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ask, calories, chains, dining, eating, Europe, fast food, food, healthy, New York, nutrition, restaurants, tipping, US
I’m writing this post, because over the years the relative ignorance of Europeans about eating out in the US has bothered me as much as the ignorance of Americans about the level of development in Europe. Even some of my closest friends seem to be under the impression that it’s nothing but hamburgers and pizza, despite my many ravings about delicious dining experiences in US cities, including Sorellina, Roy’s, Rosa Mexicano and Spice Market.
To say that Belgium boasts anything less than delicious cuisine would do it disservice. Even in the smallest brasserie you can count on enjoying a fabulous meal. But to the casual visitor, would not the abundance of friteries and kebab joints, not to mention all the heavy cream sauces, give the appearance that Belgian cuisine is hardly varied or refined?
So here are some tips to make the most of your dining experiences in the US.
Spoiled for choice
Chain restaurants are plenty and absorb most of the visitor’s attention. It’s important to choose the right one; though they may look alike from the outside, there are great variations in food quality and ambiance. Here are a few tips, keeping in mind that the list of fast food chains is very long, there are many regional variations, and of course: to each their own.
Bar & Grill: Chilis beats TGI Fridays
Breakfast: IHOP beats Denny’s beats Waffle House
Italian: Bucca di Beppo beats Macaroni Grill beats Olive Garden
Sandwiches: Schlotzky’s Deli beats Quizno’s beats Subway
Tex-Mex: Chipotle beats Taco Bell
Asian: Pei Wei is high on my list for its lettuce wraps, which are great for lunch.
Burgers: Five Guys and In-n-Out Burger are top notch. For best quality consistency, McDonalds is still a good bet.
Beside the many chain restaurants and fast food places, one-off family-owned places can be found everywhere with equal variety in quality of food and style. Numero Uno in Orlando is one of those one-off gems; as are Johnny B’s in South Lake, TX, and Toloache in New York.
Then there’s a long list of upscale dining – both chain and one-off. I already mentioned a few in the opening paragraph. Nobu is another favorite, found all over the world. My personal best of New York: Asia de Cuba, Ruby Foo’s, Megu, Carmine’s, Dos Caminos, and Blue Fin (as well as the above mentioned Rosa Mexicano and Spice Market).
Wining and dining vs. speed dining
Most places cater to an audience that goes out to eat because it’s cheaper and less of a hassle than home cooking. They don’t necessarily want to wine and dine; a quick bite after work or right before the movie will do. Add the fact that waiters live off tips and four tables a night means more tips than one table, and lightning speed service is guaranteed. If you’re looking for a dining experience that lasts half the night, seek out the chicer places that require reservations.
Customize your order
Just like Meg Ryan in When Harry met Sally, it doesn’t really matter what’s on the menu, as many places will adjust your order to your liking. I’ve heard people complain about getting a bag of potato chips with their steak. If you didn’t want it, you should have asked to exchange it for fries, the steamed veggies, or any other side on the menu. If you find the standard breakfast menu too fatty, ask for an egg white omelet with veggies only instead of the regular with bacon bits and cheese.
Dining out in the US – unlike in Europe – means you, the customer, are truly king. In addition to customizing the ingredients of your order, you can also ask to share dishes. Portion sizes being often too large for one person, asking for two plates for a single order, or requesting a doggy bag, are very common. Did you want your cocktail mixed a certain way? Do you need more time in between courses? You just have to ask politely, and you’ll find the flexibility of US restaurants makes dining out a veritable delight. Is anything not to your liking? Ask to speak to the manager and kindly, yet firmly make your case.
When I hear Europeans complain about eating out in the US, it’s usually because they didn’t ask for what they really wanted, because in Europe, restaurants simply aren’t that flexible (for a number of good and bad reasons).
Getting carded
Bummer when you’re a teen, flattering when you’re over 30. Make sure you bring a photo ID if you plan on ordering alcohol. I have found that the new credit card sized IDs work better than international passports, because they look similar to a US driver’s license.
Tipping
Waiters in the US make about USD 2 an hour (compared to the average EUR 10 of waiters in Belgium). Unlike in Europe service is not included in the bill. Any tips under 15% of the total bill is justified if the service was appalling. Go up to 20% if the service was lovely. Just because as a tourist you may never go back, is no reason to screw over the wait staff. Whatever you may think of this cultural difference.
Nutrition facts
Recent US regulations now demand that restaurants publish the nutritional value of their food. Compare Taco Bell’s 7-layer burrito (510 calories) to a McDonald’s hamburger (230 calories) or the Starbucks strawberry and blueberry yogurt parfait (300 calories). Or compare from Starbucks the Americano (10 calories) to the skinny vanilla latte (90) calories to the white chocolate mocha frappuccino (310 calories). What about the McDonald’s Caesar salad (220 calories) versus the Burger King Tendercrisp Garden Salad (610 calories) or the Subway turkey breast salad (110 calories)?
Clearly, your personal choices dictate your calorie intake. Claiming weight gain due to lack of choice in healthy foods, is a big fat lie. After all, how many European restaurants list their ingredients as detailed (and with vegetarians in mind) as US restaurants, such as Johnny Rockets? Many US restaurants even let you calculate the nutritional value of your order, like Chipotle. You’ll think twice about ordering that tortilla wrap you don’t really need.
I hope this sheds a bit of light on that wonderful melting pot of cultures and cuisines that is the US, and hope that these tips will make for a more pleasant dining experience next time you go.
Have I forgotten any precious tips? What are your favorite US restaurants?
