The 10 Commonly Regretted Restaurant Orders And What To Get Instead

We’ve all been there – staring at our plate with that sinking feeling of ordering the wrong thing. Maybe it’s the sad salad while your friend’s burger looks amazing, or that overhyped special that didn’t live up to expectations.

I’ve made plenty of restaurant ordering mistakes over the years, and I’m here to save you from the same fate. Here’s my guide to commonly regretted restaurant orders and what you should choose instead.

1. Boring House Salad vs. Roasted Vegetable Plate

That plain house salad with a few sad tomatoes and cucumbers never satisfies. I’ve watched friends pick at these lifeless greens while secretly eyeing my meal.

Instead, order a roasted vegetable plate. Restaurants transform ordinary vegetables into caramelized, flavor-packed delights with proper seasoning and high-heat cooking.

You’ll get the health benefits plus actual enjoyment and satisfaction.

2. Overstuffed Fancy Burger vs. Classic Cheeseburger

Those towering burgers with fifteen toppings look impressive on Instagram but turn into a structural disaster when you try to eat them. The flavors compete instead of complementing.

A well-executed classic cheeseburger delivers the perfect ratio of meat, cheese, and bun. The simplicity allows quality ingredients to shine through.

Plus, you can actually fit it in your mouth without wearing half of it.

3. Seafood at Non-Seafood Restaurants vs. House Specialties

I once ordered salmon at a steakhouse in Kansas. Big mistake. The fish was clearly frozen, overcooked, and had that slightly fishy smell that fresh seafood never has.

Restaurants excel at their specialties for a reason. They have the ingredients, expertise, and turnover to make those dishes sing.

When dining somewhere new, ask what they’re known for and trust their strengths.

4. Restaurant Pasta vs. Unique Menu Items

Basic pasta dishes often disappoint with their hefty price tags for something you could make at home for a fraction of the cost. The portion sizes vary wildly too.

Look for menu items you can’t easily recreate. Dishes with complex sauces, unique ingredient combinations, or specialized cooking techniques justify the restaurant experience.

Your taste buds and wallet will thank you for choosing something truly special.

5. Well-Done Steak vs. Chef’s Recommended Temperature

Ordering a well-done steak is like asking a pianist to play with mittens on. You’re missing the point entirely. Growing up, my dad insisted on well-done everything, and I never understood why steak was special until I tried it medium-rare.

Trust the chef’s recommendation for meat temperature. Most chefs suggest medium-rare for beef to preserve flavor, juiciness, and texture. The difference is remarkable, and you’ll never go back.

6. Trendy Appetizer Sampler vs. Signature Starter

Those massive appetizer samplers promise variety but deliver mediocrity across the board. Everything’s been sitting under a heat lamp, and nothing stands out.

A restaurant’s signature appetizer receives special attention from the kitchen. The ingredients are fresher, the preparation more careful.

Ask your server which starter the chef takes pride in, and you’ll start your meal with something truly memorable.

7. Chicken Tenders from the Adult Menu vs. Adventurous Protein

Adult chicken tenders rarely impress. They’re often overpriced versions of the kids’ menu item with a fancy dipping sauce to justify the markup.

I used to order these as my safe option until a friend convinced me to try duck breast. Now I make it a point to order proteins I don’t cook at home.

Game meats, expertly prepared fish, or even vegetarian protein alternatives offer experiences worth your dining dollars.

8. Fancy Mac and Cheese vs. Regional Specialties

Truffle oil and breadcrumb-topped mac and cheese sounds fancy but often disappoints with its one-note richness and lack of depth. The novelty wears off after three bites.

Regional specialties showcase local ingredients and cooking traditions you can’t find everywhere. Whether it’s shrimp and grits in Charleston or green chile stew in New Mexico, these dishes connect you to the place you’re visiting through your taste buds.

9. Chain Restaurant Ribs vs. Local BBQ Joint

Those shiny, sauce-lacquered ribs from chain restaurants rely on sugar-heavy sauces to mask meat that’s often boiled then finished on the grill. My uncle, a BBQ enthusiast, nearly disowned me when I once praised a chain’s ribs.

Seek out local BBQ specialists where smoke time is measured in hours, not minutes. The meat should nearly fall off the bone but still have texture. The smoke ring and bark tell the story of proper cooking.

10. Deconstructed Desserts vs. Classic Sweet Endings

Those artistic smears of sauce with scattered cake crumbles might look impressive on social media, but they’re often style over substance. You end up chasing components around the plate, trying to recreate what should have been one cohesive bite.

Traditional desserts have stood the test of time for good reason. A properly executed tiramisu, crème brûlée, or warm chocolate cake delivers consistent satisfaction without the pretense. Your sweet tooth deserves completion, not an art project.