have to remember this if I ever get back to San Diego. > [@ParallelLines](#): > > Damn this thread. I can buy some El Paso products, but most of the good stuff, such as green chiles, are only available at speciality shops or mail order. I think I’ll be placing an order soon. And the tacos planned for lunch are certainly not going to be as good as some of the dishes mentioned. At least I don’t use a spice mix. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Spring rolls - Steamed Nope. Spring rolls are fried. Summer rolls are not. At least that’s the convention here. Not sure I’ve ever seen egg rolls here, only spring rolls and summer rolls. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/184 "2025-02-22T13:30:08Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > Nope. Spring rolls are fried. Summer rolls are not. At least that’s the convention here. Not sure I’ve ever seen egg rolls here, only spring rolls and summer rolls And let’s not forget [imperial rolls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%E1%BA%A3_gi%C3%B2). I have never found any great consistency in English naming schemes. I’ve seen chả giò referred to as imperial rolls, eggrolls or even imperial spring rolls from Vietnamese restaurant to Vietnamese restaurant. It’s a delicious minefield, where every mistake is still a win. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/185 "2025-02-22T13:57:08Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > a high end Italian restaurant should have carbonara and cacio e pepe on the menu I find high-end Italian restaurants usually have a very limited pasta selection, and it’s often not the classic dishes. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/186 "2025-02-22T14:48:10Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > IKR? What the heck is the use of a waffle with no butter? They would triple their following if they just added it. This reminded me of a seafood restaurant in Florida. Stone crab claws, a Florida specialty, were in season so I ordered them. But the dipping sauce they served with the crab claws, which was mustard-based, was too overpowering for the taste of the crab in my opinion, so I asked if I could get some melted butter. “We don’t have butter. Is margarine OK?” No, no it’s not OK. What seafood place doesn’t offer melted butter? It was a decent place too, not some dive. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/187 "2025-02-22T16:12:32Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > I miss weird Chinese food white bread rolls. You mean mantou? > **[Mantou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantou)** > > Mantou (traditional Chinese: 饅頭; simplified Chinese: 馒头), often referred to as a Chinese steamed bun, is a white and soft type of steamed bread or bun popular in northern China. Folk etymology connects the name mantou to a tale about Zhuge Liang. > Mantou are typically eaten as a staple food in northern parts of China where wheat, rather than rice, is grown. They are made with milled wheat flour, water and leavening agents. In size and texture, they range from 4 centimeters (1.6 in), soft and... ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/188 "2025-02-22T16:16:40Z")
I used to get those at Mongolian BBQ. Less than 50% chance you can get steamed buns at a typical American Chinese restaurant. More likely at places that specialize in dim sum. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/189 "2025-02-22T17:17:03Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You mean mantou? _posting while waiting for a haircut_ I’ve been calling these bao since forever and wasn’t aware of the distinction. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/190 "2025-02-22T17:29:57Z")
Bao are filled. Mantou (at least originally) aren’t- but nowadays some filled ones are called mantou, especially outside their origin area (northern China) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/191 "2025-02-22T17:52:35Z")
I wonder if the (discontinued) food brand “Chun King” is a westernized spelling of Chongqing. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/192 "2025-02-22T19:40:05Z")
Fun fact. The founder of Chun King, Jeno Paulucci, repurposed his egg roll wrapping machines to create Jeno’s Pizza Rolls. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/193 "2025-02-22T19:59:41Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > I wonder if the (discontinued) food brand “Chun King” is a westernized spelling of Chongqing. Back in the early 80s, I was very fond of their Egg Foo Yung kit. Still miss it. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/194 "2025-02-22T20:07:18Z")
Nine out of ten doctors recommend Chun King. [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81leaVJTAnL.jpg) ](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81leaVJTAnL.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/195 "2025-02-22T21:25:48Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > That does sound good. And it is only $6.50?? It’s fuckin’ _amazing_. And yes, only $6.50. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/196 "2025-02-22T21:40:59Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Oh, and has anybody else noticed the slow disappearance of the fortune cookie in Asian restaurants? I used to wonder how many times the average cookie was left unwrapped on a table before it finally found a taker. I think only once. As I understand it, it is illegal to resell unused food once served to a customer. If they don’t eat their cookie, it goes in the bin. Or the staff can take it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/197 "2025-02-22T22:00:46Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Why would it surprise you that they serve margarine instead of butter? It’s not a high end dining experience. I don’t believe that their regular customer base cares about trans fats. I’m not in the least bit surprised that Waffle House provides margarine or even some margarine-like spread that can’t legally use the name. But given the thread title, I assumed the reference to ‘butter’ was generic and included margarine and other similar spreads, and that the writer was saying you couldn’t get _any_ of them with your waffle at Waffle House. I mean, I prefer butter to margarine on my pancakes, waffles, French toast, etc., but I wouldn’t consider actual butter to be _essential_ on such treats, just some sort of butterish spread. Especially at a place like the Waffle House. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/198 "2025-02-22T22:07:34Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > There’s the saying about the best thing since sliced bread. Since slided bread was first sold in 1928, my grandparents were older than sliced bread. Hell, my _parents_ were both older than sliced bread. Probably far from the only person here who can say that. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/199 "2025-02-22T23:07:11Z")
No, as the post I was replying to laid out, literal white bread rolls that Massachusetts Chinese restaurants would give out with your order. The same rolls you’d get at an Italian restaurant, in a bar and grill. Just a weird local thing we do here. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451/200 "2025-02-22T23:48:38Z")
I remember reading about some well-known burger truck, probably in the L.A. area, that refused to serve diet drinks. Their philosophy was something like “If you’re going to eat here, you don’t need to cut calories.” Ahem, some people don’t like regular soda! Oh, well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-that-dont-serve-essential-dishes-items/1014451.md?page=11)