Awkward questions to ask in a restaurant

Anthony Butcher · 6th September 2007, 03:56 PM

Awkward questions to ask in a restaurant:
Here is a selection of awkward questions to ask staff the next time you eat out.

Are these eggs free range?
Do you source these ingredients locally where possible?
Is this soup made with a meat stock?
Is this dried pasta, or is it freshly made using eggs?
Is this gravy vegetarian?
Is this cheese vegetarian?
Is this alcohol vegetarian?

The first time

It can be quite daunting to demands answers like this, especially for the British who tend to shy away from causing a fuss in a restaurant. However, it is very satisfying once you get into the habit of it, and generally your dining companions will be supportive.

The first time that I decided to ask about where the eggs came from for my meal I found it extremely embarrassing. I was with a group of friends ordering breakfast in a cheap and nasty hotel. I finally plucked up the courage to ask “excuse me, do you use free range eggs?” much to the amusement of my fellow diners. Unfortunately the waitress was Polish and had a limited grasp of English, so I was forced to repeat the question louder and slower, ensuring that anyone else in the restaurant who hadn’t heard it the first time had a second chance.

With a confused look on her face, she said that she would ask the “chef”, and disappeared into the kitchens. Some minutes later she emerged with a big grin on her face declaring “The chickens, they are happy!”.

“I’ll have beans on toast please”.

Be aware of bluster

One thing to watch out for is the propensity for staff to bluster and make the noises they think you want to hear without any real idea about the food at all. I was in a greasy spoon once and asked if they used free-range eggs. The two staff examined the crates that they arrived in and tried to reassure me that they came from a local farm so must be free range. Again, I opted for beans on toast to make the point that they should know.

This kind of fudge answer is very common, and it puts pressure on you to accept their platitudes to avoid looking rude. Stick to your guns though, and order something else if they can’t categorically answer your question. This is their failing, not yours.

Alex McKee · 7th September 2007, 01:50 PM

LOL, yes that was hilarious, I remember David & Brendan going on about that the next time.

It's a good point though. There's lots of people who would like to know these sort of things and they ought to be prepared for it.

6th September 2007, 03:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Ashton, North Somerset Posts: 170	Awkward questions to ask in a restaurant Awkward questions to ask in a restaurant: Here is a selection of awkward questions to ask staff the next time you eat out. Are these eggs free range? Do you source these ingredients locally where possible? Is this soup made with a meat stock? Is this dried pasta, or is it freshly made using eggs? Is this gravy vegetarian? Is this cheese vegetarian? Is this alcohol vegetarian? The first time It can be quite daunting to demands answers like this, especially for the British who tend to shy away from causing a fuss in a restaurant. However, it is very satisfying once you get into the habit of it, and generally your dining companions will be supportive. The first time that I decided to ask about where the eggs came from for my meal I found it extremely embarrassing. I was with a group of friends ordering breakfast in a cheap and nasty hotel. I finally plucked up the courage to ask “excuse me, do you use free range eggs?” much to the amusement of my fellow diners. Unfortunately the waitress was Polish and had a limited grasp of English, so I was forced to repeat the question louder and slower, ensuring that anyone else in the restaurant who hadn’t heard it the first time had a second chance. With a confused look on her face, she said that she would ask the “chef”, and disappeared into the kitchens. Some minutes later she emerged with a big grin on her face declaring “The chickens, they are happy!”. “I’ll have beans on toast please”. Be aware of bluster One thing to watch out for is the propensity for staff to bluster and make the noises they think you want to hear without any real idea about the food at all. I was in a greasy spoon once and asked if they used free-range eggs. The two staff examined the crates that they arrived in and tried to reassure me that they came from a local farm so must be free range. Again, I opted for beans on toast to make the point that they should know. This kind of fudge answer is very common, and it puts pressure on you to accept their platitudes to avoid looking rude. Stick to your guns though, and order something else if they can’t categorically answer your question. This is their failing, not yours.

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7th September 2007, 01:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alex McKee Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 54	LOL, yes that was hilarious, I remember David & Brendan going on about that the next time. It's a good point though. There's lots of people who would like to know these sort of things and they ought to be prepared for it.