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Food quality standards exist for a reason. Not only because you could get really, really sick if you ingest something a sleazy restaurant owner deems edible but it’s actually way past the expiration date, but also because it’s kinda gross. There are more reasons, but you get the point.

Well, whether a restaurant is trying to maximize profits by balancing on the fence between fresh and not-so-fresh food, or it’s straight up company policy to use expired food or to price-gouge its patrons or it’s super unhealthy because the client won’t notice, trying to hide it is nearly impossible because the staff knows, and if they know, everyone else might too.

And now they do, as people on Reddit have been discussing food items that people should absolutely stop ordering from their restaurants because reasons, man.

Scroll your way down to read through the best answers, and while you’re down there, vote and comment on the submissions you enjoyed the most.

More Info: Reddit

#1

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Customer: I'll have a .

Me: I have no idea what that is.

Customer: It's on your secret menu.

Me: We don't have a secret menu.

Customer: But I read online that you have a secret menu.

Me: Don't believe everything you read on the internet

DisastrousContact , Paul Wilkinson Report

#2

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Worked for 8 years at In-n-Out...

If this thread is wanting to expose gross stuff: Nothing. I swear, the quality standard that they have, which became my standard, was nuts. Food quality, cleaning routines, regular inspections. It makes it hard for me to eat anywhere else. 8 years of a free burger every day worked and I still crave them.

But if you want to slow the growth of your gut, cut the shakes. They're real ice cream mix, not a typical watered down shake mix. I actually prefer the watered down taste of a McDonalds or Wendy's shake, but an In-n-Out shake is like eating liquid Ice Cream. You're already getting a burger and fries... skip dessert this time.

jhairehmyah , Mike Carter Report

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Suz66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never have room for a shake after a double double with cheese and fries, protein style!

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#3

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online When you order a pizza, look for the specials.

On Pizza Hut's website, you could order a large pizza with two toppings for $18. But if you go to the "Deals" tab, that same pizza could be had for $8.

They won't apply the discounts for you automatically. Sometimes you gotta look for them.

BabycakesJunior , Martin Lewison Report

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Jackie Nettleton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the same in the UK, when ordering you have to select the deal in a special section for the discount no matter how many times you order from your local store

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#4

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I worked in a local coffee and donut shop and nobody ever cleaned the soda machines. They were so gross the first time I cleaned them. I asked if anyone knew how to do it and nobody knew, nobody had ever done it

lots of people are wondering why there is soda. Because I live in a highly mormon populated area and they can’t drink coffee. And apparently a lot of people like Mountain Dew with their apple fritters. And apparently Mormons can drink Mountain Dew??

kikiorangutan , Brett Levin Report

#5

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Don’t get decaf coffee at Burger King. Maybe this was just the one I worked at, but we didn’t actually brew any decaf. Whenever someone ordered it, my manager would just have me water down the regular coffee

halnation , consigliere ivan Report

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Suz66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so awful! I hope this is an isolated incident and this isn't a widespread problem. Someone who has a heart problem could have major problems drinking caffeine.

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#6

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I worked in several Tim Hortons as a teenager.. The Ice Capp machine never gets cleaned. Never ever.

One of the girls I worked with went into anaphylaxis after making herself an Ice Capp at the end of her shift. She had a severe penicillin allergy.

This was approx. 16yrs ago in a few locations around Southern Ontario. Obviously YMMV depending on when and where you worked, but my experience was that they never got cleaned.

interrobangin_ , Calgary Reviews Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are speaking the truth, I know people who worked at them in Alberta, my ex was from Hamilton ON and said the same thing

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#7

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Dominos worker here. Nothing gross really that we do, but for the love of god stop ordering our bread twists. (Unless you want the cinnamon ones). You can order the Parmesan bread bites. It’s the same amount of dough in total for like 3 bucks cheaper.

feelikekobe , Scott Veg Report

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Yoga Kitty
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But I do not like Parmesan? This is a bit stupid - if it was only about the amount of dough for the money then I would better buy my own flour and bake myself...

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#8

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Worked at Krispy Kreme for 2 years.

Just so you know, the doughnuts are absolutely fresh- brought in twice a day.

Don't order any of the Coffee Bean drinks, though- they never ever change the ice chest.

Doughnuts are most fresh at 6 am and 3 pm; least fresh at 2pm & 10pm

borednangsty , Rachel Bush Report

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Nupraptor
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Brought in" doughnuts doesn't sound "fresh" to me. "Fresh" is made on-site.

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#9

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Not fast food per se but if it’s at Applebee’s it’s been microwaved.

afihavok , pointnshoot Report

#10

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Used to work at Panda Express, no real complaints about the ingredients and food prep, but don't buy any shrimp entrees if you actually want to a full meal. They purposely use a smaller serving spoon to make it appear you're getting a lot of food. I believe it was 6 shrimps per serving max was the the policy.

noodlez5120 , ajay_suresh Report

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Torei Miller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny thing is shrimp is the cheapest meat you can buy, but restaurants have made it prestigious and charge more for it. The profit margins for shrimp are insane.

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#11

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Raisin canes-

Yes everything is made to order. Yes they had insane cleaning standards. Believe me my a** was there cleaning the store till 5 in the morning after 3rd shift.

My go to is box no slaw extra toast. Slaw is good but the toast is where it's at.

PaperyWhistle , Shoshanah Report

#12

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Waffle House cook:

If we are talking health reasons... everything. There is nothing remotely healthy on the menu.

Otherwise I say grits because they can sit for hours and managers will try to keep them looking fresh even though they cost next to nothing to buy.

TCSongun , Steven Miller Report

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Mark Serbian, PK&RG,W
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah ... but my guess is that, at 2am, you don't really care all that much about "healthy", amiright?

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#13

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Used to work as a server at outback.

The bloomin onion costs around 70 cents to make and they sell it for like 8 bucks

TheSilverPotato , Hideyuki KAMON Report

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JayWantsACat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's how markups work. Aside from the fact that the bloomin' onion is relatively labor intensive to make on your own. I'd rather just pay the $8.

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#14

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online The North Atlantic cod fillet from Culvers, it’s not from the North Atlantic, it’s from those s***ty Vietnam fish farm waters

[deleted] , emilee rader Report

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SlothyK8
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is good to know! And they explicitly advertise it as North Atlantic cod in the TV ads, too. Pathetic.

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#15

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Long John Silvers, 2006, baked cod on a bed of rice. We would microwave it in a paper dish.

[deleted] , jeremiah.andrick Report

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#16

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online If you order any of the all day breakfast items at McDonalds after around 1:00, it will most likely be a few hours old.

MonsterNinja8 , inazakira Report

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folga
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm, where I'm at you can't even order breakfast items after 10 AM

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#17

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I worked at Starbucks. Nobody who values their health should order a white mocha anything. That white mocha shit is absurdly unhealthy and disgusting to work with.

majortom12 , Ambernectar 13 Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think any drink in Starbucks is really healthy! The sugar is ridiculous

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#18

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Jack in the Box. I don't know why anyone orders the bacon cheddar potato wedges. It's fake cheese with fake bacon on fried potatoes. I'm trying to remember the ingredient list on the cheese but I distinctly recall nowhere on the packaging did it say it contained dairy. It also smells like feet.

SwordWife , Willis Lam Report

#19

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Worked at an AMC theater for 2 years. Do not buy the coffee unless it's early morning when we first open. Otherwise you're gonna drink coffee that's been sitting out for a solid 5 hours, at least.

cleversystem , Shane Adams Report

#20

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I used to work at Papa Johns.

Everything.

But in particular the f**king garlic knots. Full of f**king salt and dripping with faux butter.

-Poison_Ivy- , Michael Saechang Report

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#21

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Worked at “blue headgehog drive in”. Stop ordering food. No glove or hand washing policy for anyone. Pretty sure I’m the only one who ever did.

tboneotter , USDAgov Report

#22

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Arby's

If you order the secret menu item that shall not be named, not only are you Satan but you are also eating a nasty a** sandwich.

LazyStormie , Mike Mozart Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

arby deli sandwhiches are really good in Canada, I still love the beef and cheese

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#23

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Burgers from Sheetz are microwaved. The grill marks are fake. Bacon is microwaved too.

Also, don't drink the f**king Peanut Butter shakes. One particular peanut butter shake has nearly 2,000 calories in it.

Charbarzz , Peter Stetson Report

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Sandra Givens
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, Sheetz food isn't gourmet, but when you are driving hundreds of miles and need a fill up for car and persons, it can be a lifesaver. My son likes the chicken strips and we both eat the mac and cheese, and we will do a breakfast or lunch sandwich depending upon what time we roll in there. Cold case usually has cheese and fruit.

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#24

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Not technically fast food but don't order room service at small hotels. You're getting charged really high prices for pre-prepared, often times frozen food that is heated up in what is basically a toaster oven.

Cold cut sandwiches are the only real exception. BLT your brains out but don't order the burger.

Shunejii , David Shane Report

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Suz66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, vague and general about all small hotels. Not helpful. Some small hotels have chain coffee shops nextdoor and get food from them. Not fair to generalize

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#25

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Tropical Smoothie Cafe- All of the smoothies, except the detox ones, have SO much sugar in them. You’re not being healthy by going there.

The sugar isn’t just from the fruit. Sugar is added to most smoothies, and they claim it’s good because it’s turbinado. Also: fruit is healthy.

[deleted] , Kzoo Cowboy Report

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Erin E
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only get the detox green! The others taste too good to actually be good for you 😂

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#26

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Sbarro, and while it's all pretty "meh" food for the price, I have to say the spaghetti is probably the worst value. Not because it's particularly bad, but it's just bulk buy spaghetti, too much salt, and some oil for almost as much as any of the other, actually complicated pastas.

Timothyre99 , Renzelle Mae Abasolo Report

#27

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Don't order crab from a Planet Sub in the midwest. This seems like common sense but there is alwats that guy

Lorde_Farquad , internets_dairy Report

#28

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I work at Taco Bell.

Y’all need to stop ordering the rolled chicken tacos. I’m begging you. I’ve tried them, without sauce, and they are 100% flavorless. The flavor comes from whatever shorty side sauce you order.

I can’t believe these are limited time offer. They’re garbage, everyone I work with agrees but they’re so overwhelmingly popular for some reason

praedeth , bob walker Report

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Suz66
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So basically they don't like them so you shouldn't order them?? Doesn't say anything is wrong with them. I love them dipped in guac and/or sour cream.

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#29

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online Sonic - small sonic blasts. They break the cup every time

jackson9921 , Shoshanah Report

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Alphabet Soupy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That has nothing to do with customers ordering them, or their nutritional value, that’s the cheap cups they use.

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#30

30 Dishes People Should Stop Ordering As Revealed By Fast Food Workers Online I swear to god if one person says a McChicken I will jump out my bedroom window.

kfruityattacky , Yun Huang Yong Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is not a mcchicken, a real mcchicken looks like a large really bad nugget

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