Avoiding certain menu items at restaurants can ensure a better dining experience and protect your health. Here are ten dishes you should think twice about before ordering.
Strong food choices can make or break your meal, but navigating a restaurant's menu is often easier said than done. With insider insights from industry experts, this guide reveals ten items you might want to steer clear of. From avoid ordering swordfish to being cautious with daily specials, here's what to keep in mind when dining out.
1. Swordfish: A Cause for Concern
Avoid ordering swordfish due to its substantial mercury levels and potential freshness issues. This sometimes prized fish can become a gamble at many restaurants. Concerns arise from its tendency to be served after being frozen and thawed multiple times, leading to a lackluster flavor and texture. Some establishments, especially those with lower quality standards, may not disclose when they've served a less-than-premium cut, disguising it as a superior product. One former restaurant worker recounts dealing with numerous swordfish cuts laden with parasites and tumors, reinforcing the idea that this dish should rarely make it to your plate.
2. Soups of the Day: Leftovers in Disguise
While soups of the day can seem appealing, they often represent a clever method to utilize leftovers. Many times, these soups are made from ingredients that have overstayed their welcome. They run the risk of harboring foodborne illnesses, especially if they're mixed with other toppings or items. It's a common belief among servers that these daily specials serve as a last-ditch effort to clear out old ingredients, hence, exercise caution with what sounds like a fresh offering.
3. Chicken: Dry and Dismal
The quality concerns with restaurant chicken are well-known in the dining industry. Often cooked to death to ensure safety, the resulting chicken can be dry and unappetizing. With many establishments keeping chicken under heat lamps to maintain temperature, this can lead to even further drying. Expect over-seasoning in many cases, as cooks try to mask the bland and often unappealing flavor of chicken that’s seen better days. Avoiding grilled or baked chicken can save you from a disappointing meal.
4. Coffee Quality in Restaurants: Proceed with Caution
Don’t assume that the coffee served in your favorite café is top-notch. Coffee quality in restaurants can vary significantly, with many establishments failing to clean their brewing machines regularly. Stale, burnt-tasting coffee can be a result of pots that sit on warmers for hours. Especially when visiting chains like Starbucks, ask about when the coffee was brewed to ensure that it hasn’t been languishing on the burner too long.
5. Buffet Food: Risky Business
Buffets can be a quick way to sample a variety of dishes, but they come with their own pitfalls. Prolonged exposure to heat and air can compromise the freshness and safety of food items. Shared serving utensils increase the likelihood of cross-contamination. Servers often highlight buffets as breeding grounds for foodborne illnesses, linking unsanitary practices and continuous handling of food to health risks. If variety is what you crave, consider ordering individual items instead for a fresher experience.
6. The Daily Special: Wait Until Earlier in the Day
Dishes labeled as the daily special may offer excitement for the palate; however, ordering these near closing time could lead to disappointing quality. Often, these specials are crafted from ingredients nearing their expiration date. To ensure a meal that is both fresh and enjoyable, opt for daily specials earlier in service.
7. Large Fries and Wedges: Gunky and Greasy
Many diners gravitate toward hearty sides like wedges or large fries, but these options can lead to soggy disappointments. The thicker texture causes excess oil absorption, making them greasy. Furthermore, as the fries sit out, they lose their crispness and can become limp. If fries are a must-include with your meal, consider requesting thin cut options or even opting to reheat them once they arrive at your table.
8. Avoid Pre-Dressed Salads
Although salads are generally perceived as a healthy option, the risk of wilting and excessive dressing means pre-dressed salads are often not the best choice. Requesting the dressing served on the side allows you to dictate how much you use and maintains the integrity of the vegetables. Furthermore, many industry insiders warn against the condition of the leafy greens, often indicating a lack of hygiene regarding how these salads are prepared.
9. Hollandaise Sauce: Handle with Care
Hollandaise sauce is notorious for its delicate nature. This beloved sauce requires precise temperature regulation to prevent spoilage. A common complaint among servers is that many establishments serve hollandaise that has not been made fresh daily, heightening the risk of foodborne illness. If you're craving Eggs Benedict, it's worth assessing how the restaurant approaches its sauces.
10. Be Cautious with Ice
Ice may seem innocuous, but dirty ice machines can lead to problems. Servers have highlighted that ice machines are often neglected and can become a magnet for mold and bacteria growth. Unclean handling methods can introduce contaminants, which might compromise the drink you're enjoying. Even upscale venues aren’t immune, so it’s worth considering ordering drinks without ice just to be safe.
Dining out can be an enjoyable experience, but making informed choices is critical to safeguarding your health and ensuring satisfaction. Knowledge about what to avoid, such as the risks of daily specials, buffet food safety, and quality concerns restaurant chicken, will enhance your next culinary excursion. By being mindful of what you order, you will maximize your chances of enjoying a delightful meal without undesirable surprises.