# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/61 "2024-08-14T20:18:28Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > If I’m at a bar and they have a Painkiller on the menu, I’ll order it. I looked it up. I’m trying that next chance I get. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/62 "2024-08-14T20:26:57Z")
Liver and onions. I’m surprised at all the others here saying it too, I thought nobody liked it but me! I don’t run across it very often though. Fish tacos, almost always a good bet. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/63 "2024-08-14T20:36:06Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > One of my primary rules of thumb when eating out at a nice / fancy restaurant is “Never turn down a chance to eat a duck.” Only rarely will I skip the duck on the first visit to a particular restaurant. We ate at a very upscale steakhouse with my daughter’s family. Her twelve-year daughter isn’t really fussy, but she just doesn’t like steaks or chops. The waiter, knowing how to handle such situations, recommended the duck breast. We were doubtful, but she loved it; it was the highlight of her trip. For me, I’ll order stuff that we can’t make at home, or that my wife doesn’t like the smell of cooking (like fried onions). So I’ll get something like fried chicken or a patty melt. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/64 "2024-08-14T20:37:20Z")
Steak tartare. I don’t often see it on menus, but if I’m at a place that has it, you bet I’m getting it! ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/65 "2024-08-14T20:42:22Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > Mushy peas I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum, but really? ---
**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, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/66 "2024-08-14T21:26:55Z")
Bangers and Mash just ain’t the same without Mushy Peas. The trick is to add mint and lots of butter! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/67 "2024-08-14T21:27:41Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > Soft Shell Crabs > Turtle soup These are two of mine, for sure. I love both those items, when they’re prepared right. Also, if a restaurant offers **Époisses de Bourgogne** I must order that. If a cuban place has **sweet fried plantains** , I’m all in for that too, along with **Croquetas de Jamón**. ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/68 "2024-08-14T21:28:27Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I love going there because they have things I’d never try to make at home. And it’s not cruelly expensive. Very interesting. If we find ourselves in Eugene for any reason, I think we’ll try it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/69 "2024-08-14T21:32:18Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Steak tartare. I don’t often see it on menus, but if I’m at a place that has it, you bet I’m getting it! That reminds me. I’ll almost always order tuna tartare if they have it. (and it’s a decent place) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/70 "2024-08-14T21:37:10Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > chicken-fried steak - a diner classic. With good gravy and mashed taters! > [@dorvann](#): > > Fried shrimp. Yep. > [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Grilled octopus. I wont eat octopus anymore. they are too smart. > [@spikebrennan](#): > > Poutine Good poutine. we ate at _le Cellier_ in Epcot and it was fabulous. > [@LVBoPeep](#): > > Another vote for French Dip, Always a good choice. > [@kayT](#): > > In California I could find good falafel almost everywhere Here in CA, you could more or less put nearly any food in there. For me- real shrimp cocktail. I often order a cheeseburger and fries to compare. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/71 "2024-08-14T21:58:55Z")
As others have already mentioned, I love French Onion Soup. Unfortunately, the last 2-3 times I’ve ordered it, I have been severely disappointed. But I won’t stop. Also, Hot and Sour Soup Steak tartare ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/72 "2024-08-14T22:30:25Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Monte Cristo sandwiches. Fortunately, restaurants that still serve these are far and few between. This was going to be my answer. We had two restaurants in Little Rock that served them and one of them closed a few months back. My only option is a restaurant called Cheddar’s and the food there is so horrible I can’t in good conscience make my wife go there just so I can get a Monte Cristo. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/73 "2024-08-14T23:05:48Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > Very interesting. If we find ourselves in Eugene for any reason, I think we’ll try it. I hope you will! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂 > [@Odesio](#): > > This was going to be my answer. Isn’t that funny? They’re not popular these days. And honestly, I don’t know why I resist making them at home. Cooking is my thing. I make many of the items mentioned in this thread at home from scratch: Patty melts, French dip sandwiches, ravioli, creme brulee, Eggs Benedict and so on. Humble Brag: My Hollandaise is so killer, I can’t stand to eat Eggs Benedict anywhere but at home. And if anyone wants a recipe for a good hot and sour soup, I’m your girl. But for some reason, doing all the steps to make a Monte Cristo sandwich at home is something I’ve never been moved to do. Homemade beer-battered fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce? Sure. But not the Monte Cristo. Kind of inexplicable, when I think about it. * * * These are fun threads. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/74 "2024-08-14T23:24:00Z")
Giving it some thought, my answer is: nothing. I have no idea how good the prep is at a restaurant I’ve never been to, so why have the mental ideal of a dish destroyed by taking a chance on an unknown? Now, there are dishes I use to judge the quality of an eating establishment, but they aren’t necessarily my “go-to, have to order it” meals. Once I have tested the mettle of the kitchen, I’ll order a favorite. But not sight/taste unseen/untasted. I might order a Manhattan at a new bar, especially if they offer an interpretation of the classic. That way I can sneer at the bartender on the way out at his failure and disgrace. (Nobody makes a better Manhattan than I do. That’s a Universal Constant.) ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/75 "2024-08-14T23:30:06Z")
Chicken fried steak (once) - so many places cannot do CFS properly that I’ve sent more than a few back, and ordered something else. Ditto with the gravy. When I find a place where I like it, it’s always the top of my list. Oysters on the half shell - 'nuff said. Good onion rings - they are the bane of my existence. As mentioned above, Reubens. Fortunately the Mrs. and I sleep in separate bedrooms, so the ixnay on Reubens no longer applies 🤣 German potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce - tough to screw this one up. Most anything that has green chiles. Corned beef hash and eggs. Bisquits and gravy - see qualifications for chicken fried steak above. I’ve had some absolutely dreamy, I’ve had some absolutely nightmarish. Tamales or chile relleno for Mexican. Fried shrimp, crawfish etouffe or gumbo (though the rice messes with my diabetes something fierce) ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/76 "2024-08-15T02:21:38Z")
Tuna tataki or tartare; beef tartare. Breakfast or any time; home fries, peppers, onions, 2 or 3 eggs over easy on top. Steak house - I’ll get a baked potato the size of Rhode Island, I’ll ask for a big one! ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/77 "2024-08-15T02:35:56Z")
Beef Wellington It’s been a long, long time. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/78 "2024-08-15T03:08:10Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Monte Cristo sandwiches. Fortunately, restaurants that still serve these are far and few between. Two places in Disneyland. > [@Dogginit](#): > > Bisquits and gravy - see qualifications for chicken fried steak above. I’ve had some absolutely dreamy, I’ve had some absolutely nightmarish. Yeah. I have a story. There was this hotel in San Diego my Dad used to love to go to-, then trot down to Baja for a day trip. Anyway, the hotel restaurant had good Biscuits and gravy, and you could have that instead of toast, so of course I choose that and my dad would also choose it and give me his. (He always got steak and eggs anyway) So I saw just Biscuits and gravy down in the fine print, so I ordered a double order- so that would be two biscuits, right? Plus my dads- three? Oh no, an order of Biscuits and gravy had 2-3 biscuits. So I had SIX- which was too many. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/79 "2024-08-15T03:09:11Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Two places in Disneyland. Yes, that’s where they originated. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/80 "2024-08-15T03:24:50Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > Prime rib. Yeah, if they’ve got a Prime Rib I’m probably ordering it. And for dessert, Bread Pudding. Mainly because everybody likes to add a little something (currants, raisins, dates, whatever) so I’m always looking to see if anybody has improved on the simple perfection of my personal recipe. So far, they haven’t, but to live is to dream. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=5)