8 Things You Should Never Order at Restaurants (Unless You Love Food Regret)

Let’s be honest, when we go to a restaurant, we’re not just eating. We’re investing in an experience. We want the best-tasting dish, the one we’ll remember for days. Because of food regret? That’s real. And it lingers.

I truly believe something important: we only get a limited number of meals in our lifetime. Why waste even one on something disappointing?

So if you’re heading out to eat tonight (or planning your next trip), here are 8 things you should think twice about ordering at restaurants.

1. Bread Baskets (If They’re Not Free)

If a restaurant charges you for a bread basket, pause.

Even if they describe it as “artisan-crafted, freshly baked, hand-kneaded, organic mountain wheat bread,” chances are, you’re paying way more than it’s worth.

Here’s the reality:

• It may not even be baked in-house.
• It might not be freshly made that day.
• The markup is usually huge.

The only exception? If the restaurant is genuinely famous for its in-house bread, then that’s part of their identity.

Otherwise, save your appetite and your money.

2. Veggie Burgers (That Aren’t Made In-House)

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, this one’s important.

A lot of restaurants don’t actually make their veggie patties from scratch. They often use frozen, pre-packaged patties you could buy at a grocery store.

And the worst part?

You’ll probably pay premium burger prices for what tastes like expensive cardboard.

If the restaurant doesn’t specialize in plant-based food or clearly states it’s house-made, you might want to reconsider.

3. “Kobe” or “Wagyu” Beef Burgers

This one sounds fancy, but it’s often misleading.

Real Kobe beef is extremely rare. Only a small number of cows qualify each year, and only a fraction is exported outside Japan.

So when a random restaurant claims to serve a “Kobe burger,” here’s what’s likely happening:

• It’s American Wagyu (which is very different).
• It’s blended beef with minimal Wagyu content.
• Or it’s just clever marketing.

And honestly? Grinding premium steak into a burger defeats the purpose. You lose the marbling magic that makes it special.

If you want Wagyu, order it as a steak, not in patty form.

4. The “House Special.”

This one might surprise you.

When you ask the server for recommendations, and they suggest the “special of the day”, it sounds exciting. Exclusive. Limited.

But sometimes, the special isn’t special because it’s amazing.

It’s special because:

• There’s too much of one ingredient.
• Something is close to expiring.
• The kitchen needs to move inventory.

Often, extra sauce is added to mask flavors, and meats may look oddly chopped or inconsistent.

Not always, but enough times to be cautious.

5. Oysters (From Non-Seafood Restaurants)

Oysters are extremely delicate.

They’re raw. They spoil quickly. And when they go bad? It’s not just unpleasant; it can make you seriously sick.

Ordering oysters from a reputable seafood restaurant that sources fresh daily? Perfectly fine.

Ordering raw oysters from a pancake house? That’s playing roulette with your stomach.

When it comes to seafood, always ask:

Is this what they’re known for?

6. Chicken Breast at Regular Restaurants

Unless the restaurant specializes in chicken, this is usually the most uninspired choice on the menu.

Why?

• It’s one of the cheapest proteins.
• It’s often frozen.
• It rarely showcases a chef’s creativity.

And yet, you’ll often pay the same price as you would for a better cut of meat.

If you’re avoiding red meat, that’s understandable. But if you’re just defaulting to chicken because it feels “safe,” you might be missing out.

7. Meatloaf

This one hurts.

Meatloaf sounds comforting. Nostalgic. Home-style.

But at many restaurants, it’s essentially:

• Leftover meat.
• Extra fillers like oats or breadcrumbs.
• Covered in sauce to hide inconsistencies.

When you see words like “Mama’s Style” or “House-Made,” remember: those are marketing terms, not guarantees.

If you want incredible meatloaf, go somewhere known for it.

8. Pizza at Non-Pizza Restaurants

Just because it’s on the menu doesn’t mean it should be ordered.

Many restaurants add pizza because:

• Ingredients are cheap.
• It’s easy to produce.
• It appeals to everyone.

But if you’re at a high-end steakhouse paying premium prices, do you really want to spend $25–$30 on average pizza?

If a restaurant doesn’t specialize in pizza, it’s often just there to fill space on the menu.

The Smart Way to Avoid Food Regret

Before going to any restaurant:

• Check reviews on Google or Yelp.
• Look at photos of actual dishes.
• See what the restaurant is known for.
• Don’t rely only on the waiter’s recommendation.

Restaurants usually have signature strengths. Order what they do best.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Waste a Single Meal

Think about this.

If you’re traveling for a week, that’s about 21 meals total. That’s it. You can’t afford a bad one.

Even at home, we only get a limited number of meals in our lifetime. So why settle for something average?

Order wisely.

Eat intentionally.

And never let food regret haunt you again.

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