So tired of ordering steaks rare and getting them well done.

Chomeur

I always order rare steaks in restaurants. In spite of this, at least half the time they come well done, at least in the UK. I hate to complain because I know the restaurant will have to find another steak and be unhappy about that and then I have to wait again for my meal.

I'm thinking that the answer might be to print off a small card to keep in my wallet and show to the waiter when I am ordering so that it's clear what I mean. There's a good one here http://fuuka.warosu.org/data/ck/img/0043/92/1365906584492.jpg. If I have done that then I will feel better about making a fuss if it comes well done. Is that too rude? Maybe I should just restrict myself to doing it at cheaper restaurants where the chef is less likely to be offended by his supposed lack of culinary knowledge.

McKneff

No, it would be very rude.

You would be likely to get some bad service if you did that.

Or the chef would be doing something nasty to your meal.

Chomeur

McKneff wrote: »

No, it would be very rude.

You would be likely to get some bad service if you did that.

Or the chef would be doing something nasty to your meal.

Maybe if I have a card with just a picture of a cut-through rare steak, no wording. Then I can pretend that I'm a bit naive and don't know what it's called. All I know is that I want it 75% red through the centre. If the waiter explains to me that that is what is normally referred to as "rare" then I can nod appreciatively and thank him.

Andy_L

Chomeur wrote: »

I hate to complain because I know the restaurant will have to find another steak and be unhappy about that and then I have to wait again for my meal.

Although since you want it rare it won't be that long to wait

Complain! Its the only way they know the chef's !!!!.

paddyrg

The quality of the meat and the quality of the chef often go hand in hand! As such, take it as it comes, often in places with less skilled chefs serve up meat that actually benefits from a little longer on the grill!

yangptangkipperbang

Chomeur wrote: »

. I hate to complain because I know the restaurant will have to find another steak and be unhappy about that

That is why "restaurants" serve improperly prepared/cooked food - they know they will get away with it !

Complain, and ask to be served what you ordered. If you still don't get what you want - leave !

goonarmy

Chomeur wrote: »

I always order rare steaks in restaurants. In spite of this, at least half the time they come well done, at least in the UK. I hate to complain because I know the restaurant will have to find another steak and be unhappy about that and then I have to wait again for my meal.

I'm thinking that the answer might be to print off a small card to keep in my wallet and show to the waiter when I am ordering so that it's clear what I mean. There's a good one here http://fuuka.warosu.org/data/ck/img/0043/92/1365906584492.jpg. If I have done that then I will feel better about making a fuss if it comes well done. Is that too rude? Maybe I should just restrict myself to doing it at cheaper restaurants where the chef is less likely to be offended by his supposed lack of culinary knowledge.

You need to eat at better places.

stephen77

how much are you paying for your steak?

Ask for it blue so you get rare?

gunsandbanjos

goonarmy wrote: »

You need to eat at better places.

Very true, I also like my steak rare and never have an issue.

OliveOil

stephen77 wrote: »

how much are you paying for your steak?

Ask for it blue so you get rare?

I have had issues with this as well. It shouldn't matter how much you pay for it, if you ask for it rare, surely it should come rare, otherwise why bother asking you how you want it?

Depends on the restaurant, I now do that, order blue to get it rare...

eldinero

OliveOil wrote: »

I have had issues with this as well. It shouldn't matter how much you pay for it, if you ask for it rare, surely it should come rare, otherwise why bother asking you how you want it?

Definitely this. Especially when they ask you how you want it cooked, if they ask then they should be able to provide it! Doesn't matter who they are, I've worked in pubs where the chef was paid a pittance. He still knew how to cook a rare steak!