Mashed Survey: The Absolute Worst Thing To Order At A Steakhouse

If a place is called a "steakhouse," you'd probably expect that it's known for one thing: steak. Whether it's a chain like LongHorn Steakhouse or your local steakhouse, you know that when you go to one of these places, you'll be able to order a big, juicy hunk of meat. Of course, these places don't just serve steak, but also a wide selection of other meats and sides to accompany your sirloin or prime rib.

Texas Roadhouse, for example, is well-known for its famous yeast rolls and honey butter. Outsider reports that the rolls are so beloved that there's even a "roll challenge" to see how many of the rolls can be eaten in a certain amount of time. Thrillist raved about the selection of sides you can get at a steakhouse, ranging from overloaded baked potatoes stuffed with bacon and cheese to mac and cheese to onion rings, proclaiming that the sides that accompany your hunk of steer are the "unsung heroes" of your dinner.

But for as many delicious steaks, sides, and free bread these places offer you, there are some things that some people would recommend that you should never order at a steakhouse. Mashed polled 599 people to find out just what you shouldn't order the next time you're on a big night out. The answer, some may say, isn't too surprising.

Out of the 599 people Mashed surveyed, 33.39% (or 200 people) would agree that you should avoid ordering your steak well-done at a steakhouse. Meanwhile, 32.39% of people warned against ordering fish, 13.69% advised against salad, 13.52% cautioned against chicken, and 7.01% warned against ordering burgers. So, what is it about well-done steak that makes 200 people advise against it? 

According to The Takeout, some chefs wince at the idea of preparing a steak well-done. The Spruce Eats explains that preparing a steak well-done impacts the flavor and texture of the meat. The longer the steak is cooked for, the more juices begin to evaporate. The fibers inside begin to firm, leading to a drier, chewier steak instead of one that's tender and juicy.

Of course, there are some people who just plain like well-done steak. And if they enjoy it, why worry about it?

If there's one thing steakhouses like to brag about, it's their meat. And if steakhouses take such pride in their beef, wouldn't you expect the chicken to be pretty decent, too? After all, meat is meat, right? 

But according to Eat This, Not That!, ordering chicken at a steakhouse can be a gamble. It's not because the chicken isn't high-quality or the chefs don't know what they're doing, but the fact that you're in a place that focuses on steaks. Imagine going into the best steakhouse in the country and asking to try the chicken dish. It may be a good dish, sure, but you're missing out on what makes that steakhouse so great. Why go to a place known for steaks and not get a steak?

Of course, this isn't to imply that chicken is a bad option at every steakhouse. Outback Steakhouse, for example, is well-known for its Alice Springs Chicken and even had a fried chicken dish made with its famous Bloomin' Onion coating (per People). Chicken isn't necessarily a "bad" choice, but it's not every day you can enjoy a nice, juicy steak grilled to perfection. 

At a fancy steakhouse, it's safe to say that you're not going to be dealing with low-quality meat. And the same could be said about the produce — chances are, you won't be picking brown pieces of soggy lettuce or bruised vegetables out of your salad. So, why do 13.69% of people suggest skipping the steakhouse salad?

It's not that steakhouse salad, in particular, is "bad." It's the idea that all salads served at any restaurants can be a bit sketchy. How can you be so sure that the salads are as fresh as the meat? For all you know, the whole thing could have been tossed together with scraps from unwashed lettuce and soaked in cheap ranch dressing to hide any blemishes. The Healthy also reports that salad prices are often marked up at restaurants, so you might end up paying far more for a simple bowl of greens, croutons, and vegetables than you'd expect. Conversely, with a steak, you're at least paying the high price for something the steakhouse is well-known for.

Of course, this isn't to say that ordering salad at a steakhouse (or any other restaurant) is bad. If you enjoy a good salad and a steak dinner, that's all that matters.