Ordering from a "secret menu"

[bcla]

Not necessarily thinking of something like In-N-Out's secret menu, which is just way too well known these days.

I remember the one menu item I used to get was a lunch order of Chili's baby back ribs. I'm thinking about it today since this is their special today where they make a half order of ribs with two sides available on their 3 for $10 menu. Normally just the ribs are about $12.50 depending on the location. I remember when they were less. However, this was something I used to see occasionally on a lunch-only menu (on a card) for maybe $6.99. And it was sizable too with the half slab of ribs but also a full order of fries and a side of their cinnamon apples. One time I mentioned that I wished they still had it, and a server said they did although it was never on the menu. From that point I was ordering that for several years at almost any location, although once I had a place that said all they could do for less than a full slab was a small tray (maybe a quarter) as an appetizer without any sides.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Ordering something a place used to have but is still able to make isn’t really a “secret menu” kind of order, IMO. The people I know who have worked as servers or at fast food can’t stand customers who pull the “secret menu” thing. I do know a couple of baristas who like making up new combos, but they initiated it and mentioned it to their regulars.

 

[tvguy]

Ordering something a place used to have but is still able to make isn’t really a “secret menu” kind of order, IMO. The people I know who have worked as servers or at fast food can’t stand customers who pull the “secret menu” thing. I do know a couple of baristas who like making up new combos, but they initiated it and mentioned it to their regulars.

Our favorite family restaurant took a sandwich my wife and son loved off the menu. Server said "no problem", we still have all the ingredients and lots of people still order it.

 

[wildride]

Our favorite family restaurant took a sandwich my wife and son loved off the menu. Server said "no problem", we still have all the ingredients and lots of people still order it.

Same here but with lobster mac & cheese. They will make it if asked, I don't think of it as secret though.

 

[anniemae]

If they still have the ingredients they will usually have no problem making anything for a customer. In this day and age of special diets and food allergies, most restaurants will pretty much cater to customer requests, make substitutions etc. I don't see it as a secret, just pleasing the customer. If not, customers will stay home and cook what they like.

 

[BrianL]

Potbelly has a cool secret menu with some delicious sandwiches on it. Some are just combinations of other sandwiches, but that's also how you get peanut butter and jelly.

 

[purplefern]

My family's favorite "secret menu" item is the 7x7 (call it a seven by seven if you want to order it) at Steak-n-Shake. It's seven burger patties on top of each other (it used to cost $7.77 but last time we got it it was different, so I think they changed that...)

 

[GreatLakes]

A local place used to have a secret wine and beer list but with social media it always got out and wasn't really all that secret. It was meant to be for regulars or close friends of the owner but once so many people came in and asked for it they got rid of it.

The availability for anyone to blab about anything special has ruined a lot of it in my opinion.

 

[disneychrista]

The brewery I worked for had a not secret “secret menu” of beers you could create.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Not exactly secret, but I've turned a few friends onto ordering cheaper burgers from McDonalds and then asking for Big Mac sauce. Get yourself a cheaper, but equally delicious Big Mac!

 

[QueenIsabella]

Not necessarily thinking of something like In-N-Out's secret menu, which is just way too well known these days.

I remember the one menu item I used to get was a lunch order of Chili's baby back ribs. I'm thinking about it today since this is their special today where they make a half order of ribs with two sides available on their 3 for $10 menu. Normally just the ribs are about $12.50 depending on the location. I remember when they were less. However, this was something I used to see occasionally on a lunch-only menu (on a card) for maybe $6.99. And it was sizable too with the half slab of ribs but also a full order of fries and a side of their cinnamon apples. One time I mentioned that I wished they still had it, and a server said they did although it was never on the menu. From that point I was ordering that for several years at almost any location, although once I had a place that said all they could do for less than a full slab was a small tray (maybe a quarter) as an appetizer without any sides.

You really seem to be obsessed with Chili's ribs. You've posted about them numerous times. Have you considered buying a smoker so you can make your own, any time you want, in whatever quantity? Father's Day is just a couple weeks away, you could drop a hint or two...

 

[bcla]

Same here but with lobster mac & cheese. They will make it if asked, I don't think of it as secret though.

OK. Maybe "off menu". The thing about the Chili's half order of baby back ribs was it was something that every location had in its available "inventory" at any time. The receipt would just say "HALF RIBS" the same way meaning it was something they could easily just punch up on their ordering screens. Other than one place that said they could do a few ribs as an appetizer, not a single server or front of the room employee (who used to do take out orders) gave it a second thought. They all knew what I wanted, but it was just never on the menu. And I didn't really get how the pricing worked since it was $6.99 at a time when their full order with the same sides was about $15. Of course eventually that became a regular menu item listed on the same page as full orders.

The other thing was the Taco Bell Chalupa Cravings Box. Even after it went off the main board, I'd been able to order it sometimes. However, a few locations said they couldn't do it, so I just ordered it online for pickup. I've also seen some weird things with that, including one location where it was $7, but if I ordered it online for the same location it was $5.

 

[starvenger]

The "Secret Menu" for me means when we go to a Chinese-American restaurant, speak to the manager/owner in Cantonese, and they either give us a completely different menu or tell us what they can make for us.

Not exactly secret, but I've turned a few friends onto ordering cheaper burgers from McDonalds and then asking for Big Mac sauce. Get yourself a cheaper, but equally delicious Big Mac!

I've seen a couple of places that had a "like a Mac" button on their register. It's been a while since I've actually been in the restaurant so I can't remember if the McDouble has a "like a Mac" option on the self-order screen.

 

[bcla]

I've seen a couple of places that had a "like a Mac" button on their register. It's been a while since I've actually been in the restaurant so I can't remember if the McDouble has a "like a Mac" option on the self-order screen.

McDonald's has a lot of little things. One I recall was Happy Meal toys without any food. I remember one location had them for less than 70 cents, and I might get several. I heard somewhere that McDonald's doesn't even pay for them as they arrange it as free advertisement pretty much. I also remember paying 50 cents for one of those GoGurt packets.

They had all sorts of strange things at McDonald's including combos that I could only get by ordering through their app. Or at least at some locations they told me they couldn't do it at the register, so I stood back and ordered through my phone to get that price.

 

[purplefern]

The "Secret Menu" for me means when we go to a Chinese-American restaurant, speak to the manager/owner in Cantonese, and they either give us a completely different menu or tell us what they can make for us.

That's pretty cool! (Quite the motivator for learning a new language, at least in my opinion. XD)

 

[bcla]

That's pretty cool! (Quite the motivator for learning a new language, at least in my opinion. XD)

I've been to a Chinese restaurant where the way to order was to "let (the owner) Peter decide". I was afraid we were going to be stuck with a massive bill, but it was pretty reasonable and included nothing that was listed on the regular menu. And I've heard he does this for almost anyone and not just Chinese customers. From what I gather a customer may have to insist on ordering from the printed menu. I've heard of places where there are menu items only on the wall in Chinese and not translated. This wasn't anything so blatant about how they serve "foreigners" differently.

 

[AustinTink]

I've been to a Chinese restaurant where the way to order was to "let (the owner) Peter decide". I was afraid we were going to be stuck with a massive bill, but it was pretty reasonable and included nothing that was listed on the regular menu. And I've heard he does this for almost anyone and not just Chinese customers. From what I gather a customer may have to insist on ordering from the printed menu. I've heard of places where there are menu items only on the wall in Chinese and not translated. This wasn't anything so blatant about how they serve "foreigners" differently.

House of Nanking in SF?

 

[Dole_whip_doll]

i believe McDonalds toys are available for purchase for like $1.95 or something. I remember it was on the screen from the person in front of me at the drive thru the night the new Star Wars toys came out.

Not secret at all, but just because we are talking about Chinese restaurants. where I first lived after college has this amazing Chinese place. They had a small buffet but did regular plates meals and to go. I always ordered to go because i was single and by myself. If Mama Lee (the owner’s wife) was working, she always looked in the bag and said “nah, not enough” and then went through the buffet boxing up a little of this and that and putting it in your bag no extra charge. When dining in, Mr. Lee would make the rounds visiting every table and periodically people would be given a coin (it was a 50 cent piece) in a red envelope with instructions to sleep with it under your pillow for good luck. My last time before moving, I remember telling him I was leaving and he gave me one and said if I slept with it for a whole year it would bring my whole new village good luck.

 

[bcla]

i believe McDonalds toys are available for purchase for like $1.95 or something. I remember it was on the screen from the person in front of me at the drive thru the night the new Star Wars toys came out.

It's like any other McDonald's item where the franchise owner sets the individual prices - usually within reason. Back when there was a particular Happy Meal toy that my kid wanted I'd look around. I've actually had a few employees say they'd just give a toy for free if I bought something else.

However, I've seen such wide variation in the prices of Happy Meal toys by themselves that I'm sure there's no guidance from corporate on how much to charge.

 

[shelemm]

Certainly there are many Chinese restaurants that will have menu items written in Chinese on the wall, or special signs at the cash register or even an entirely different menu printed in Chinese. It is very common to begin a meal at a Chinese restaurant with a consultation. Inquiring with the waiter about specials or menu items not on the printed menu, letting the waiter know what you are looking for and the waiter advising.

Where, I live, this is so common as not to be a secret anymore, but a very accepted practice. Many of my favorite Chinese dishes I order off menu.

What others may not realize is that this also goes on at Thai restaurants although it is less recognized as there not as many Thai customers.