Do you add SALT and PEPPER to your RESTAURANT FOOD?

Question

When you eat out at a restaurant, do you usually add salt and/or pepper to your meal, or do you eat the meal the way the chef prepared it?

It's been noted that some chefs get very upset and are offended if they see someone adding seasoning to what they prepared.

zeitgeist057 · Accepted Answer

As a former chef, chefs who get offended are taking themselves too seriously. Not everyone has the same tastes. Some people enjoy things spicier, others prefer things more bland or lightly seasoned in order to savor the natural flavors of the food.

As a chef, I prefer to under-salt foods I prepare for others because there are many people who are on low-sodium diets or simply enjoy food less salty. It is very easy for someone to add a little salt to taste, and it won't offend me at all. Pepper is also another great ingredient for the end user to add if they want a little extra kick. I would prefer a restaurant to have a pepper grinder style dispenser to a shaker, as the pre-ground pepper has a diminished potency. Finer ground pepper is going to be spicier, and I will even use a mortar and pestle to prepare black pepper when cooking.

As a consumer, I have been more often disturbed by over seasoning than under seasoning. It's especially troublesome because you can't just ask for a ramekin of sauce, dressing, or whatever's lacking. The whole dish is ruined. This is why I typically ask for my salads "very lightly dressed" or with the dressing on the side. I prefer to have my salad tossed, but if it's in danger of being over-dressed, I'll just toss it at the table.

I would say the one (possible) exception to the "add what you like" policy is some of the "this food is art" type restaurants where they are serving you more than just food, it's supposed to be an experience. Usually it's just a bite or two, and I probably wouldn't add anything without tasting it, and once you've tasted it, it's gone. You kind of have to just trust the chef on that one.

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

I rarely add salt to any food I eat, with the exception of French fries, and I eat those very rarely. Hypertension is common in my family but my BP is very steady at 124/72.

I use hot sauce, such as Louisiana Crystal Sauce, Frank's Red Hot wing sauce, or Valentina on some foods, such as friend chicken, but I rarely add pepper to anything.

So it's not a matter of trusting the chef or wanting to avoid insulting the chef; it's just my longstanding preferences.

Pinay_ako · Accepted Answer

Hell yes but I will make it known to the chef, it needed more seasoning but I will be nice about it. Or when I make the order, I’d tell the waiter to add a little sodium 🧂 to make it just how I like it. They always turn out good. And I always go back to my favourite restaurants.

DizzyDesii · Accepted Answer

Hardly. I really dont like touching the condiments that everyone else touched. Its killer enough to have to eat off the same plate. I bring my own utensils

Sjoerd85 · Answer

I never add such things, including when I am cooking myself. If you don't like the food without it, you obviously don't really like the food itself. Why did that happen? Because you ruined your taste by using salt/pepper on everything too much perhaps?

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

Most cheap restaurant food has always been too salty for my liking. I was a sous chef. You can make food taste good without simply loading it down with salt. As for the pepper, I don't use anything but fresh ground. Preground pepper goes flat so soon that's not a flavor I'd ever want to add to something.

Jaximus-Lion · Answer

It depends on what kind of restaurant i am in. If it's a sports bar, that's all frozen half done food so i would put some peppar to it and ask for some fried spices on it like rosemary. If i am at a gourmet restaurant with high quality food, i am asking for more to eat and order another glass of wine too.

purplepoppy · Answer

A proper restaurant no, but if it's just a pub meal then I might do .

Jersey2 · Answer

The chef is the chef but I am the food critic and customer. At a high end restaurant I would hesitate and make sure however. But I will have it the way that I prefer. They leave salt and pepper out for a reason. A $20 lobster soup appetizer, I have added cracked pepper to it as I like it that way.

Lets be honest, sometimes/often the chef and crew are whomever they could get and definitely not Gordon Ramsey… even at a restaurant that is considered high end.

PBandJ_Nerd · Answer

I usually don't. I might add pepper on say eggs but that's about it. Most of that food doesn't need anything added. Anything else and it's me adding zero calorie sweetener to my unsweetened tea or creamer in my coffee.

SnowedIn · Answer

Sometimes. Depends on the meal and that dish.  For instance I'll almost always add to a beef dish.  Very rarely with poultry or something saucy.

EmmaMary · Answer

@aviatortom  @purplepoppy has very kindly answered on my behalf!

Amy10223 · Answer

No, never. , Restaurants already do that for you, especially with salt. Thats why I don't like going to them.

ShesRad80 · Answer

salt always, pepper rarely

OfMiceandMen · Answer

It usually has more salt than I would normally add, so no. I may add a bit of heat as restaurants tend to come in under what I am used to.

Paris13 · Answer

Not Usually. I Use No Salt at Home though. xxoo

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

As for me if I have to add anything to a restaurant meal I’m eating at the wrong restaurant.

gothbxtch · Answer

i do. i drown everything i eat in pepper haha. people have told me i have a “smoker’s palette” lol.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I don't add salt / pepper to my Fast food.

Anonymous · Answer

I dont, my boyfriend on the other hand adds salt and pepper to almost everything he eats. Rice, noodles, fries, burgers, anything you can think of really.

exitseven · Answer

I usually put extra salt on the french fries.

Nick1976G · Answer

I usually have to add seasoning to my food at restaurants... especially on vegetables.

Sparkie460 · Answer

I don't ever add salt or pepper to my food except for an egg sandwich.

madhatters4 · Answer

only after tasting will i add salt or pepper if it is needed. but i rarely feel the need to add salt or pepper

HippieVeganJewslim · Answer

No thanks. Table salt is inorganic sodium chloride. It’s toxic. Ever wondered why Americans douse their food with salt and then many get high-blood pressure? Cooks almost always put salt in food by DEFAULT. Why must We add to it?

Nikki1989 · Answer

Yes, especially pepper.

mandyfire98 · Answer

I always taste my food first.

Taffy1234 · Answer

Pepper all day long.

Jazzy54 · Answer

Depends on what the food is.

Andres77 · Answer

I try it first and then adjust as needed

Anonymous · Answer

Yeah I do if it needs it.

Iron_Man · Answer

No I don’t except on corn 🌽

msc545 · Answer

salt sometimes. Pepper never.

Fireguy17 · Answer

I actually taste my food first, then decide.

EaterPeter · Answer

Rarely

SawerBrown · Answer

I taste it first

Anonymous · Answer

Nope.

Christoff92 · Answer

No. Ain't a fan.

Do you add SALT and PEPPER to your RESTAURANT FOOD?

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