Dining
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Add lots of salt to a dish before sending it back if you suspect it will not be remade.
If the replacement tastes salty, you will know they did not give you a fresh plate.
- Some kitchens respect the food enough to remake it regardless.
3 people, independently
Ask 'What is popular?' instead of 'What's good here?' when ordering.
Asking what is 'good' can rudely imply that only a few dishes on the menu are fit to eat.
- Some people doubt that asking 'what's good' is perceived as rude.
one person who lived it
Keep accurate time cards in food service to ensure you are paid for mandatory overtime, such as nightly closing duties.
Small amounts of extra time, like 2 hours every night, add up to a lot.
one person who lived it
View fine dining as an experience or art form rather than a means to get satiety.
Fine dining focuses on sensation and subverting expectations rather than hunger and nourishment.
- One person pregames with a snack to avoid being distractingly hungry while experiencing the food.
one person who lived it
Place a $5 or $10 bill in the tip jar to raise the perceived average tip.
People often avoid looking like cheapskates and adjust their tipping based on what they see.
one person who lived it
food, menu, restaurant, service47
Tell your server immediately if your food is incorrect or of poor quality.
Write down customer orders instead of trying to memorize them.
It gives customers peace of mind and servers who do this earn better tips than those who don't.
one person who lived it
Address issues with your meal immediately while they occur, rather than waiting until payment.
Staff can resolve problems quicker at the time they happen.
- Some servers may hold it against you even if you are polite.
- Complaining after finishing the meal (e.g., licking plates clean) is viewed negatively.
one person who lived it
Request a table near the kitchen or sit at the bar to receive quicker service.
Servers and bartenders pass by these locations more frequently.
- Expect extra noise, clinking dishes, and foot traffic.
- Staff may perceive the request as strange.
one person who lived it
Ask your server for their favorite dish instead of requesting a surprise, so you know what you are getting and can tip generously if you enjoy it.
You will know what you're getting into.
one person who lived it
- Tell your server upfront that you need quick service instead of using gimmicks.1
42 more on this
Tip 25-30 percent to show gratitude to hospitality workers.
Pay has not kept up with inflation and minimum wage has not been raised in a long time.
one person who lived it
Do not complain when you see a cook tasting food in an open kitchen.
It is usually a sign of quality control, such as adding final touches like vinegar or salt to make the meal memorable.
- Ensure it is done in a sanitary way, such as using a separate spoon for one use.
one person who lived it
Be friendly and polite to waiters because they are people too and it is the right thing to do.
it's the right thing to do
one person who lived it
Be kind and patient with servers during delays.
It is often not their fault, and a kind word helps get past difficult customers.
one person who lived it
Do not eat food that has been sent back from a customer's table.
It is considered disgusting and is typically inspected and tossed by kitchen staff.
one person who lived it
Tell your server immediately if your food is incorrect or of poor quality.
Managers do not penalize servers for correcting orders, and you should not finish a dish you are not enjoying.
2 people, independently
Request that children's meals be served before adult entrees when dining with toddlers.
Getting kids fed first prevents them from getting antsy or bored while waiting, making them easier to manage.
one person who lived it
Tip at least 15% at upscale restaurants.
15% is the usual standard at upscale establishments.
one person who lived it
When on vacation, budget more than you expect to need and avoid worrying about costs during the trip.
To avoid second-guessing every expense, which undermines the point of going.
one person who lived it
If service was good, request the manager and compliment the server directly to them, rather than just leaving a tip.
This makes a greater difference to the server than a standard compliment on the food.
one person who lived it
Do not bring a clipboard or take notes in a restaurant to mimic a reviewer.
It annoys staff and signals you are trying too hard rather than earning better service.
one person who lived it
Ask the server to return later if your party is undecided, rather than making them wait while you discuss.
They seem to appreciate it.
one person who lived it
Wash your hands after handling a restaurant menu, as it is touched by many people and is often very dirty.
You do not know who touched the menu previously.
one person who lived it
Remain patient and calm when waiting for food.
Employees appreciate it and may provide extra items.
one person who lived it
Speak to the manager about severe service failures, such as having to retrieve your own food from the kitchen, to request compensation.
Having to serve yourself is absurd and warrants some form of compensation.
one person who lived it
Pretend nothing happened if a waiter drops a plate to spare them embarrassment.
Looking at them while they clean up makes them more aware of their embarrassment.
one person who lived it
Observe what other customers order when you cannot read the foreign-language menu.
It can reveal go-to dishes like Chinese pancakes that are not obvious from the text.
one person who lived it
Request food corrections politely without being rude.
Restaurant staff are doing their best, and minor issues like a dirty finger can be hard to detect.
one person who lived it
Be honest about both good and bad experiences in restaurant feedback; do not lie.
Lying is considered mean.
one person who lived it
Ask waitstaff which menu items they still enjoy eating themselves.
These are dishes good enough that the drudgery of frequent repetition hasn't killed their enjoyment.
one person who lived it
Add A1 sauce to Bloody Mary cocktails.
It enhances the flavor.
one person who lived it
Expect that many specialty items at The Cheesecake Factory are variations of the same core proteins, such as chicken, cooked differently.
This allows them to maintain freshness despite a huge menu due to high customer volume and shared ingredients.
one person who lived it
Withhold tips from servers who are condescending or rude about your food choices.
One person reported withholding tips because the server's attitude was condescending and motivated by a desire for a larger tip.
one person who lived it
Write public reviews or contact owners to complain about unreasonable hidden fees like excessive sharing charges.
Public reviews may get the owner's attention and serve as a warning to other customers.
one person who lived it
Check online photos and reviews for portion sizes before visiting a new restaurant.
This allows you to easily judge portion sizes ahead of time.
one person who lived it
Pre-game with a snack before attending a tasting-menu fine dining restaurant.
This allows you to experience the food without being distractingly hungry.
one person who lived it
When eating at a restaurant, order only dishes you would never bother preparing at home.
It makes the experience feel like a mini-vacation or change of scenery, making it more enjoyable.
one person who lived it
Avoid loud behavior, acting foolishly, or scraping plates at upscale restaurants to prevent being removed or receiving disdainful service.
Such behavior can lead to eye rolls of disdain or removal from the restaurant.
one person who lived it
Check for an online menu before visiting; avoid places without one unless you are in a large group, especially if you dislike tiny print or have visual impairments.
Tiny print and excessive white space can be infuriating.
one person who lived it
Order steaks cooked to your preference without worrying that well-done requests receive lower quality meat.
Reputable restaurants with integrity do not serve old or inferior meat for well-done orders; this is an urban legend.
one person who lived it
Let the server finish their greeting before ordering drinks, unless you briefly state you are not drinking alcohol.
Interrupting abruptly is rude.
one person who lived it
State that you dislike an ingredient as a preference rather than claiming an allergy if you are not allergic.
Claiming a false allergy wastes resources and forces unnecessary safety measures, such as disinfecting grill stations.
2 people, independently
Avoid ordering drinks served in hollowed-out pineapples or coconuts.
Restaurants often reuse the same fruit containers all night long.
one person who lived it
Do not hype up a restaurant when taking others there; under-promise so they are pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed.
If expectations are low, guests are more likely to end up pleasantly surprised.
one person who lived it
Only stack dirty dishes if you are confident in your ability to do so safely, to avoid accidents caused by hidden utensils in precarious stacks.
To prevent accidents from surprise forks hidden halfway down a stack.
one person who lived it
Research the restaurant's menu and pricing structure ahead of time to set appropriate expectations.
Going to expensive places and complaining about the cost is avoidable with prior research.
one person who lived it
Simplify menu decisions by focusing only on basic protein and spice levels rather than complex descriptions that cause panic.
complex descriptions make people start to panic
one person who lived it
Order efficiently, calmly, and clearly to reduce the server's emotional labor.
Service work is transactional.
one person who lived it
Give servers specific guidelines, such as comparing two dishes, to help them make recommendations since tastes vary wildly.
People's tastes can vary wildly.
one person who lived it
Ask the chef directly about dish quality at counter-service spots like sushi bars, but be prepared for blunt honesty.
one person who lived it
Avoid entering restaurants where the owner stands in the doorway looking frustrated or attempting to approach customers.
this behavior discourages customers from entering
one person who lived it
Politely ask for attention rather than waiting silently.
Clear communication yields prompt results.
one person who lived it
free, dining9
Lead with specific taste preferences (e.g., savory, light) and dislikes when asking for recommendations.
Vague requests about 'the best thing' may lead servers to steer you toward items that increase their sales rather than suit your taste.
one person who lived it
Introduce yourself to restaurant staff by name to build rapport and become a regular, though be aware this can sometimes lead to unwanted personal intrusion or expectations of special treatment.
Staff may offer perks like free drinks to keep regulars happy.
- Some regulars become annoying by digging into staff's lives or expecting special treatment.
one person who lived it
Become a regular customer at independent restaurants by tipping generously and knowing when to leave.
Regulars may receive better service, perks, or free items like drinks.
- You must be a 'good' regular who does not assume they get free stuff.
one person who lived it
Compliment the entire kitchen team rather than just the chef, acknowledging it is a team effort.
Cooking is a team effort.
one person who lived it
5 more on this
Eliminate boredom, tiredness, hunger, and the need for changing before dining out with children.
Children will cry if any of these needs are unmet; eliminating them helps ensure they behave.
one person who lived it
Write a positive online review for a good restaurant experience to benefit all staff members.
It raises morale and benefits everyone working there.
one person who lived it
Order appetizers during happy hour or half-price app nights to improve value.
Appetizer prices have increased, making discounted times more economical.
one person who lived it
Compliment the chef after enjoying a meal, as they appreciate positive affirmation and may occasionally send free dessert.
Chefs appreciate positive affirmation.
- One person reported never getting free food despite always complimenting.
one person who lived it
Choose Subway as a compromise dining spot for groups with mixed dietary preferences.
It offers acceptable options for both carnivores and others, ensuring nobody is unhappy even if nobody is ecstatic.
one person who lived it