Would You Send a Plate Back to the Kitchen?

Food

Would You Send a Plate Back to the Kitchen?

July 18, 2008

This past weekend, I tried out a new restaurant. Unfortunately, the food was disappointing. Everything was either too salty, burned, or had a weird texture.

I considered sending the food back to the kitchen, but ultimately I dealt with it.

What about you? When you order unsatisfactory food, do you send it back to the kitchen?

49 Comments

nevadamtnbear 4 years

I typically only send things back if I find something unsanitary (like the band-aid I found in my deep fried pickles) or if what I ordered is absolutely prepared wrong (i.e., I always order my steaks bleu - rare as they can make it, and if it comes out still mooing, I'm okay with it), so if it's over cooked, badly like well done, then I'll politely ask for it to be prepared as ordered. Same goes for chicken that is undercooked, etc. Those types of things.If its relatively minor, cooked medium or medium rare vs. bleu, then I'll cope. I'm not THAT picky (unless we're at a very high end restaurant, that's a different story). Comes with cheese and I ordered no cheese, I just pick off what I can and let it go. I've seen people be so $hitty in restaurants and how they send food back. I think for the most part the reason combined with the attitude of the patron when sending food back directly correlates to how the food is treated when out of your presence. If you're an a$$, then quite honestly, you get what you deserve.

nevadamtnbear 4 years

I typically only send things back if I find something unsanitary (like the band-aid I found in my deep fried pickles) or if what I ordered is absolutely prepared wrong (i.e., I always order my steaks bleu - rare as they can make it, and if it comes out still mooing, I'm okay with it), so if it's over cooked, badly like well done, then I'll politely ask for it to be prepared as ordered. Same goes for chicken that is undercooked, etc. Those types of things. If its relatively minor, cooked medium or medium rare vs. bleu, then I'll cope. I'm not THAT picky (unless we're at a very high end restaurant, that's a different story). Comes with cheese and I ordered no cheese, I just pick off what I can and let it go. I've seen people be so $hitty in restaurants and how they send food back. I think for the most part the reason combined with the attitude of the patron when sending food back directly correlates to how the food is treated when out of your presence. If you're an a$$, then quite honestly, you get what you deserve.

Rancher'sGirl 4 years

If it is a dish I haven't tried before and I find I don't like it, I just accept it, and deal with it. If I place a specail order without something and it comes with it or the dish is improperly cooked, I will politely and pleasantly send it back. Also, due to surgery, there are certain foods I cannot tolerate and will be absolutely miserable if I eat them. I really try to be reasonable and very nice about it when ordering or sending back, but in the long run, my health and physical well-being are more important to me.

rbyn72 4 years

I would usually avoid sending a dish back on all accounts but i am a vegetarian and if there is meat on it i have to send it back. It happens far more than you would even believe.

roxyb 4 years

I agree with millarci - Waiting...terrifying rest. patrons since it's release.

cutiekat88 4 years

i sent my food cuz it was cold,or if its undercook,not what i ordered.

limelindsey 4 years

I once sent a steak back...I ordered it medium and it was as tough as shoe leather! Sadly, the new steak wasn't much better, and I was miserable because everyone else was eating and I was starving! Never ordered steak there again, though everything else I've ever had there was amazing! I wouldn't send something back just because I didn't like the taste, sometimes it happens and it's not the kitchen's fault.

haute77 4 years

I have never sent anything back. If it's undercooked that's one thing. But if you simply don't like it, it's not a reason to send it back. so wasteful.

LaurenG22 4 years

I refuse to go to "chain" restaurants. I think they are overpriced and BAD BAD BAD. That said, if I am paying 30 bucks for a meal and it sucks, I WILL send it back. Even if it is cooked perfectly, if I don't like the flavor, I can guarentee that it is better that I love it rather then hate it and give them bad worth of mouth.. (this is coming from a former restaurant manager and a former waitree)

faerymagick15 4 years

I have done it and will continue to if food isn't cooked properly or comes out cold. I order my son's burgers well done and if it comes out medium I send it back. I have had a few instances where it came out very pink. And, there have been times when we have waited 30-45 minutes for our meals and they have come out cold. I definitely sent it back. If we were running short on time I asked for it to go. With prices these days I expect my food to be cooked properly.

bellydancinmary 4 years

I only send food back when it is cold or if I find something unsanitary in it. I went to Wendy's by my house before, and ordered french fries. When I was getting my first fry, I found a pubic hair in my food! I went back and asked to see the manager and the cook. I told them the situation, I was mad, but I wasn't swearing or yelling at them. When the cook started laughing at me (because he's the one who did it), honestly, I completely lost it. Maybe it wasn't a good thing to do, but I punched him. I hope he learned his lesson, I will never go back there.

annebreal 4 years

I'm a little perplexed there was a "only if it's unsanitary" and "no, never" option...so people do eat food where they found something unsanitary?? I'd never do that. I think it depends on the restaurant...at Texas Roadhouse I ordered a steak medium and it came to me extremely well done and really tough, but it's a 13 dollar steak and the place was packed so I just ate it. But when I'm at a more upscale place and my steak costs 30+ bucks, they had better get it right! My motto is you get what you paid for.I've only ever sent back things with hairs in them or were totally the wrong order, though, because I'm not picky and have had good luck, but if I'm paying out the nose at a place that is supposed to be upscale, they'd better do a good job...and they have for me (the few times I can afford it!).

annebreal 4 years

I'm a little perplexed there was a "only if it's unsanitary" and "no, never" option...so people do eat food where they found something unsanitary?? I'd never do that. I think it depends on the restaurant...at Texas Roadhouse I ordered a steak medium and it came to me extremely well done and really tough, but it's a 13 dollar steak and the place was packed so I just ate it. But when I'm at a more upscale place and my steak costs 30+ bucks, they had better get it right! My motto is you get what you paid for. I've only ever sent back things with hairs in them or were totally the wrong order, though, because I'm not picky and have had good luck, but if I'm paying out the nose at a place that is supposed to be upscale, they'd better do a good job...and they have for me (the few times I can afford it!).

Jude C 4 years

Only if it's really heinous or has something gross in it, and I always try to be extra nice to the server, making it clear that I'm not blaming her or trying to cause trouble. Having worked in restaurants, I know it's not good to be an ass to your server when you have to send food back to the kitchen.

mswender 4 years

Paint chips? really? I have not sent back food in the past for not having it cooked properly and really regretted it. Recently I had to send a steak back because I think it mooed a few times. I like it on the rare side, but this was purple! I didn't care much for the sauce on the steak either, but I wouldn't send it back for taste. i also sent back sushi today because I am allergic to seafood and can't have it on the same plate as the fish. I love vegetarian sushi! They were really nice and was sitting at the bar so I know I got fresh Enari.

shoneyjoe 4 years

I've sent food back for being unsanitary (hair, paint chips, etc.) but never for something that's just "not to my liking". There's a steak house my family used to go to where they ask us to cut into the steak to make sure it's how we want it done before they leave the table. They have voluntarily taken my steak back when they know it's too done, but that's just good service and not me being a jackass.

Marci 4 years

I've only sent a dish back when it has something in it I specifically asked not be included, like cheese or nuts or something because I'm highly allergic. Otherwise, I usually just eat it.

jessie 4 years

i don't bother unless its mooing at me or has bugs or something, if its that bad, i just hit a drive-thru on the way home. :)

bunny22 4 years

I've sent a dish back just once: because the waiter mixed uo the order. We had ordered Szechuan chicken but we were given beef. We told the waiter to change it and he did so graciously.

Clarby 4 years

It really depends on how bad and where I am eating. If it is a restaurant I believe truly cares about the quality of food and service and I just can't eat it I will. I try and never make a big deal of it as in the grand scheme of things messing up my order isn't that big. People make mistakes.

Brandi13jrm 4 years

Wait, I think the first sentence in my last comment doesn't quite make sense... what I meant to say is when you eat at lower end places you can't expect too much... especially a chain restaurant.

Brandi13jrm 4 years

For me it depends WHERE I'm eating... some places I don't think you can have too high of standards... like eating at Chili's or something. BUT if I'm at a good resturant where the expectations are high then yes, if they make a mistake... whether it be temperature, how it's cooked or even the taste I send it back. I know I sound like a snob, but I'm paying for the food right?

mominator 4 years

I would not send it back just because of the taste but if I had ordered a steak rare and it came out well done then yes. I am always scared when I send it back because I am scared they are going to spit in it or something so I try to usually just deal with it.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years

I will send it back, and usually it comes back fine (not every place is like the movie Waiting, and yes i have worked in restaurants both upscale and down) If someone who is with me has a problem with thier meal and is agonizing about sending it back "should I? should i not?" i tell them, do it now not later, and if you keep it i dont want to hear another word about it.

uptown_girl 4 years

I once had a pork chop that was cold in the center. Yeah.... I sent that back!

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49 Comments