What to order when eating out?

[scrappindixie]

What do you order when you go out to eat? I try to cook as much as I can at home, but we end up eating out at least one time a week. I will usually make that my cheat meal, but on occasions that we eat out more than once, I need to know what is best to order. I try to order grilled chicken, but it always seems to arrive covered in grease or something, it's grose. So, any pointers?

[Erik]

Originally posted by scrappindixie@Jun 2 2006, 11:37 AM
What do you order when you go out to eat? I try to cook as much as I can at home, but we end up eating out at least one time a week. I will usually make that my cheat meal, but on occasions that we eat out more than once, I need to know what is best to order. I try to order grilled chicken, but it always seems to arrive covered in grease or something, it's grose. So, any pointers?
Ask specifically for it not to be cooked that way. I've never had a problem with a restaurant not accomodating me.

[Jen]

I have sent broccoli back 3X before.. asked for just steamed no butter... most restaruants are willing to cater to your dietary needs. Just dont be afraid to ask!

[scrappindixie]

Originally posted by Thunder@Jun 2 2006, 10:37 AM
Ask specifically for it not to be cooked that way. I've never had a problem with a restaurant not accomodating me.
Do you just ask them to grill it plain?

[PinkGlitter86]

Originally posted by scrappindixie@Jun 2 2006, 11:40 AM
Do you just ask them to grill it plain?
Yup, say that if it's grilled w/butter or sauce or whatever, you don't want it.

As someone who's worked in a few restaurants, we're used to it. Just say how you want it...because it's so annoying to be told AFTER the meal is made. :dry:

[Pinky]

I hate asking to have my food cooked special. I know it is expected, just feel weird doing it.

[Jypsie]

Don't feel bad asking for the food to be made a certain way. For most restaurants it's not a big deal to change things up a bit. If you think they will give you a hard time about it, try telling them you have food allergies and need to make sure you don't have any butter or oil or whatever it is that you don't want. They will usually go out of their way to accomodate you because the last thing they want is to make their customers sick.

[strongchick]

I've had restaurants make something completely NOT on the menu for me. They're usually willing....just ask.

[Lynny]

Originally posted by strongchick@Jun 2 2006, 11:44 AM
I've had restaurants make something completely NOT on the menu for me. They're usually willing....just ask.
haha ditto!

[leeway]

I'll normally have some kind of salad with grilled chicken breast and ask for the dressing on the side. I've sent salads back that didn't have the dressing on the side.

[GraceGirl]

Like others said, I'll ask to have my order cooked a certain way, veggies steamed, with no other sauces added. Although usually, I tend to stick with a salad with the dressing on the side. But then again, we really don't go out all that much, and when we do, we go to a place where I love their salads. I'm a salad freak. :)

Do you know what else I do?? When we go to Mexican places, I bring my own light chips and tortillas. They're not exactly clean, but they're a heck of a lot better than the crap ones those restaurants give you! I also bring my own salad dressing. :p

[PinkGlitter86]

Originally posted by strongchick@Jun 2 2006, 01:44 PM
I've had restaurants make something completely NOT on the menu for me. They're usually willing....just ask.
Seriously. It's soooo much better to have a satisfied customer than someone who either pokes around at their food and doesn't eat it *or* sends it back five times because they never asked for what they really wanted (it's one thing if they did specify something and it was done incorrectly, but I've had several customers make minor changes every freakin' time their meal was cooked until it was to their approval...just ask the first time!). I used to feel weird asking for something, but it seriously not only makes your life as a customer easier, but it relieves all of the people who worked to bring you your meal.

[dare]

Originally posted by GraceGirl@Jun 2 2006, 12:58 PM
Like others said, I'll ask to have my order cooked a certain way, veggies steamed, with no other sauces added. Although usually, I tend to stick with a salad with the dressing on the side. But then again, we really don't go out all that much, and when we do, we go to a place where I love their salads. I'm a salad freak. :)

Do you know what else I do?? When we go to Mexican places, I bring my own light chips and tortillas. They're not exactly clean, but they're a heck of a lot better than the crap ones those restaurants give you! I also bring my own salad dressing. :p
GraceGirl - I just have to say...you are SO BEAUTIFUL!! :) Love the pic! Do you have a journal? I couldn't see one.

[jrb1980]

I always ask for it - they say no problem - and NEVER deliver - I am always pissed but usually with clients and so I suck it up and go home pissed.

[Ruby]

This may sound silly, but sometimes I'm worried that someone would spit in my food because I was being a pain :lol:

[Vtek33]

Grilled salmon (no oil), sweet potato baked plain and steamed veggies. Perfectly clean meal that can be had a restaurant.

[Cali]

I had this for dinner tonight. :D (no sweet potato though.) And yes, I had to send it back since it came all greased up and I'd asked for no oil or butter. But it turned out really yummy once I got it back.

[drlinda]

You can also tell them you have food allergies and must have everything steamed or grilled or baked with no sauce. My son happens to have food allergies, and we have not had any problems with the restaurants delivering what we asked for.

[Lydia]

If you're going to a place that's a "chain" (example Boston Pizza) they sometimes post nutritional info on their website. You can at least have a look and see what the best choice may be. It can be scary though...

[sunseeker]

Originally posted by Lydia@Jun 6 2006, 08:32 AM
If you're going to a place that's a "chain" (example Boston Pizza) they sometimes post nutritional info on their website. You can at least have a look and see what the best choice may be. It can be scary though...
Boston Pizza also has a "lighter" menu which I ordered from on my last visit...(forget now what I had though) :confused:
My rule of thumb is always ask for dressings on the side and no mayo etc. I've always found restaurants to be very accommodating.