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

JReacher1

MattGoku wrote: »

This is something that I feel strongly about. I enjoy steak and when I eat out I expect it to be cooked the correct way, which in the case of steak is how the customer asks for it. I ordered medium-rare last week and was given well done, I just don't think that it is acceptable. With regards to the points about the chef and establishment, I agree that they are factors but I still think that it comes down to the fact that if they ask the customer how they like it, then that is how it should be served-nothing else should matter!

Medium rare takes a bit of skill. I would not accept well done but anything between rare and medium can be the result on this. It depends where you go.

I hope you sent that steak back.

Chomeur

I remember it happened at Holiday Inn, Liverpool, too. So not that cheap a restaurant.

The trouble with complaining is that I think there will be a bit of a scene and the restaurant may insist that what I have is rare, even when it patently isn't. Perhaps the best thing would be to print out a card, with labels, but only to show this if there is a disagreement. This might seem an extreme thing to do, but I'm quite serious, I'm so tired of this problem. I might request a discount off the bill rather than wait for a fresh steak.

MattGoku

JReacher1 wrote: »

Medium rare takes a bit of skill. I would not accept well done but anything between rare and medium can be the result on this. It depends where you go.

I hope you sent that steak back.

Yes, it went straight back. I am not worried about making 'a scene' as I believe that if something is wrong then you should do something about it. I am always polite, I would never be rude and that I think is the important thing.

mad_dr

I usually ask the waiter to tell the chef to chop off the horns, wipe the arrse and pop it on a plate.

MamaMoo_2

When I was pregnant I asked for well done steak with my mixed grill due to anything less than well done being on the "avoid whilst pregnant" list. It came out dripping with blood (moreso than my husband's rare steak, which was pretty bloody!)
I sent it back and specified that I wanted it well done, no pink, cooked through.
6 attempts they had at cooking the small square of steak.
Eventually I told them to foxtrot oscar and left.

Nick_C

Trying to get a rare burger is even more difficult, but at least still technically possible here in the UK. It's illegal in Canada!

I got a rare burger for lunch on a Princess cruise ship a couple of yours ago, but only after I had signed a disclaimer!

Steak Tartare anyone?

VitaK

JReacher1 wrote: »

Yes but they're not going to recook a new steak more than once for a customer and if the chef can't cook a rare steak the customer has to eat it or eat nothing.

If the chef responsible for cooking steaks can't cook steaks, I imagine the restaurant need consider there options carefully.

stephen77

emay wrote: »

My bf had this problem once (in a well known pub chain) and when he complained was told,
'the steak has to be a certain temperature in the centre'
(in other words, doesn't matter how you want it, you'll get it well done!!!)
He doesn't order steaks in pubs any more!

You can have your steak a lot less than well done even if reaching min core temp.


Core temp in England (Scotland is different)
75c for 1 sec
70c for 2 minutes
60c for a few hour (not exactly sure on this one and this will be for big joints of meat and not steak)

To get the 70+ with out getting it well done. Will be using water baths etc to warm the steak up etc.

Many restaurants will not worry about reaching 75c. So makes it easier to get a rare steak.

stephen77

mad_dr wrote: »

I usually ask the waiter to tell the chef to chop off the horns, wipe the arrse and pop it on a plate.

Cook my steak on a warm radiator please.

JReacher1

VitaK wrote: »

If the chef responsible for cooking steaks can't cook steaks, I imagine the restaurant need consider there options carefully.

I think to describe the person who cooks food in some low level places like spoons as a "chef" is a bit optimistic! 15 years ago it was whoever was around did the cooking.

Most of its just deep frying or microwaving. Something like cooking a steak to a required method does take a bit of skill.