How often do you make substitutions?

[traviesojmt]

I don't often ask for substitutions but there are a few times that I will. For example, I ask for the mashed potatoes instead of the sticky rice with my steak at Kona Cafe. I also detest asparagus, so I will ask for anything but that.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I never ask for substitutions.

The only food on earth that I truly will not eat is mushrooms, and if a dish I truly want contains mushrooms, I may ask if they can be omitted, but I'd never ask them to throw in some green beans instead. If the mushrooms are integral to the dish, or cannot be removed, then I'll find something else.

 

[crystalcml]

The only thing I've asked to substitute was at 50's and I got the fried chicken and it comes with greens. I can't stand greens so I asked if they had another veggie choice and they gave my corn instead. It didn't seem to be a big deal for them to switch the veggie!

 

[gillep]

I will try pretty much ANYTHING so I rarely feel the need to make substitutions and try to order things that I don't normally make or eat at home. The only times I will ever substitute is to ask for a salad instead of fries, or onion rings instead of fries so that DH and I don't need to get an appy just to have a couple onion rings, or to ask for no butter on vegetables as for some reason I just can't stand butter on any vegetable except for corn on the cob.

 

[staceyf197]

My family doesn't make substitutions. There is always something on the menu for us to order. If there is something that I don't like about a particular dish I will either not eat that item or just order something else.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am more likely to request that ingredients be taken off - like onions, scallions, chives, etc. I HATE those and for me they ruin an otherwise really good entree. I think it is more about me enjoying the dish than preserving the "integrity" of the menu item. I also prefer sauces on the side because even if I like the sauce I can guarantee there will be too much of it on the plate for my taste.

I have asked once to substitute scalloped potatoes with some other potato, but they messed it up and gave me scalloped potatoes anyway. I didn't touch them.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I never used to ask for substitutions - about a year ago, something changed and I decided that I might as well enjoy what I'm eating than to accept anything less.

for instance, after reading the reviews of Jiko, the mac n cheese that comes with the steak was said to be outstanding but the steak - meh. The BBQ beef rib was said to be great but it was served with ? warm potato salad at the time I think? Not my ideal dish.

I asked (not demanded) if it was possible to get the beef rib served with the mac n cheese and the server agreed right away - and let me tell you - it was outstanding. The BBQ sauce on the rib meshed perfectly with the mac n cheese and the dish was perfect - FOR ME.

Life is too short to eat something you don't like - especially when there's something you do like staring you in the face.

 

[Taja]

I rarely ask for substitutions, as I usually avoid restaurants where I don't like the food. However, sometimes I have to go along with the group (or my BFF, who is an adventurous diner!), so I may ask for sauce on the side or to hold the rice, or something similar. Usually not a substitution, per se, just eliminate something I know I won't eat and place something already included on the side so I can try it, but it won't ruin an otherwise good meal if I don't like it!

Not an adventurous diner at all! Prefer food well prepared and plain! *LOL*

 

[Melodious]

I too never request substitutions. In general, I want to try a dish as it was intended and if I don't like a component, I'll order something else. Sometimes by ordering something more adventurous, I get something that I don't like, but that's the way it goes when you try something new. Course it's pretty clear I'm not a picky eater because you don't want to know what I eat here in Liberia

 

[clutter]

I do.

EVERY time I go to Le Cellier. Because the Mushroom Filet is SO good. And the risotto is decent, but the mashed potatoes are to DIE for. And my dd will do it, too, but usually to have a sauce on the side so she can try it first, or to change the starch.

 

[RDP]

All the menus I've come across at WDW have provided plenty of choice. I have never not been able to find a dish that I will enjoy. I agree totally with the OP

 

[lblume91]

Only when the server offers, like at 50s Prime Time when he offered corn in place of the less-than-popular greens.

 

[HelenParr]

Like the OP, I don't plan on making substitutions while I'm choosing off a menu -- but I do like to know what's in food. I'm very annoyed at myself when I get a dish that I don't like because of some aspect that, if had I known, I'd have skipped it.

So I ask wait staff questions before I order if I'm not sure. I'm prepared to move to other choicec based on the new info. But this discussion very often leads to the server indicating along lines of what some PPs have said:

"Oh, they can do that with any veggie" or
"Actually, the chef is happy to make it with XYZ sauce too"

If that's substituting then I do it frequently. When it is common enough for the server to know the kitchen's options then I figure that's just part of the experience.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I think that, mostly, the notion that substituting offends the chef is a myth. I just think most dishes taste better using all the ingredients!

I completely agree with this. There are a few chefs who are prima donnas and believe that it's their way or the highway (usually not particularly talented but in possession of huge egos), and a few who truly posses the culinary talent to make the perfect dish, but the vast majority of chefs would prefer the diner to actually enjoy the meal and do not mind substitutions (within reason).

I also agree that, in the majority of cases, the person preparing the meal has put a lot of thought into the creation of the dish and their opinion matters, which is why I'll generally give them the benefit of the doubt and try their preparation.

Unless it's mushrooms. I just cannot eat the mushrooms.