# Things you always order if you see it on a menu **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [August 14, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680 "2024-08-14T02:53:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/21 "2024-08-14T09:02:19Z")
I spend a lot of my “going out to eat time” at sports bars, all of which have the same menu as every other sports bar: “If it’s deep-fried we have it; if not, we have a burger.” But when I go other places, it depends. Diner breakfast: If they have a BLT, that’s my go-to. No eggs for me, thankyouverymuch, but even if it’s not on the menu, if a diner can do any kind of “two eggs any style” breakfast, it can do a BLT. British pub: Shepherd’s pie or beef-and-Guinness pie. Mushy peas or baked beans on the side. Fries too, if they’re offered. Steakhouse: Coin toss between filet mignon and tournedos rossini. Basically the same thing, with a few slight differences. Chinese: Singapore noodles. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/22 "2024-08-14T09:58:01Z")
At a breakfast cafe: Eggs and scrapple, served with home fries. At a diner: Liver and onions, served with mashed potatoes and peas. At a seafood restaurant: Stone crab with mustard sauce. At a Chinese restaurant: Moo shu pork with plum sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/23 "2024-08-14T10:02:17Z")
Depends where I am. UK: kippers; chinese duck pancakes; [ackee and saltfish](https://jamaicanfoodsandrecipes.com/jamaican-ackee-and-salt-fish-recipe/). Belgium: [Gentse kippenwaterzooi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterzooi). France: confit de canard; pan fried sardines; a galette with goats’ cheese; rabbit. Spain: pan con tomate; dogfish; tortilla with whisky sauce; any and all eggplant. Greece: fried sea bream; cod in garlic sauce; any and all eggplant (and imam bayildi in Turkiye) I bet I forgot a load. j ---
**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:** [August 14, 2024, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/24 "2024-08-14T10:09:32Z")
Interesting to see how many people choose fish. Mine… Any kind of Spanish/Italian/Portuguese/Greek place: Grilled or Braised Octopus, grilled sardines, calabrian anchovies, baccala on toast Italian restaurant: Sausage pasta (any kind) Indian: Chicken Balti ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/25 "2024-08-14T10:11:32Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Interesting to see how many people choose fish. In my case it’s because I can’t eat most meats (the red ones, apart from rabbit (special treat)) j ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/26 "2024-08-14T10:26:00Z")
Dim sum: chicken feet Greek: dandelion greens ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/27 "2024-08-14T10:26:48Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Chinese: Singapore noodles. A good man with a good point! Years ago when I worked in downtown Toronto, a group of us would frequently have lunch at what I think was actually a Vietnamese restaurant, but it was very good. Singapore noodles weren’t on the menu, but I learned you could ask for them anyway, and I immediately fell in love with the curry-spiced noodles with stir-fried shrimp, onions, peppers, and other good things. Today I’m lucky to live near a Chinese takeout that makes Singapore noodles that are every bit as good, and, indeed, though the things I order from there vary, there is always an order of Singapore noodles! ---
**Author:** ![spikebrennan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@spikebrennan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spikebrennan)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/28 "2024-08-14T11:15:16Z")
General Tso’s Chicken Poutine (I’m from Philly, so it’s rare down here. When my son and I took a weekend trip to Toronto, we made two rules: we could only listen to Canadian music, and if we see poutine on the menu, we have to order it) ---
**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:** [August 14, 2024, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/29 "2024-08-14T11:17:15Z")
For breakfast, eggs Norwegian (Benedict with smoked salmon). Lunch, Liver & Onions Dinner, a whole snapper, grilled. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/30 "2024-08-14T11:33:00Z")
Reuben sandwiches French onion soup French dip sandwiches _creme brulee_ Sweet cream ice cream Poppyseed or rhubarb kolaches A genuine New York bagel or bialy ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/31 "2024-08-14T11:55:56Z")
I also like a good fish special as an entree. I’ll also strongly debate when there’s a pork chop available at a nice restaurant. Eggs Benedict is my breakfast cafe go-to. If there’s a slice of rhubarb or strawberry-rhubarb pie available, it’s mine. Shrimp and grits. Pretty much anything with an egg on it (steak and eggs, BELT, etc.). Low country boil. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/32 "2024-08-14T11:57:36Z")
Liver & Onions Eggs Benedict ---
**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:** [August 14, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/33 "2024-08-14T11:58:04Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > If there’s a slice of rhubarb or strawberry-rhubarb pie available, it’s mine. I’d be tempted, but I prefer _my_ take on rhubarb pie, which is dangerously tart. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/34 "2024-08-14T11:59:02Z")
I always order things that I do NOT make at home. I have two main reasons, one of which is variety. The second reason is that we tend to tailor the taste of the things we cook to the taste that we prefer the most, so the odds are that, if we order one of those meals in a restaurant, it might not taste quite as good as our own. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/35 "2024-08-14T12:01:24Z")
A Reuben sandwich. Lobster with drawn butter. Eggs Benedict. Cincinnati chili. Texas chili (no beans). Breaded shrimp. Deep-fried clams, a la HoJo. Welsh Rarebit. Bangers, bacon, and black & white puddings. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/36 "2024-08-14T12:08:39Z")
French Dip - especially for lunch, but often for evening meal. Usually order a breakfast skillet [hash browns, egg(s), meat(s) and sometimes onion] Brian ---
**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:** [August 14, 2024, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/37 "2024-08-14T12:09:31Z")
Carbonara Chicken fried steak with gravy Arancini (basically deep-fried risotto) I’m always tempted by biscuits and gravy, but I know it will be tasteless glop so resist. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/38 "2024-08-14T12:14:53Z")
Another vote for French Dip, in fact when we got to a new place, my partner will always say “I knew you were going to order that”. The only exception is if I’ve been to the place before and/or they make it too fussy (ciabatta bread? NO). Give me prime rib or decent roast beef, a FRENCH Roll and decent au jus that’s not water and I’m in heaven. If you must put horseradish or a bit of cheese on it, that’s ok but usually not an improvement. Breakfast is Eggs Benedict, especially Crab though that can be hit or miss, or Corned Beef Hash. Another mention is because I’ve only seen it once and had one of the best breakfasts of my life. Our local breakfast/lunch place (now sadly closed) which always had consistently good corned beef hash AND French dips, put a special of a cornmeal-fried trout. Just like my grandma used to make when we were camping. If I ever see that again, I’ll eat the hell out of it. ---
**Author:** ![GailForce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dfb087/32.png) [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/39 "2024-08-14T12:49:02Z")
In Cuban restaurants, my go-to dish is ropa vieja, partly because I like stewed meat, but mainly because I learned a long time ago that the name translates as “old clothes,” which I can’t but inform my dining partner(s) of, whether they speak Spanish or not or whether they have dined with me before and have learned this bit of information many times over. But recently I’ve discovered that I don’t really like the dish, and so have dropped it from my order and replaced it with a seafood dish. Of well-cooked meat, I have also removed most BBQ from my orders–I frequented BBQ restaurants for a long time, experimenting with different preparations and recipes, throughout the Deep South, before realizing again that I don’t really like overcooked meat that much, and most places tend to cook BBQ until it’s falling off the bone, that is to say, tasteless save the goop they heap upon it disguised as “sauce.” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/40 "2024-08-14T15:04:15Z")
Things I don’t usually, or can’t, cook at home. Patty melt or liver and onions (my partner can’t bear the smell of fried onions). Eggs Benedict (I can’t make a decent hollandaise sauce to save my life.). Prime rib. Any kind of fish or shrimp or crab, anything except squid or octopus. Anything right out of the deep fryer, especially fried chicken and onion rings (mom don’t do deep frying in the house). Chinese food, I love it, and Thai food. My attempts to make it have been very sad. There are thousands of Chinese and Thai places around, I will leave it to them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=3)