Restaurant ordering - Asking for the waiter or cook to recommend - A way to get something very good or something they ha

[Dennis S]

Or something about to get old. I guess it works both ways.

[Sarcany]

Chef's specials are usually a way to dump leftovers.

Which is not to say that they won't be very good.

But often, the ingredients are not so fresh.

[Acer]

I get the sense they have a personal pat answer, but that does not mean it's not going to be a good choice.

[Carm]

What Doc said. I do ask for recommendations from waiters when I can’t decide between two dishes.

[NewtonMP2100]

....they try to push certain dishes.....

[Dennis S]

When I used to sell small items in person, as a joke I would sometimes pick up the desired product and say, "This is what everybody's buying now," and "blow the dust off it" real hard.

[SteveG]

what's a restaurant?

[DinerDave]

We have achieved "regular status" at a couple of our favorite restaurants, and we trust the waitstaff that knows what we like to make recommendations. Usually we will ask how some special was. We know who will give the honest, it's great others have said it's to die for, or I had a bite earlier and it was wonderful. These same trusted W/W will also say, not the chef's best effort, or whatever also.
When they know that you tip well, they take better care of you.

Dave

[anonymouse1]

I often ask "What do a lot of people say they like?" and "What's your favorite?" Not foolproof, but it often works.

[btfc]

Depends on the waiter and restaurant, some might push certain items for financial reasons, but if you are nice and take care of them, usually they will take care of you; partly for the tip, and partly because happy customers are just nicer to work with.