We’re getting a lot of “I don’t like things that others like.” and not as much as what the OP asked for. I think lobster is a good example, as I like it, (and will eat it gladly) but still think it’s overrated.
I also think burgers are underrated. Others tolerate them, but I’ll get excited about having one (a decent to good one. Not a fast food one)
For example, I detest ketchup, but I can’t say it’s overrated. Just not my thing.
When I was growing up, my parents made homemade “Russian” dressing out of ketchup and mayo. A little relish made it “1000 Island”. I wasn’t a fan of either.
It’s very hard to find a really good authentic taco, so I tend to agree with this. But there is a place close to us that serves killer birria tacos, with corn shells that are dipped in the broth and fat from the stew pot and then fried on the grill. Damn, but those are good!
I don’t know if it’s the most under-rated but I had some excellent polenta for lunch today so I’m giving corn meal my vote. Polenta, corn bread, hush puppies, corn pudding, tamales - everything made out of corn meal tastes good. But it doesn’t seem to get any respect and it’s treated like something people only eat when they can’t afford anything else.
Most over-rated is wine. Wine’s okay but some people have gone way overboard on it.
I wasn’t implying that it’s no longer available, only that it’s not as ubiquitous as it once was. Or seemed to be to me. The few times I’ve looked for it I couldn’t find it, but that only reflects trends at my local grocery store. I’d imagine that it gets well stocked wherever it sells well.
Mayonnaise as a condiment is lousy. The cheap cheeseburger at Rally’s / Checkers is supposed to come with ketchup and mustard. A couple times someone subbed mayo for them. I had to have the burgers replaced! Mayo can be a good ingredient in things such as deviled eggs and chicken salad, though. I have discovered I like a bit of mayo on spicy chicken sandwiches like the one at Chik-fil-a. It’s still overrated.
Canned tamales are definitely underrated. They’re inexpensive and really tasty. Are they as good as restaurant ones or the ones I make myself? No. But they are easy to doctor up with a little grated cheese and you get a lot for your money.
Overrated: Truffles. I’m not one of those that find them pungent and disgusting, but while they’re pleasant enough, they’re so overpriced for what you get that they’re a huge “why bother?” for me. Especially because in many cases diluted elements are being added to dishes for the poshness rather than as an actual flavor (like gold foil).
Underrated: Duck, in it’s many forms and treatments. Seriously, I know out domestic production isn’t huge, but they’re still very reasonably prices, and super delicious. Plus, I’d often rather cook with duck fat than bacon fat on dishes where I want a bit more subtlety. I mean, I see more places talking about duck fat fries than actually serving duck.
NOTE - please be aware of large national and regional differences, this is based off of a general USA and specific Southwest USA use and usage.
I agree with this. Pasta is fine. I even enjoy some red sauces, and many white sauces. But … It’s still just pasta.
Well, beans often do give you gas. I like beans. They are one of the most satisfying foods you can get for their price point. But I’ll basically always choose a nice piece of dead animal flesh over beans if they are both in front of me.
Oh, i agree with this! I adore duck. I didn’t understand why it’s not more popular. Duck fat is also good for popping corn.
I guess i think of beans as an entree. My husband often serves beans. (Or lentils, or chickpeas) I usually prepare hunk-o-meat. Something to think about, though.
I guess my daughter often serves a dish she calls “chili”, although she leaves out the actual chili peppers, because i can’t eat them. But it’s ground beef, a few types of beans, onions, garlic, with tomato sauce and a lot of turmeric and cumin. Served with corn chips.
I have never liked ketchup, or coffee either, and can taste them in microscopic amounts in food. Oddly, I do like BBQ sauce and salsa, and both contain many of the same ingredients as ketchup, just in different ratios.
As for butterscotch, that seems to be something of a “grown-up” flavor. I had to acquire the taste, and now I do like it. Haven’t had any in a long time, so I might pick some pudding mix up on the next trip to the store.
I am your polar opposite. We should probably never eat a burger in the same establishment for fear that they might touch and create a devastating matter/antimatter explosion
Mayonnaise (and aiolis fairly generally) are the absolute best condiment. Dusted with fresh ground black pepper for fries and onion rings and the perfect burger condiment. Ketchup and mustard with mayo is acceptable on a burger, 1,000 islands is okay, but burgers are probably best with mayo along. Burgers with just ketchup and mustard are unacceptable .
Well, excluding McDonalds double-cheeseburgers which are their own weird thing from my youth.
I use ketchup on scrambled eggs (rarely, I usually prefer my eggs on toast), fried potatoes (to alternate with pepper-dusted mayo), as an ingredient in marinades or as part of a traditional meatloaf topping. That’s about it.
Whipped cream is way overrated, except maybe in hot chocolate or Irish coffee. But as a topping on a milkshake, ice cream or even pie I just don’t see the point.