31 Dishes You Should NEVER Order In A Restaurant

Think twice before ordering — here are 31 restaurant dishes chefs and experts say you should always avoid.

Not everything on a restaurant menu is as fresh, safe, or worth the price as it seems. This list reveals 31 popular dishes you should think twice about ordering when dining out. From overpriced brunch favorites and unsanitary buffet items to risky seafood and reheated specials, we uncover the secrets behind what chefs, waiters, and food safety experts say you should avoid. Discover which foods are often made from leftovers, pre-frozen, or loaded with hidden calories — and learn smarter alternatives to enjoy instead. Dining smart starts with knowing what not to order.

1. Daily Specials (if they’re too frequent)

If a restaurant has “specials” every day, it could mean they’re using leftovers or ingredients about to expire. Always ask what makes the dish “special.”

2. Fish on Mondays

Chefs warn that many restaurants receive fish deliveries midweek. By Monday, it’s often past its prime — not fresh and potentially risky.

3. Buffet Items

Buffet trays sit under heat lamps for hours, allowing bacteria to thrive. Food temperature inconsistencies make it a breeding ground for foodborne illness.

4. Ice with Drinks

Restaurant ice machines are rarely cleaned as often as they should be. Mold and bacteria can accumulate in the system — and end up in your glass.

5. Lemon Slices in Water

Those pretty lemon wedges are often handled by multiple people without gloves. Tests have found alarming bacteria levels on them.

6. Chicken Parmesan

It’s often overpriced for what it is — frozen breaded chicken, canned sauce, and pre-shredded cheese. You can make a better version at home.

7. Truffle Oil Dishes

Most truffle oil is synthetic and made from chemicals, not real truffles. It’s added to cheap ingredients to make them seem luxurious.

8. Mussels

They’re delicious when fresh but dangerous when not. Bad mussels can cause severe food poisoning, and restaurants don’t always store them properly.

9. Fancy Cocktails with Many Garnishes

Drinks loaded with fruit and herbs often sit unrefrigerated for hours, making them magnets for bacteria and flies.

10. Chicken Wings on Game Day

High demand can mean rushed cooking and undercooked wings. Many are pre-cooked and reheated in oil, not freshly fried.

11. Sushi at Non-Sushi Restaurants

If sushi isn’t the restaurant’s specialty, don’t risk it. Improperly handled raw fish can cause serious illness.

12. Oysters

Oysters filter water, meaning they can contain harmful bacteria if not stored or sourced properly. Only order from reputable seafood places.

3. Bread Basket

Free bread often gets recycled from table to table. Some restaurants reuse uneaten rolls or breadsticks — yes, really.

14. Mixed Greens or Salad Bar Items

Exposed greens can harbor bacteria, especially if not kept cold enough or handled with clean utensils.

15. The “Chef’s Surprise”

If you don’t know what’s in it, skip it. These mystery dishes are sometimes made from excess or aging ingredients.

16. Anything Deep-Fried Late at Night

Old oil turns rancid and gives food a bitter taste. Restaurants often change frying oil only once a day.

17. Ice Cream Sundaes

Those toppings? They’ve likely been sitting out for days. Hot fudge containers and whipped cream dispensers rarely get cleaned properly.

18. Veggie Burgers (in Non-Vegan Spots)

They’re often frozen and microwaved. Plus, they may be cooked on the same grill as meat, causing cross-contamination.

19. Caesar Salad

The dressing usually contains raw eggs, which can carry salmonella if not pasteurized. Also, the greens are often pre-cut and not fresh.

20. Filet Mignon

This “luxury” cut is often marked up excessively — sometimes 400% more than cost — and not always top-quality meat.

21. Nachos

The chips at many restaurants are reused leftovers, and toppings often come from prepackaged mixes or canned sauces.

22. Pancakes at Diner Chains

Many restaurants use powdered mix or pre-made batter that sits for hours, losing freshness and flavor.

23. Lobster Anything (Unless Fine Dining)

Low-end restaurants may serve frozen, rubbery lobster meat — far from the fresh, buttery experience you expect.

24. Anything with “House-Made” Dressing or Sauce (Ask First)

Sometimes “house-made” is marketing fluff — they just add herbs to bottled dressing.

25. Tap Water in Older Restaurants

Old plumbing can mean rusty or contaminated pipes. Bottled water is safer in older establishments.

26. Smoothies

Often made with sugary syrups and frozen fruit blends. They can have more calories than a dessert.

27. Steak Well-Done

Chefs say cooking steak well-done ruins flavor — plus, restaurants often use lower-quality cuts since they’ll be dry anyway.

Usually pre-made, soggy, and stored too long. Many places use leftover chicken and limp lettuce.

29. Fries Late in the Day

They’re often fried in the same old oil used all day, giving them a stale or burnt taste.

30. Anything “All You Can Eat”

Quantity over quality. These dishes are loaded with salt and cheap ingredients to make you feel full quickly.

31. Tap Beer at Dive Bars

Dirty lines and uncleaned taps lead to bad taste — and bacteria. Unless you trust the bar’s cleanliness, stick to bottled drinks.

Final Thoughts

Eating out should be a treat, not a gamble. The key is freshness, transparency, and cleanliness. When in doubt, ask questions — good restaurants are proud to share how they handle food.