Keith and I have this “thing” we do when we go out to eat. We’ll look at the menu, but until we hear the specials from our server, we don’t make a decision about what we’ll be ordering.
Here’s why: we can always order off the menu, right? But a special’s a special, and it’s pretty much now or never if you want to try that dish. Is that weird? We don’t think so, but we do wonder if that’s just the mentality the restaurants are hoping for.
Why? Maybe they got a good deal on the main ingreident in their special dish and have too much of it and need to get rid of it fast. Along those lines, what if the special is concocted from all the food in the kitchen about to go bad? Do the restauranteurs count on people like Keith and me?
We kind of don’t care, because we’re eating it while it’s still fresh and it’s more fun to order the special and save the menu items for another visit. Where do you weigh in on the “specials” issue? This is your chance to talk back, so let’s work up a fun discussion about this.
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Feb 19, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
If the special sounds particularly good, or very seasonal, maybe… but usually, I end up sticking to the menu. Honestly, I think part of it is that the server often won’t tell you how the specials are priced (and I don’t want to ask), and I feel more comfortable ordering when I know the cost of my dish. That, and I’m totally indecisive, and like to see all of my options on paper, so I can waffle until the very last second.
I tend to do the opposite and usually have favorites on each menu, which I usually order every time.
I rarely get the special on a menu. Most of the time these specials are actually more expensive than something else on the menu.
Over here the restaurant system is a little different. People (my family included) almost always choose one of the specials because it’s cheaper, you pay a fixed price and you usually get an entree with a small salad and one or two side dishes, a drink, which includes wine or beer, coffee (espresso!) and dessert. Plus it’s what they’re making a lot of, it is guaranteed to come out quicker than anything off the regular menu. There is nothing I hate more than waiting and waiting for your food when everyone else already has theirs!
I hardly ever order the special. I usually have favorites that I stick to. I know– how boring!
Having worked in the restaurant industry for several years (albeit many years ago), I can tell you that sometimes the special is just that – a special dish taking advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients. But other times, it’s just a way for the chef to get rid of something he overstocked or is nearing its “expiration” date.