For most of us, going out to eat is a treat because it means we don't have to worry about cooking for ourselves. It's also an exciting opportunity to go out of your comfort zone and try something new. But, most chefs say that customers need to be wary of certain dishes when they're out to eat -- especially if they're going to order something with chicken in it...
[Photos: Shutterstock]
Chicken dishes are incredibly easy to come by at restaurants, but it's one of the proteins that chefs always avoid when they're dining out. "I will order almost anything when I go out—but never chicken because it tends to be overcooked at most restaurants," says executive chef Ryan Ososky, according to Reader's Digest.
The popular poultry item also made the Food Network's list of foods that shouldn't be ordered at restaurants, according to chefs. The culinary experts say that the chicken is never worth it because the dishes it's included in are always lacking in originality and taste. They also noted that chicken dishes are often overpriced, too!
As for chef Tadaaki Ishizaki of Salt and Charcoal in Brooklyn, NY, he doesn't like to order chicken because of all of the "hormones and antibiotics" that are in the meat. "The amount of chemicals in chicken just personally scares me," Ishizaki said, according to Salon.com. “If the menu doesn't list the provenance of a chicken, don't order it unless you want a plate full of hormones and antibiotics."
So, what's the one chicken dish that chefs never, ever order at restaurants? Chef Phil Pretty says that it's chicken parmesean. “I would never, ever order chicken parmesan," Pretty said, according to Salon.com. “It's always frozen before cooked and tastes like a gross version of chicken nuggets."
Wow, good to know! We'll definitely take these tips into consideration the next time we're going to order chicken from a restaurant.
What are some of the foods that you always avoid when you're eating at restaurants? Let us know your tips in the comments below!