Yep, we’re definitely all guilty of sitting down at a restaurant with our friends and taking hours to decide what to order. Or accidentally blocking the entrance to the kitchen when we’re waiting for the bathroom. Or being way too picky. We chatted with a waiter at our local white tablecloth joint to find out the most annoying requests she receives. Aka what not to do the next time you go out for dinner.
The Most Annoying Restaurant Requests, According to a Waiter
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Published Mar 14, 2018
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“can I Have The Cobb Salad Without The Lettuce?”
Modifying an order so heavily that it’s basically an entirely different dish = so not cool. Yes, the kitchen will make it for you, but don’t get upset by your pile of avocado and blue cheese that’s way smaller and less filling than the original dish.
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“i Know You’re Closing Soon But Do We Have Time To Have Dinner?”
Of course we’re not going to turn you away, but please don’t hang out for hours after the restaurant has closed.
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“i’m Friends With The Owner”
This is a statement-request we get time and time again—and no, it will not get you a table or freebies. When the owner’s friends come in, trust us, he gives us a heads-up (and is usually there to say hi).
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“can I Have The Wagyu Tacos From The ‘secret Menu’?”
Maybe it’s the popularity of speakeasies—or, goodness knows, Starbucks’s secret menu—but that does not mean we have one. In fact, most restaurants don’t, and asking for items on it honestly will just embarrass you in front of your friends.
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“my Kid Only Eats X Food. Can You You Ask Your Guys To Whip Up Something He’ll Eat?”
Ask for the kid’s menu, or don’t take your extremely picky child out for dinner to a white tablecloth restaurant that doesn’t offer one. (Or make your big guy eat some spinach; it’ll probably be good for him.)
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“i Just Accidentally Flung Half Of My Burger On The Ground While I Was Trying To Cut It In Half…”
Alright, so when you were a kid and you dropped your ice-cream cone on the ground, the store would give you a new one. And when it comes down to it, we’ll give you a new burger, too. But it’s pretty darn annoying.
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“why Do We Have To Wait? There's A Whole Room Full Of Empty Tables Right There”
It’s a fair question to wonder, but there are many explanations: They’re reserved for a party in half an hour or we’re down a few waiters for the night and don’t have the capacity to handle that many tables at once. No, it’s nothing against you.
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“i’d Like My Steak Bloody, Haha”
Trying to be “cute” with your orders is all well and good, but honestly it’s the most helpful when you’re polite and direct to avoid confusion.
