Untold Secrets About Restaurants: Revealed

Restaurants, despite their public image, often operate behind the scenes with practices and secrets that may surprise many. From the ingredients used to the treatment of servers, there are numerous truths that are not commonly known. In this article, we will uncover some of these secrets and provide insights into the world of restaurants.

Common Practices in Restaurant Food Preparation

A significant number of restaurants, particularly chain establishments, rely on pre-prepared and often frozen ingredients to streamline their operations. Many restaurant items, especially hamburgers, can be mostly frozen or ready-to-go before they are ordered. Here are some details on common practices:

Bread and Other Common Ingredients

Bread is often a common ingredient that is purchased ready-to-go, as many restaurants do not have an in-house bakery. Patties are typically frozen, as are cheese slices and sauces which are dispensed from pumps. Fries are fried from frozen, and salads are often pre-cut and bagged, reducing the need for manual preparation. While some restaurants do handcraft their ingredients, this is more common in independent eateries. For chains, maintaining a consistent standard across multiple locations necessitates the purchase of such ingredients.

Vegetarian Requests and the Backroom Mystery

Vegetarian requests often pose extra work for kitchen staff and can slow down operations. This fact has been highlighted by even high-profile chefs like Gordon Ramsay, who has been criticized by some for his comments on vegetarian orders. The extra work involved in preparing vegetarian dishes can be significant, making it a less favored choice for busy chefs.

Complaining to a Waiter: Think Twice

Before you complain to a waiter about your food, consider the consequences. The food and service industry can be stressful, and waiters often deal with a range of customer issues daily. Complaints, even if justified, can be detrimental to the industry staff.

Price Disparity in Restaurants

While it may seem unfair, the cheapest thing in a restaurant is often the actual food. Access to a wholesale food store reveals that restaurant food is about half the price of what consumers typically pay. This is a deliberate strategy to ensure that restaurants can provide large portions and still maintain profitability with minimal markup.

How to Treat Your Servers

It is essential to treat servers with respect. One way to inform them of their treatment can be through their actions towards your food. Misleading reports suggest that servers may spit in or tamper with food if treated disrespectfully. Always treat your servers with respect, as a sign of mutual respect and decent service in return.

Restaurant Hygiene: A Guide for First-Timers

Before you enter a new restaurant, it’s wise to check for certain key indicators of hygiene. Who better to test this than a school girl who conducted a hands-on experiment for her class? She found that the water in fast food places was often cleaner than the ice dispenser in restaurants, with the ice sometimes showing green at the bottom. To ensure your safety, check the cleanliness of the restrooms, the soap dispenser, and paper towel availability.

In conclusion, understanding the hidden secrets of the restaurant industry can help consumers make more informed choices and appreciate the efforts behind the scenes. Whether it's the preparation of food or interactions with staff, there is more to the dining experience than meets the eye.