Are you supposed to ask waiters if the food on the menu is good?

Question

(or is that just my insane family?)

Answer 1

so funny that this question is here because - I recently went to an italian restaurant and asked the waitress if the food was good and she said NO.. she recommended a few things (very simple items) and we decided to stay and order what she suggested and it was gross.. so YES you should

Answer 2

OK I waitress and I get asked this all the time. I however don't eat seafood, so I am honest and I tell them this and this are our most popular seafood dishes but my favorite is something else and I will tell them what my favorite thing is. I always ask people when I go out and can't decide, which is very often what they like. Think about it, that person possibly works 30-40 hours a week at that restaurant, how many meals do they probably eat there, they know what food is good, and if you ask and they don't really like an item, they would suggest something else similar that may be better.

Answer 3

1. Sure! Why not!
2. Most often, they have tried it, too.
3. Wouldn't it be nice to get a nice gratuity based on the
waiter's service rather than the pricey menu? A honest
opinion on the food would favor the waiter's service more.

Answer 4

i waited tables all throughout college and people always ask what on the menu is good, that is not at all insane about your family! also, people who say that servers are going to lie and say the food is good are too cynical! most servers will totally give you their honest opinion. if i hadn't tried what the person was asking about, i would always say if it was or wasn't a popular dish, if it wasn't a popular dish i would point out what our restaurant was famous for, because a lot of people were interested in trying the restaurant's "claim to fame!" So there really is no "supposed to" in asking or not asking, do whatever you want to do, I'm willing to bet your server has seen more insane things than you can think up:) (I know I've seen some crazy things.)

Answer 5

My sister, mom, and I always ask the waiters their opinions about the food. None of them seem to mind at all!

Answer 6

Think about it, what waiter/waitress working at a restaurant will tell you that the food is actually bad? That question should never be asked, cause you'll never get a truthful answer. A better question would be "What do you suggest from the menu?". I think that will give you an idea on what to get or avoid.

Answer 7

Usually, the waiter or waitress will tell you yes, of course its good. the best thing to ask, is for a recomendation.

Answer 8

if anyone is going to know if the food is good is the server, and they'll likely be able to tell you what they like best and can recommend something. we always ask, especially if we've never been to their establishment before. once, the server even said "yeah, it's good" w/ this look on his face like, "ehhhhh, no!" that was our cue. there's nothing wrong w/ asking whether you should spend your money there or move on to some place better.

Answer 9

Instead of asking a general question such as "Is the food good?' Ask, "What do you recommend?" Waiters often end up eating lunch and dinner at the restaurant they serve in and develop particular likes and dislikes. Good waiters will give honest recommendations -- it actually increases the chance of a good tip.

Answer 10

Has a waiter ever told you it wasn't any good? A waiter may suggest something or try to steer (no pun intended) you to an expensive dish... But no waiter should EVER tell you the food isn't good.

And if some moron waiter did tell you the food wasn't good, would you leave?

Answer 11

probably not because the waiter should be trained to say everything is good because that's teh place they work....usually if the waiter doesn't like their job they'll say teh food stinks