Sometimes, restaurants specializing in a particular type of food don’t actually serve the best versions of those dishes in the area. Whether it’s a beef burger or a savory pie, other establishments may boast superior ingredients, a strong kitchen team, or a chef whose technique elevates the cooking process. Here are some restaurant dishes that are actually better at places that don’t specialize in them!
Burgers at Steakhouses
Burgers may well be a standout among restaurant dishes at steakhouses, sometimes even surpassing places that specialize in them, because steakhouses have access to high-quality beef and know exactly how to cook it properly. In fact, some of these establishments grind premium steak trimmings into their burger meat, resulting in a richer blend for the patty. If flavor is your priority, you might want to opt for a simple burger with minimal toppings rather than a novelty stack.
French Fries at Steakhouses
French fries are another standout among restaurant dishes at steakhouses. Many steakhouses take the preparation of this side dish seriously, treating it as more than just an afterthought. These establishments often feature thicker cuts, beef fat, a double-frying process, and more careful seasoning. Diners should look for steak fries, pommes frites, or hand-cut fries.
Pies at Diners
When you want pie, go to a diner and order a fruit pie, a cream pie, or whatever the server says comes out fastest. These restaurant dishes can benefit from the diner’s long association with classic comfort food and pie. Plus, the high turnover at these places means the slices could be fresher than desserts that sit unordered in a standard restaurant. Also, the powerful mix of nostalgia, practical storage, and the classic pairing with the diner coffee gives the pies a better sensation at these traditional places.
Fried Chicken at Diners
Diners often serve excellent fried chicken thanks to the frying expertise of their kitchen staff, a factor that matters far more than the chicken’s branding. Restaurant dishes like fried chicken can benefit from kitchens that regularly handle fryers, given the breakfast meats, gravies, and comfort food they serve. Ultimately, you should look for a place where the chicken is a recurring special rather than just a random menu item.
Breakfast Sandwiches at Bakeries
Breakfast sandwiches and other restaurant dishes tend to work especially well at diners, where bread is an important part of the meal. These establishments can have an advantage when it comes to serving bread alongside sandwiches and other comfort foods. You should keep the fillings simple so you can actually taste the bread, beyond just the egg and cheese that might be included in the sandwich.
Trending on Cheapism
Sandwiches at Italian Markets
Italian markets offer high-quality cured meats, cheeses, bread, olive oil, and peppers, resulting in sandwiches that can rival restaurant dishes found elsewhere. Since the sandwich is a natural extension of the deli counter, look for quality ingredients like prosciutto, mortadella, capicola, fresh mozzarella, or house-roasted peppers. These ingredients play a pivotal role in these sandwiches.
Fries at Seafood Shacks
In establishments with high fish turnover, fries may be prepared more frequently, making them appealing restaurant dishes to order alongside seafood. The freshness of the frying oil, however, depends on how the restaurant manages and replaces it. You should look for places where seafood is the main attraction, such as seafood shacks, since dishes like fried cod, shrimp, or clams are typically served with fries.
Biscuits at Barbecue Restaurants
One of the best places to order biscuits is at a barbecue restaurant, where restaurant dishes often include slow-cooked neats, rendered fats, and rich comfort-food sides, all of which pair perfectly with a good biscuit. If you are looking for house-made biscuits served with brisket, pulled pork, honey butter, or sausage gravy, you’ve come to the right place.
Sign up for our newsletter
Cheesecake at Jewish Delis
New York-style cheesecake has long been associated with classic New York deli culture, making it one of the most recognizable restaurant dishes in the city’s dessert tradition. Skip the complicated toppings and opt for plain cheesecake, and you’ll be sure to find a great spot to enjoy it. Jewish immigrants and restaurateurs, most notably Arnold Reuben of ‘Reuben’s Restaurant’, pioneered the modern, ultra-rich cream cheese-based style during the 1930s.
Pancakes at Old-School Diners
One of the best places to order pancakes is at an old-school diner, rather than seeking out a specialty spot. Diners cook up large quantities of breakfast food on seasoned flat-top griddles every morning, so they know how to achieve the right consistency and the flavor customers crave. Look for ‘short stacks’ with crisp edges and soft centers, the qualities that turn an ordinary pancake into a great one.
Mac and Cheese at Barbecue Joints
Barbecue joints can be some of the best places to order mac and cheese, as these restaurant dishes are often treated as core menu items rather than just a vegetarian option. At these spots, the mac and cheese tends to be richer and cheesier, and is prepared in larger batches. If you see a dish with a browned top or extra cheese mixed in, that’s a good sign that the place is worth a visit.
Chocolate Cake at Steakhouses
Another area where steakhouses excel is chocolate cake. This is because steakhouses tend to focus on large, old-school desserts meant for sharing, and chocolate cakes, such as layer cakes and flourless chocolate desserts, fit that style perfectly. Among restaurant dishes, desserts can naturally stand out when the entire meal is designed to be an indulgent feast.
Conclusion
One reason these places can excel with familiar restaurant dishes is that they may have an advantage in the ingredients or cooking techniques used for a particular dish, which elevates the quality of the food. This is why the best version of a familiar dish sometimes comes from a place that simply has the right tools, even if that particular dish isn’t the restaurant’s main focus.
