Chain Leader

Who says that is a cheese sauce? A pre-packaged, dry powder, add water to reconstitute (but still calorie laden) mix does not a cheese sauce make. Nevertheless, you make a good point. This has more to do with the server's product knowledge (or lack thereof) coupled with simple common sense. But then again, you still can't explain those people who get a Big Mac meal at a certain other franchise which shall remain nameless, only to Supersize and then order a diet coke so big it has an undertow in it.

Isn't Perkins known for its sodden mediocre quality? Would you really expect to get a Mimi's Cafe-quality breakfast here? I avoid these places since they cheap out on ingredients and style, despite their contemporary exterior appearances.

I'm one of those order a Big Mac and a diet pop because I like the flavor of diet. I've also found myself serving tables for 20 years at various places. I feel that it is the customers job to be specific and clear. The server may assume your wife ordered egg beaters because she preferred the taste. My rule, make no assumptions. Ask for what you'd like. Your server will appreciate your clear direction.

As someone who tries frequently to eat health-consciously in restaurants, I know to look for those "red flag" words on the menu (i.e. gravy, sauce, mayo, dressing, etc) and ask for them either on the side, or left off altogether. Now, if the menu failed to mention that the dish was served with sauce, then it's a different story. But, assuming that the dish was accurately described on the menu, it is ultimately the responsibility of the patron to be specific with their order. I've served tables long enough to know that even though a woman orders a salad, she's still going to reach across the table to grab a handful of her boyfriend's fries. At any given moment a server will have at least ten things on their mind...the last thing they need to do is try and read yours.

I agree with Erin. So many customers don't read the menu. If you're not sure, ask questions. If you don't, really, are you that concerned with your health??? I work at a Japanese restaurant, and recently had a customer who says she can't have any soy sauce. As much as I wanted to say "Why the hell are you here?", I tried to point out the 3 or 4 dishes that don't use soy sauce. Then she lookes at me funny like she doesn't trust me (I'm Japanese-American. My parents are Japanese. I speak Japanese. I look Japanese!) and orders a dish that does have soy sauce. What can I say?????

As far as dietary things go, yup, it had BETTER be caveat emptor. When people go so far with the "protected cradle-to-grave" attitude in today's society that they feel a teenaged server should warn them about their dining choices, we need to take a long, hard look at things. It's hard enough to get staff to show up for shifts, much less to have to train them in dietary concerns. If the customer does not make a specific request (such as, "which breakfast has no sauce?"), the server better keep his/her mouth shut. Otherwise, it is a certain road to a manager complaint over insulted customers! After 30 years of restaurants, I'd NEVER coach employees to do such a thing.

exactly, why does the server have to be the guest's dietitian if the menu items is accurately described on the menu.

Send it back if it is not what you ordered or cannot eat it.