# Unexpected excellent items in restaurants **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671 "2014-09-16T18:00:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/21 "2014-09-17T16:56:02Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > White Castle makes a fish sandwich that is outstanding. Too bad it’s approaching $2, for such a tiny item. (Even worse, I now live 10 hours from the nearest Castle.) Oh god, yes. Those teeny, tiny fish sandwiches are wonderful. Also: Del Taco’s crinkle cut fries. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/22 "2014-09-17T17:16:33Z")
This may sound strange, but the Texas-based hamburger chain Whataburger has by far, hands-down the best ketchup out there. As in, people used to hoard the little tubs for use with other chains’ fries and stuff. Now you can buy it in bottles at certain stores. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/23 "2014-09-17T17:24:29Z")
> [@bump](#): > > This may sound strange, but the Texas-based hamburger chain Whataburger has by far, hands-down the best ketchup out there. As in, people used to hoard the little tubs for use with other chains’ fries and stuff. > > Now you can buy it in bottles at certain stores. There is nothing odd at all about that. I adore that ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/24 "2014-09-17T17:25:12Z")
The best burger in Portland Oregon can be found at Bamboo Sushi. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/25 "2014-09-17T17:37:06Z")
Pizza Hut has the best bleu cheese dip I have ever tasted. It has real bleu cheese in it without having the “dirty” taste that a lot of bleu cheese dressings have. The best buffalo wings I ever had, though? Got 'em from the concession booth at the Rose Garden (now the Moda Center) in Portland, OR. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/26 "2014-09-17T19:09:06Z")
> [@bump](#): > > This may sound strange, but the Texas-based hamburger chain Whataburger has by far, hands-down the best ketchup out there. As in, people used to hoard the little tubs for use with other chains’ fries and stuff. > > **Now you can buy it in bottles at certain stores**. Also on Amazon, for people who are intrigued…like me. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/27 "2014-09-17T19:12:21Z")
We went to an Italian place on Santana Row, and had the best Brussels sprouts and bacon salad I’ve ever had. We reproduced it later. It was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/28 "2014-09-17T19:34:58Z")
[Behind these trees](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2800+Jefferson+Davis+Highway,+Arlington,+VA&hl=en&ll=38.84859,-77.05287&spn=0.003309,0.009924&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.572078,10.162354&oq=2800+jefferson+davis+highwy&hnear=2800+Jefferson+Davis+Hwy,+Arlington,+Virginia+22202&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.848591,-77.052869&panoid=OtjUSr4gQH_7yoMoeH6o-g&cbp=11,86.05,,0,-5.12) is a deli which serves some great deep fried mushrooms. I’d have them with my lunch, with their ranch dressing to which I’d add a few drops of hot sauce, at least once a week when I worked nearby. No idea if they still have it but [Summers](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2100+Clarendon+Boulevard,+Arlington,+VA&hl=en&ll=38.8915,-77.084134&spn=0.003307,0.009924&sll=38.84859,-77.05287&sspn=0.007345,0.009924&oq=2100+clarendon+&hnear=2100+Clarendon+Blvd,+Arlington,+Virginia+22201&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.891497,-77.084132&panoid=_bWi_I4AAVMNljcifpZ0nA&cbp=11,174.45,,0,7.03) had the best New England Clam Chowder that I ever tasted. You know how Mexican restaurants typically serve free chips & salsa? In the western suburbs of New Orleans, just off Jefferson Highway, is [a seafood resturant](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=70123&hl=en&ll=29.960521,-90.171962&spn=0.00184,0.004962&sll=38.8915,-77.084134&sspn=0.00734,0.009924&hnear=New+Orleans,+Louisiana+70123&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=29.960521,-90.17196&panoid=So8LODz862lWKn10dWvwww&cbp=11,65.83,,0,-3.82) that serves free plates of dill pickles. First time I was in there was with my parents and a family friend visting from Wisconsin. We went through at least two plates of pickles before our dinners arrived! ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/29 "2014-09-18T07:14:00Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > There’s a little old seafood place in N. Syracuse, NY called The Clam Bar. Small, dark, dingy, been there forever. They serve seafood, of course, and it’s good, though you don’t get much for your money. Never mind that: they have chicken wings. The same old Buffalo Wings. Their very own recipe - excellent! and Mexican chile lime wings - OMG! I have seldom ever had anything so delicious as the chile lime chicken wings at The Clam Bar. Outstanding, different, just to die for. Thanks for the heads-up! That place is about fifteen minutes from my little sister’s house. Next time I go up to see the nieces, we’ll make a quick detour on the way back from the airport. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/30 "2014-09-18T17:25:35Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > You know how Mexican restaurants typically serve free chips & salsa? In the western suburbs of New Orleans, just off Jefferson Highway, is [a seafood resturant](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=70123&hl=en&ll=29.960521,-90.171962&spn=0.00184,0.004962&sll=38.8915,-77.084134&sspn=0.00734,0.009924&hnear=New+Orleans,+Louisiana+70123&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=29.960521,-90.17196&panoid=So8LODz862lWKn10dWvwww&cbp=11,65.83,,0,-3.82) that serves free plates of dill pickles. First time I was in there was with my parents and a family friend visting from Wisconsin. We went through at least two plates of pickles before our dinners arrived! This isn’t unusual because it’s a burger place, but Jackson Hole in New York would serve bowls of sliced-across dill pickles for the pre-food freebie. Best I’ve had – still really crisp but with the dill taste. Yum, yum. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/31 "2014-09-18T17:37:17Z")
I was at a Fort Lauderdale, FL, seafood restaurant (I think 15th Street Fisheries), and my friend ordered the steak. I made some good natured jokes about ordering steak at a seafood place, but he assured me it was awesome. When it came, he gave me a bite, and it was incredibly good. I was definitely surprised. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/32 "2014-09-18T21:21:52Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > I was at a Fort Lauderdale, FL, seafood restaurant (I think 15th Street Fisheries), and my friend ordered the steak. I made some good natured jokes about ordering steak at a seafood place, but he assured me it was awesome. When it came, he gave me a bite, and it was incredibly good. I was definitely surprised. O.M.G. In my youth I cooked at a very nice seafood restaurant in Pittsburgh. The restaurant sold an awful lot of steak, leading to lots of derision of Pittsburgh by the corporate dudes. ETA: on several occasions I had people order a beautiful filet mignon, butterflied and cooked well done. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/33 "2014-09-18T21:28:29Z")
I have looked and looked, but we had a great app. at Brian Malarkey’s Oceanaire in San Diego, that we nicknamed Calamari Nachos-from what I remember, quick sauteed calamari with pretty typical Mexican spices and yes, tortilla chips. I wish I could find the recipe, because I got it on a whimsical “what the hell is this?” moment, and my BF laughed at me, but we ate every bit. Sadly it was not on the menu the next time we went, and I believe Brian has moved on. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/34 "2014-09-18T21:55:14Z")
**InfoVore** , Re: Mojo Potatoes, Here is the recipe I found 6 large Idaho baking potatoes 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 2 teaspoons thyme Salt and pepper About 1/2 cup milk Vegetable oil (for frying) Bake potatoes at 425 degrees F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cool. Cut each potato into 6 (1/4-inch) rounds. Heat oil to 375 degrees F. Stir together the flour, cayenne, thyme, salt and pepper to taste. Dip each potato wedge into the milk and then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Deep fry wedges without overcrowding for about 1 1/2 minutes until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels and serve. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/35 "2014-09-18T22:45:33Z")
> [@janis\_and\_c0](#): > > **InfoVore** , Re: Mojo Potatoes, Here is the recipe I found > > \ Ooh, cool! Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671/36 "2014-09-19T03:14:15Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > I only go to Long John Silver’s for the chicken strips. Not the strips, but the regular chicken is amazing, much better than the fish. (It’s been a while since I’ve been there, since someone misunderstood the concept of drivethru and destroyed the local one, so maybe we’re discussing the same thing.) Also, Subway’s salad is pretty dadblasted good. It actually has a nice variety of stuff in it, and they don’t just use cherry tomatoes. I’m sure there are others, but they aren’t coming to mind right now. > [@bump](#): > > This may sound strange, but the Texas-based hamburger chain Whataburger has by far, hands-down the best ketchup out there. As in, people used to hoard the little tubs for use with other chains’ fries and stuff. > > Now you can buy it in bottles at certain stores. Is it less sweet? Because I really want to find a ketchup that isn’t so sweet. I liked standard ketchup as a kid, but now it seems too sweet. I guess I became more sensitive to sweetness as a grew up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unexpected-excellent-items-in-restaurants/698671.md?page=1)