I may ask but I don't always heed their advice.

If I can't decide between two items, I'll totally go for their recommendation. If I do ask, but don't heed their advice, it's because I wasn't really undecided in the first place!

I usually ask when I can't decide between dishes or if its a new place and everything sounds good

It's rare that I'll just say "So, what's good here?" but if I can't decide between two or three dishes, then I'll ask.

As some who works in the foodservice industry, though it may not be a restaurant but just a Schlotzsky's Deli, I am always brutally honest about the food. If I think something is disgusting, I'll tell the customers, and I've found that many other workers in restaurants will also share their honest opinion.

i don't but my boyfriend does. he has done it a few times recently actually. for myself - i'm a vegetarian, so i pretty much know what i'm going to get anywhere that i go. for him though, sometimes it seems like he does like to ask and get a perspective from a server.

The guy I'm currently seeing does it pretty every time he eats out. Before I met him, I'd do it once in a while.

I find it the best way to go. Most of the time they're really honest and excited to tell you their favorites. And I've never been disappointed!

P.S. Kudos to you, cookingsomebacon!! I went to this trendy restaurant for brunch and our waiter was like "um, no, don't get that... please....don't!" it made me laugh and I greatly appreciated his honesty (good tip for him!)

I only ask for recommendations when I'm at a new restaurant and I'm trying to sample their unique cuisine or when I'm traveling and want to try something that originated in the region. The rest of the time, I stick to some form of chicken.

Yeah, but I'm a little put off when they recommend the priciest items on the menu.

I don't because the servers are told to push certain items from the kitchen and that can only mean one of two things: service is going really badly and the thing they recommend is the only good thing coming from that kitchen, or it means that the chef needs to push an unpopular item so it won't go bad.

I usually do. If it sounds good or I'm stuck between several dishes, I'll heed their advice.

Often times they'll tell me if something's either heavy or light, and I'll be able to make a decision based on their info.

Only if I'm asking which is better but never if I have no idea what to get.

I usually ask when I'm somewhere new and can't make up my mind.

Usually only when it's a new cuisine that I am trying. Many years back I went to my first Thai restaurant. Being unfamiliar with the menu, I told the server what I was interested in...beef, garlic, and lots of heat. She took very good care of me!

It definitely depends what restaurant I am in. If I am comfortable with what the restaurant offers then I will ask the server to suggest something that maybe I would never have thought of. It's helpful to have your mind and pallet opened a little bit. Sometimes you can get stuck in a big boring food rut.

I don't, but my fiance always asks them what their favorite meal is.

Not much, I usually know what I want.

Not really. Everyone has different tastes so I just try to experiment on my own.

not really..

I like asking for advice mostly because they could give you some interesting insight on certain dishes (too much salt, too oily etc). BUt I never just ask "so what do you think I should have?" Because I've found they may direct you to the most expensive, not the most delicious.

I only go out once in a blue moon but i sometimes already know what i want!

I welcome server recommendations, particularly now with the small plates trend. Ordering five to seven plates for a party of four can get complicated.

As others have already written, seeking a recommendation is useful when traveling or for your first visit to a restaurant. I want to try anything that the is particularly proud of.

As some others have said, I would only really do this at a restaurant that has some ethnic cuisine which I'm not familiar with.

I only ask which of their specialty cocktails are the strongest.

I only do it somewhat.... my husband does it every time!

I figure they're the ones who know best what's good. I know that was true of me when I was a waitress. My boyfriend actually just says "surprise me" sometimes, and he always ends up with something amazing.

A resounding NO - I'm a big fish/seafood eater and most servers don't eat fish; so they tell me. I'd say the last 10 times I've asked they usually say they are vegan or I don't eat here I just work here. It's sorta troubling to me.

no never

ive found that they usually love to give suggestions, and i always leave a bigger tip because they end up being much friendlier

I usually don't ask for advice because 1) i'm afraid that they will recommend some of the pricier dishes or "specials" and 2) I haven't had much luck with asking as they often say "oh, everything is good."

It depends on the restaurant. If it's an upscale restaurant, the waiters will usually give honest opinions about dishes. At one restaurant where dishes were in the $20–30 range, it never felt like the waiter was pushing me to choose the most expensive dish.

They do make a good cut of their money on alcohol alone, so I'm usually unsurprised when they push the drink menu or wine list.

Always if I can't decide.