# "Veteran Moves" at Restaurants **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882 "2013-01-31T04:49:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/101 "2013-02-14T01:27:27Z")
Often when I go to a sushi restaurant I will ask for a specialized set of utensils\* most commonly seen in Japan…using them is considered a sign of coolness. I’ve done it so often that sometimes they put them down before I ask! - “chopsticks”. I believe they’re named after the song. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/102 "2013-02-14T01:38:45Z")
My moves must be pretty weak because no matter how I phrase it, half the time my Coke with no ice winds up with ice in it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/103 "2013-02-14T01:40:13Z")
It’s the set of your jaw, the glint in your eye, the firmness of your voice that makes you a true “veteran moves” player, TBG. Next time, don’t slouch and ask - stand up and demand! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/104 "2013-02-14T02:26:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The only “veteran move” I could think of is in a Thai restaurant, when I order basil chicken. I ask for it Thai spicy and with a fried egg on top. The latter request, though I’ve never been to Thailand, seems to indicate to the staff that I’m serious and know what I’m asking for with the former request. Otherwise, a simple request for “Thai spicy” or even “pedt-pedt” will often not drive the point home. For some reason, asking for a fried egg atop your basil chicken will. It’s true. I never ever eat basil chicken without a fried egg on top. It’s not all _that_ weird to omit it, but you don’t see it omitted often. They just goes together. ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/105 "2013-02-14T03:02:41Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > There’s a certain burger place where all of the waitresses greet me and seet me in in “my” chair and know exactly what I want without me having to say it. > > Either I’m as cool as the Fonz, or I’m really predictable and boring. That, or you are two years old. ---
**Author:** ![K.S.Masmacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@K.S.Masmacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K.S.Masmacho)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/106 "2013-02-14T03:54:47Z")
I guess I still am in need of studying the Art of Veteran Restaurant Moves at the feet of the rest of you Masters O’ Coolness. However, there was one such Master whom we shall call “Mikha” (how I wish it was me) who achieved the following: He went to a certain restaurant, ordered their \*okonomiyaki, \* (a Japanese delicacy) and asked them to add his own combination of three ingredients (cheese, onions, and kimchee, unless I am remembering incorrectly). Mikha made this his regular practice there. It wasn’t long before they printed new menus featuring “Mikha’s Special” on them, which remain to this day, even though Master Mikha himself is long gone. Whew! I have to go sit next to the fire now – I froze over just typing that. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/107 "2013-02-14T04:34:28Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > It’s true. I never ever eat basil chicken without a fried egg on top. It’s not all _that_ weird to omit it, but you don’t see it omitted often. They just goes together. I love fried eggs, and I think it’s _awesome_ on basil chicken, but it’s almost always something you have to ask for here in the States. It’s never a default that I’ve seen, nor have I usually seen it listed as an option–it’s just something you need to know is normal to ask for. Like I said, it seems to work as code for “I like food Thai style, so when I say I want it Thai spicy, give it to me Thai spicy.” ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/108 "2013-02-14T05:51:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I love fried eggs, and I think it’s _awesome_ on basil chicken, but it’s almost always something you have to ask for here in the States. It’s never a default that I’ve seen, nor have I usually seen it listed as an option–it’s just something you need to know is normal to ask for. Like I said, it seems to work as code for “I like food Thai style, so when I say I want it Thai spicy, give it to me Thai spicy.” You generally have to ask for it extra here too, but everyone almost always does. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/109 "2013-02-14T19:21:30Z")
Indian restaurant menus are really just a small selection of n! possible combinations, you can flip-it-book any combination. Shahi paneer, butter lamb, shrimp vindaloo…go for it! The staff will even often come out and coo and gawk over you, admiring your foodie-veteran coolness. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/110 "2013-02-14T19:35:52Z")
At almost any restaurant if you order a soda you can get unlimited refills, just ask!. That isn’t something they like to advertise, but its true! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/111 "2013-02-14T19:36:21Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > You guys have to go out for your food? Pfft, I get my food to come to me. There’s this great local pizza place that will bring me pizza, bread sticks, and wings. _To my house!_ The skies the limit at this hut-looking pizza restaurant. I hate to say it, but I’ve got you beat. I’ve discovered that if you just apply heat to raw ingredients in the right order, food comes out! It’s amazing! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/112 "2013-02-14T19:47:24Z")
> [@Beastly\_Rotter](#): > > That, or you are two years old. _Holds up three fingers_ I’m this many. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/113 "2013-02-14T20:24:38Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > My moves must be pretty weak because no matter how I phrase it, half the time my Coke with no ice winds up with ice in it. ☹ Tell me about it. Frequently if I order “water, no lemon” or “sweet tea, no lemon” the beverages come with lemon anyway, and I have to send them back. ---
**Author:** ![movax0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@movax0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movax0)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/114 "2013-02-14T20:37:12Z")
When I take a large party to a sitdown fast food dive like Logans or Applebees, I try to avoid the bill. However, when I am stuck with the bill, I proceed up front and buy enough Logans or Applebees bucks to pay the bill. You usually get $5 off on $25 of bucks. [http://www.bargainbeliever.com/blog/2011/11/logans-roadhouse-gift-card-bonus-deal-spend-25-get-5-logan-bucks/](http://www.bargainbeliever.com/blog/2011/11/logans-roadhouse-gift-card-bonus-deal-spend-25-get-5-logan-bucks/) ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/115 "2013-02-14T20:55:03Z")
But you suffered the torture that is Applebee’s food. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/116 "2013-02-16T00:33:20Z")
Very often when I order in a restaurant, the waiter admiringly tells me, “Excellent choice!” ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/117 "2013-02-16T01:03:00Z")
On one now legendary trip to Arbys, I found myself craving a Beef N Cheddar but they don’t put enough meat on it. The Medium Roast Beef, on the other hand, has enough beef but they use that shitty cheese and a bun that’s not an Onion Bun. I appeared to be Calm, Cool, and Collected as I stepped up to the counter, but my heart was pounding. Would I be able to pull this off? "Medium Roast Beef _on an onion bun. With the good cheddar."_ I stepped back, basking in the gasps of the people in line behind me. But the cashier didn’t bat an eye. A drink inquiry, some tapping on the register, then “Your total will be $4.53”. Women fainted and strong men stared with open mouths. I stepped to my right, and the next in line stepped up, knowing before he even opened his mouth that he couldn’t match my glory. He mumbled his order, unseen and unheard by any except the cashier. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/118 "2013-02-16T01:18:46Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Tell me about it. Frequently if I order “water, no lemon” or “sweet tea, no lemon” the beverages come with lemon anyway, and I have to send them back. We got it so bad. ☹ ---
**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:** [February 16, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/119 "2013-02-16T01:46:13Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Tell me about it. Frequently if I order “water, no lemon” or “sweet tea, no lemon” the beverages come with lemon anyway, and I have to send them back. I really, really have to wonder what kind of places you guys go to where a simple request is ignored half the time or more. Seriously, I’ve had fuck ups like this from time-to-time, but on the order of 5% of the time, not 50%, like folks in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882/120 "2013-02-16T05:31:43Z")
I am such a regular at several restaurants in my town that I don’t even need to wait for a seat at a table. If I ask, they will put my food in paper containers and let me take it with me to eat wherever I like. This smooth move allows me to avoid having to leave a tip for the wait-staff, saving me 5 to 10% of the price of the meal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/veteran-moves-at-restaurants/648882.md?page=7)