# 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:** 5
**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 15, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/81 "2024-08-15T03:49:11Z")
Popovers, rarely offered, exquisite simplicity. Cream scones Oatmeal scones Beignets ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/82 "2024-08-15T10:33:40Z")
Singapore noodles? No thank you, if they aren’t calling it by its real name, Hokkien Mee, then I know they aren’t making it standard and I’m out. If I’m in any Chinese restaurant and see Chicken Rice, I’m def having that! For Bao, if I see Korean pork belly bao, I’ll stand in line a long while. Also curried goat, if I see this offered at a festival I’m def having 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 15, 2024, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/83 "2024-08-15T11:14:27Z")
Something I’ve only seen once, at a crazy chef’s tasting meal is a German dish called **Mett**. It is ground pork, served raw, with onions. Think steak tartare but pork. I’d drive 500 miles for it, but I doubt I’ll ever find it on a menu. > **[Mett](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett)** > > Mett (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}German: \[mɛt\] ⓘ), also known as Hackepeter (Northern Germany, Eastern Germany, Bavaria and Berlin), is a preparation of minced raw pork seasoned with salt and black pepper that is popular in Germany. It is frequently spread on halves of a bread roll, with raw onion optionally on top. Since the Th... ---
**Author:** ![Strenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@Strenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strenger)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/84 "2024-08-15T12:24:14Z")
If they have it on a slate or menu. Chicken-fried steak. They can’t screw that up. Otherwise, BLT, add mustard, hold mayo, fries. Or Hamburger, add bacon, no cheese, fries. Nobody can screw those up. Anything else: well, I’d be going there for some other reason. For some random diner or whatever, though, I’d stick with what they can probably do. Two eggs, fried over hard, bacon, wheat toast, potatoes, and a fork. ---
**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 15, 2024, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/85 "2024-08-15T12:38:16Z")
> [@Strenger](#): > > Chicken-fried steak. They can’t screw that up. You’d be surprised at the number of places that can screw up chicken-fried steak. ---
**Author:** ![Strenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@Strenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strenger)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/86 "2024-08-15T12:59:27Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > You’d be surprised at the number of places that can screw up chicken-fried steak. Well, explain! The answer will be probably terrifying, but one must know! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/87 "2024-08-15T13:14:50Z")
The best bread pudding I ever had was cold, from the deli of a grocery store. A layer of custard (not pudding, but real custard) and a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg on top. It was just addictive. ---
**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 15, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/88 "2024-08-15T13:24:29Z")
> [@Strenger](#): > > > [@Dogginit](#): > > > > You’d be surprised at the number of places that can screw up chicken-fried steak. > > Well, explain! The answer will be probably terrifying, but one must know! I’ve had “tough-as-shoe-leather” CFS to “I wish this had as much flavor as shoe leather”. At a pretty popular (and slightly spendy for what you get) restaurant in Carver, the dish had no flavor, no seasonings, not even salt and pepper - I sent it back and got something else. That’s why I say I’ll order it once in a new to me restaurant, just to see if they do it well. There are a lot of places that don’t. But when I find a place that does it well, it’ll be my go-to almost every time. A couple of the local pubs/saloons here do it very, very well, and will gladly make it into a chicken-fried steak sandwich for me if I ask nicely 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Strenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@Strenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strenger)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/89 "2024-08-15T13:36:21Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > That’s why I say I’ll order it once in a new to me restaurant, just to see if they do it well. There are a lot of places that don’t. But when I find a place that does it well That’s both horrifying and enlightening. First thought of mine was if they put it on the slate/chalkboard then I’m having it. With either white or brown gravy, wheat or rye toast, two eggs over, potatoes and a coffee. But, yes, they can probably not even get a side of CFS right these days, seems like. Another thing people screw up is a damned gyro. Fool me once, whatever, but ain’t paying again twenty bucks for a stupid streetfood sandwich unless you shave that lamb right in front of me. I guess yuppies will eat anything. and it’s not so much the price, but if I want to buy a streetfood, it should be cheap and I want to see it prepared, right in front of me. And that is why we always have tacos lengua and carnitas, three at a time. Always. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/90 "2024-08-15T13:42:56Z")
I happen to love them and only see them on the menu in the UK. So it’s extremely rare for me to eat them. I saw another guy in the thread had mushy peas on his/her list. You really had to say this? ---
**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 15, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/91 "2024-08-15T13:49:45Z")
> [@Strenger](#): > > Chicken-fried steak. Never had it. Sorry, I don’t see how breading and frying a cheap steak would be good. ---
**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 15, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/92 "2024-08-15T14:12:04Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I happen to love them and only see them on the menu in the UK. > So it’s extremely rare for me to eat them. > > I saw another guy in the thread had mushy peas on his/her list. > > You really had to say this? my apologies, I did not phrase my response well. I’ve never had mushy peas, only regular garden peas steamed or boiled, often part of an overlooked “mixed vegetable” course. They are benign, but certainly not something I seek out. So, I am wondering what makes mushy peas so good in your mind? Is there a particular recipe you would recommend? ---
**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 15, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/93 "2024-08-15T14:19:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Sorry, I don’t see how breading and frying a cheap steak would be good. Try it. You might be surprised. Although, as @Dogginit said above, it’s quite possible to screw it up, particularly if the meat isn’t sufficiently tenderized or it’s fried a bit too long. But a good chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy is quite tasty. ---
**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 15, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/94 "2024-08-15T14:22:56Z")
When my gf visited the UK she had mushy peas at a pub and loved them. She has made them a few times since, soaking dried marrowfat peas in water with some baking soda overnight and then simmering them in water until you have a “thickened sludge”. Delicious! ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/95 "2024-08-15T14:44:34Z")
> [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I happen to love them and only see them on the menu in the UK. > > So it’s extremely rare for me to eat them. > > > > I saw another guy in the thread had mushy peas on his/her list. > > > > You really had to say this? > > my apologies, I did not phrase my response well. I’ve never had mushy peas, only regular garden peas steamed or boiled, often part of an overlooked “mixed vegetable” course. They are benign, but certainly not something I seek out. So, I am wondering what makes mushy peas so good in your mind? Is there a particular recipe you would recommend? It’s all good. Sometimes it is difficult to get someone’s actual meaning in the written narrative. Thank you for explaining. I enjoy bland foods and discovering this one was a gem in my experience. Maybe it is the texture of the hard marrow fat peas with the surrounding “mashed potato” texture that delighted me. Adding butter makes them divine! It could also be that it now has the association of foreign travel attached to it if that makes any sense. I ate them everytime I ordered fish and chips in London lol. Memory food? They are definitely better as a restaurant item as I have since bought canned mushy peas and they are OK but not the same. I haven’t tried to make them yet as I am a reluctant cook but it’s definitely something I plan to do. ---
**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 15, 2024, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/96 "2024-08-15T14:50:58Z")
I am going to try to make them! You are definitely right that the context or situation when eating definitely can make a particular food more memorable or enjoyable ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/97 "2024-08-15T14:54:38Z")
A good Reuben is the best possible sandwich, and I’m always willing to try someone’s version at least once. Even a poor Reuben is a pretty good sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/98 "2024-08-15T15:01:29Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > German potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce - tough to screw this one up. I make latkes at home regularly and I haven’t been excited by anything similar in a restaurant. Our own eggs, home made applesauce, home made yogurt. And fresh sauerkraut. The Member of the Wedding meal, for me (that is, the meal you want prepared and passed under your nose before you’re put in your coffin, to make sure you’re dead). ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/99 "2024-08-15T15:39:55Z")
My three go-tos for this are eggs Benedict, a Reuben sandwich, and the chile relleno. Would make a good day of eating, but it would have to be after a long hike or ride or else I’d put on some pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2024, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680/100 "2024-08-15T17:09:01Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > The best bread pudding I ever had was cold, from the deli of a grocery store. A layer of custard (not pudding, but real custard) and a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg on top. It was just addictive. The best bread pudding I ever had was from the Department of Water and Power Employee Cafeteria in Los Angeles (it was open to the public). A cold heaaaavy brick of bread pudding which was amazing. It made it so I DON’T ever order bread pudding out in the world. I know its not going to be as good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-always-order-if-you-see-it-on-a-menu/1005680.md?page=6)