Do You Ask Servers For Menu Recommendations?

June 13, 2008

Often, when I'm trying to decide between two dishes, I'll ask servers what they recommend. Sometimes they won't have an opinion, but often, servers are very knowledgeable about what the best items on the menu are. I rarely regret taking their advice. How about you?

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34 Comments

SugarFreak 4 years 48 weeks

Always if I can't decide.

verily 4 years 48 weeks

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.

tepiza 4 years 48 weeks

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."

ohbaby7 4 years 48 weeks

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

jennjennnbubba 4 years 48 weeks

no never

AmberHoney 4 years 48 weeks

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.

tlsgirl 4 years 48 weeks

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.

marinewifey 4 years 48 weeks

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

bloggedarteries 4 years 48 weeks

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

summerxrain 4 years 48 weeks

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.

Just Oh 4 years 48 weeks

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.

Frank y Ava 4 years 48 weeks

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

soulight 4 years 48 weeks

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.

ayuninur 4 years 48 weeks

not really..

neonbee 4 years 48 weeks

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

fashion4ward 4 years 48 weeks

Not much, I usually know what I want.

Marci 4 years 48 weeks

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

jessielynn657 4 years 48 weeks

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.

fuzzles 4 years 48 weeks

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! :)

hippiecowgirl 4 years 48 weeks

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

JaimeLeah526 4 years 48 weeks

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

shoneyjoe 4 years 48 weeks

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.

seespotrun 4 years 48 weeks

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

fireyelectra 4 years 48 weeks

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.

hanmeng 4 years 48 weeks

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

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