Ordering from a "secret menu"

[starvenger]

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

Chinese is pretty hard, to be honest. As my parents were Hong Kongers, I grew up speaking Cantonese and my mother-in-law doesn't speak English very well so I've been able to keep up. I've tried to learn Mandarin but its tough.

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.

Yes, there are plenty of restaurants that do that. it's a good idea as anyone can ask about it, whether they can read or not.

The thing with Chinese-American restaurants is that they need to cater to the greatest common denominator, and that usually isn't the "authentic" stuff. It's not that they can't cook it, it's just that it won't sell as well.

 

[bcla]

Yes, there are plenty of restaurants that do that. it's a good idea as anyone can ask about it, whether they can read or not.

The thing with Chinese-American restaurants is that they need to cater to the greatest common denominator, and that usually isn't the "authentic" stuff. It's not that they can't cook it, it's just that it won't sell as well.

Depends. I remember a Chinese friend told me about an experience at a Chinese restaurant she found in some small town during a road trip. The owner was from Taiwan and all of his employees were native Chinese speakers. The regular dining room wasn't really his big moneymaker, but rather their banquet room in the back that catered to large groups of ethnic Chinese tourists visiting a nearby national park. They'd bring a bus or two at a time and a lot of things would be prepared well ahead of time like it was for a party.

He came out and had a nice conversation with my friend - paying a lot of attention because he would get few Chinese customers in the main dining room. He made some recommendations and even gave my friend some cold noodles for free, which were really only prepared for everyone working there. She said that was very good. The other thing she noticed was that she overheard him going into the kitchen and telling the cook that this was for Chinese customers and they needed to use less oil and salt.

 

[bcla]

House of Nanking in SF?

Revisiting an old thread (came up in a search) but it was Fang Restaurant on Mission Street in San Francisco. And yes Peter Fang is the same guy at House of Nanking. I think I mentioned it a few years ago.

 

[Skywalker]

Even though its an old thread...mine I am not sure if it counts as a secret menu, more like a code word lol.

When I was in University, the liquor laws in my area at that time was alcohol had to stop being served in bars/restaurants at 1:00 a.m. (of course, we were often just getting going at that time). There was a restaurant in Chinatown that was open 24 hours as a buffet, and if you went in there after 1:00 a.m. and ordered a "black tea" (wink, wink) he would set you up. Served in a big mug of course so as to look as legit as possible.

Bonus: no I.D. required.

 

[lucas]

Don't know if this is a secret or if they even do it any more. But, I remember years ago you could order a Burger King fish sandwich and ask them to make like a Whopper. I guess that includes tomatoes, ketchup - and I am not sure what else.

 

[AustinTink]

Revisiting an old thread (came up in a search) but it was Fang Restaurant on Mission Street in San Francisco. And yes Peter Fang is the same guy at House of Nanking. I think I mentioned it a few years ago.

I've read about Fang. His daughter's restaurant, I thought. Will check it out if we ever get back to SF.

 

[starvenger]

Even though its an old thread...mine I am not sure if it counts as a secret menu, more like a code word lol.

When I was in University, the liquor laws in my area at that time was alcohol had to stop being served in bars/restaurants at 1:00 a.m. (of course, we were often just getting going at that time). There was a restaurant in Chinatown that was open 24 hours as a buffet, and if you went in there after 1:00 a.m. and ordered a "black tea" (wink, wink) he would set you up. Served in a big mug of course so as to look as legit as possible.

Bonus: no I.D. required.

Cold tea is another code word I've heard used in the past.

 

[bcla]

Don't know if this is a secret or if they even do it any more. But, I remember years ago you could order a Burger King fish sandwich and ask them to make like a Whopper. I guess that includes tomatoes, ketchup - and I am not sure what else.

You can do that now. Heck customization is available when order by internet or in their app. They always took special orders.

Or this:

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Heck, I’m lucky to order off any menu. We very rarely go or order out for dinner. I’ve been cooking dinner practically 365 days a year for the past 40 years. When I say cooking dinner I mean a full dinner, protein, starch and vegetable. Picture dinner in the 50’s. Plus washing all the pots and pans cause I’ve never had a dishwasher. Ugh!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

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’s true identity:


***************
A secret menu, as in one only known to the “special” customers? No, I’ve never ordered anything like that.

Being vegan means I’ve done a lot of modifying and piecemealing dishes together from ingredients on the menu, up to and including telling them “Just make whatever you want. If it’s vegan, put it on a plate and I’ll eat it.” The latter most often happens while traveling abroad, especially in places where I don’t speak the language. Not gonna lie, those are usually the meals that end up ranking in the best-meals-of-my-life category.

I can only think of one instance where I continued to order something after it had been discontinued and that was a non-alcoholic drink called the Bora Bora Brew from Friday’s when I was under 21. Whether I could get it depended on if the bartender that shift could remember what ingredients went into it. Once I turned 21, well, I moved onto bigger and better things and that was the end of the Bora Bora Brew.

 

[bcla]

Bcla’s true identity:
View attachment 600858

I feel fortunate that I can still see my toes at my age. It's certainly not because I've eaten a superb diet, but then again I enjoy everything in moderation.

And I don't know the first thing about playing bagpipes.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Bcla’s true identity:
View attachment 600858

***************
A secret menu, as in one only known to the “special” customers? No, I’ve never ordered anything like that.

Being vegan means I’ve done a lot of modifying and piecemealing dishes together from ingredients on the menu, up to and including telling them “Just make whatever you want. If it’s vegan, put it on a plate and I’ll eat it.” The latter most often happens while traveling abroad, especially in places where I don’t speak the language. Not gonna lie, those are usually the meals that end up ranking in the best-meals-of-my-life category.

I can only think of one instance where I continued to order something after it had been discontinued and that was a non-alcoholic drink called the Bora Bora Brew from Friday’s when I was under 21. Whether I could get it depended on if the bartender that shift could remember what ingredients went into it. Once I turned 21, well, I moved onto bigger and better things and that was the end of the Bora Bora Brew.

Well, that's not exactly how I pictured BCLA. But I will now...

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I feel fortunate that I can still see my toes at my age. It's certainly not because I've eaten a superb diet, but then again I enjoy everything in moderation.

And I don't know the first thing about playing bagpipes.

My first choice meme would’ve been the guy who sang the original Chili’s commercial, but since I couldn’t find that, Austin Powers reference it is. Lol.

 

[bcla]

My first choice meme would’ve been the guy who sang the original Chili’s commercial, but since I couldn’t find that, Austin Powers reference it is. Lol.

Don't look anything like them (hint hint).

Don't look like these guys either:

Not like these guys either, although I'm about Justin Timberlake's height and build:

Oh my God, they killed Joey!

You bastards!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Don't look anything like them (hint hint).

Don't look like these guys either:

Not like these guys either, although I'm about Justin Timberlake's height and build:

Oh my God, they killed Joey!

You bastards!

It had nothing to do with your looks, but was about your love for Chili’s baby back ribs!

 

[bcla]

It had nothing to do with your looks, but was about your love for Chili’s baby back ribs!

You're not going to let me compare myself to Justin Timberlake?

 

[TipsyTraveler]

You're not going to let me compare myself to Justin Timberlake?

Sure, if it makes you feel better about being a weird looking bear/koala hybrid in a yellow shirt. (Assuming that’s you in your avatar?)

 

[bcla]

Sure, if it makes you feel better about being a weird looking bear/koala hybrid in a yellow shirt. (Assuming that’s you in your avatar?)

Enjoys felling trees.

 

[mrodgers]

I don't know of any secret menus or anything, but the mention of ribs left me with my thoughts on restaurants. How do they get away with giving you only a couple ribs when you order half a rack? Where are they getting these reduced racks? A single rack of ribs feeds the 4 of us when I smoke them, how do you get 4 or 5 ribs in a half a rack?

 

[bcla]

I don't know of any secret menus or anything, but the mention of ribs left me with my thoughts on restaurants. How do they get away with giving you only a couple ribs when you order half a rack? Where are they getting these reduced racks? A single rack of ribs feeds the 4 of us when I smoke them, how do you get 4 or 5 ribs in a half a rack?

This is a half rack. I expect anywhere from 5 to 7 bones.

I heard that these were originally imported from Denmark fairly cheap, where their primary product was canned ham. They might need to import pork, where the cut includes these smaller rib portions.