There are pages and pages of food and cooking myths here on Culinary Lore. Not surprisingly, the restaurant industry is the subject of its own die-hard myths. Some of these are perpetuated by Food TV and celebrity chefs, especially those looking to stand out in the publishing world. Others are promoted by restaurant employees. Here are beliefs […]
Dining
Is It Legal For Restaurants to Not Accept Cash?
I’ve noticed a lot of restaurants popping up with a peculiar sign in their window: Cashless. Yes, these restaurants will not take cash!. They only accept credit cards. Yet, right on your money, it says “legal tender for all debts private and public.” Are these cashless restaurants legal? First, though, why in the world would a […]
Is It True that 90% of Restaurants Fail in Their First Year?
Most restaurants fail. You will hear this claim on restaurant makeover shows and read it in various articles concerning the restaurant business. How many are most? Well, an article on CNBC in March of 2016 which claimed that “most restaurants fail” seemed to settle at around sixty percent. Most estimates are even higher, and the […]
Never Eat Complimentary Bread At Restaurants?
I have long seen dire warnings against ordering or eating certain restaurant foods. These warnings come in two main varieties. One, the food is gross and dirty in some way and, two: it is a rip-off and of low quality. One of the most often heard examples is complimentary bread. Chefs, restaurant employees, and others say […]
Why Do Waiters Ask You if You Want a Drink First?
Let’s be honest, even as we ask this question, we know that we probably don’t want to sit in a restaurant reading a menu without anything to drink. It gives us something to do and in the case of alcohol, it helps us relax, leading to a more pleasant evening as long as we drink […]
Angus Beef Burgers: Why Quality Cooking Matters
It seems that just about every restaurant that serves burgers, including carryout and delivery restaurants, have at least one Angus Beef Burgerin place of honor on their burger menu. Angus beef is supposed to be the best beef. It is not only well-marbled and tasty, it is economical for the beef industry. Yet, when I order […]