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30 People Who Got Some Of The Most Ridiculous Food Servings In The Restaurant Business (New Pics)
We Want Plates is a community of both regular people and dedicated foodies who are joining their forces to make restaurants serve food on actual plates, not on bits of wood and roof tiles. To do so, they are shaming all the ridiculous food presentations they are receiving online, and their crusade has made them quite famous.
Founded in 2015 by Ross McGinnes, We Want Plates already has 157K followers on Twitter, 100K on Facebook, and 30K on Instagram. However, the biggest unit of their army is located on Reddit — over 650K troops. I think it's safe to say that the growth of the project is a pretty good indication that restaurants should think twice before serving cured meat on a bone or pouring a cocktail into a baby bottle. At least I hope so.
More info: wewantplates.com | Facebook | Instagram |Twitter | Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
“Our Environmentally Friendly Tempura Is Made With Sustainable Seafood And Vegetables, Harvested In Ways That Consider The Long-Term Well-Being Of Our Precious Land And Oceans.”“Wonderful! How’s It Served?”“On A Large Polystyrene Block.”
Linda Williams 4 years ago
And it's not even a nice looking block. Just like something they took out of the trash.
Aisling Badsha 4 years ago
Looks like the lid off the boxes broccoli comes in in restaurants. I think the whole point here was missed, unfortunately how supplies come to you can't always be helped but I think they are trying to be even more sustainable by using waste packaging. Looks awful but I can see what they were trying to do
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Amy Smith 4 years ago
Wasteful and unappealing looking... looks like deep fried Budgie on sticks
Leonel Roque 4 years ago (edited)
I laughed so hard at this!! But look like deep fried tires too!
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Dee Pond 4 years ago
If this was packing material from say, when the restaurant got the dishes in the mail, this might actually be quite environmentally healthy. To say nothing for visual taste...
Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago
Environmentally healthy ? Look what the polystyrene did to those things on a stick!
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⭐Onyx (they/them)⭐ 4 years ago
So when I was in Hawaii I went to this place where they had pineapple fried rice served in a pineapple, and it was actually amazing
Lanie 4 years ago
Or in coconut, watermelon, and in any fruit that has a crust that can be used as a bowl. It usually looks beautiful and is served with the appropriate type of food.
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Bender Bending Rodríguez 4 years ago
If it didn't say in title, I'd have guessed those are cocoons.
Rowlie 4 years ago
It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid
Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago
A statement or idiotic scream served on foam?
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DetongLhamo 4 years ago
Well...it is recycling, technically. Odd as hell but at least it’s being used one more time at the least.
Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago
Use polystyrene to make a toy boat , space filler for snug fit, to raise the level of leg on unlevel table, make cute floating bath tub toys. Anything that isn't near food.
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Aliquid A 4 years ago
They are reusing the polystyrene block rather than throwing it away. "reduce, reuse, recycle"
Rohan Frank Moran 3 years ago
I mean at this level it would be highly plausible for this to be done intentionally...what is more ironic than serving sustainable seafood on the very thing that is causing it to become unsustainable?
Rohan Frank Moran 3 years ago
I mean...the irony may well be intentional at that level...just saying. It would be very apt to serve sustainable seafood on the very thing that is killing sealife for ironic purposes
Dorothy Cloud 4 years ago
I'm sure they were charged a bundle for something stuck into used polystyrene.
PiscesMama 4 years ago
I would imagine it’s used to deliver the seafood to the restaurant so they are reusing it ...if not, well, that’s a new low for the human race.
Steve Barnett 4 years ago
Extremely inappropriate considering that polystyrene is a major fire hazard.
RELATED:
#2
Cocktail Bathtub Complete With Rubber Ducky
#3
“Here’s Your Beef Wellington Starter. Is There Anything Else I Can Get You?”“Tetanus Shot, Please.”
#4
Caesar Salad Or Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
So a caesar salad is lettuce, 2 crusty pieces of bread and sauce.
#5
"Waiter, I Prefer My Pie To Be At Least 9 Inches Off The Table"
#6
The Chips Come In A Rock
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
Coz nothing says fancy like 2 chips randomly placed on a rock.
#8
This Is A Take Out Dish - Diners Were Instructed To Plate Like This At Home. Part Of A $115 Tasting Menu
#9
Turns Out The Best Plates Are At Arm's Reach
#11
Please Take A Charcuterie And Have A Seat
Natalie Bohrteller 4 years ago
That's not even too bad with the paper. Weird yes, but looks hygienic.
#12
Yes, I Would Like Your "Mini Corn Dogs On A Ceramic Decorative Pillow" Please
Nadine Debard 4 years ago
Looks like someone has ripped open the poor pillow, showing its bowel...
#13
Venison Cubes On A Deer Antler (Was Actually Incredible)
#15
This? Oh, It's Just An Orthodontic Mould Of The Restaurant-Owner's Mouth From Barcelona
#17
Repeat After Me, Hub Caps Are Not Plates
#18
Chocolate "Horse Turd" Truffles On A Manure Fork. Just No
#19
My Cocktail Was Caged Because What If It Flies Away
Eva the Egg 4 years ago
Ah yes, my cocktail flies away pretty often too. I should get a cage like that 9_9
#20
Nachos On A Rusty Bin Lid
#21
Beignets Growing On A Tree
#22
Found On Yelp & Now I Don’t Want To Stay At This Hotel Anymore
#23
What A Time To Be Alive
#24
Full Breakfast In A Jar
#25
Please Stop
#26
My Cocktail Came In A Box
Ruth Peacock 4 years ago
This is the traditional way to drink Sake. Maybe they're going for a fusion thing. It is a silly thing to do for many drinks, but if woodiness is part of the flavour, it's a great option.
#27
Syphon Tower Of Onion Rings
#28
Fish And Chips On Paper
#29
Charcoal Waffle Eggs Benedict On A Shovel In Barcelona
#30
This Is Not How I Want My Biriyani To Be Served!
#31
Charcuterie, Anyone?
#32
“Siri, It’s International Gin And Tonic Day. Show Me The Worst Ways Gin And Tonic Has Ever Been Served.”
JennyLaRue 4 years ago
Oh I've been here and I was so confused as to why anyone thought putting a glass in a shoe would enhance the experience.
#33
From A Restaurant In Munich, Germany
#34
Blood Pancakes In A Mask...
SunofSpringtime 4 years ago
Because this world needs more trash? It infuriates me that they're throwing away perfectly good masks.
#35
“Chef, I’ve Defrosted The Freezer And Put Out The Recycling.”“That’s It!”“Chef?”“I’ve Had An Idea For The Red Bull Sorbet.”
#36
Served In An Ashtray
#37
"Would You Like Some Bread While You Wait?""I'm Forty-Eight Years Old."
#38
Nothing Says Love Like This Hogs And Kisses Bouquet!
troufaki13 4 years ago
I prefer food to cut flowers. I also prefer plants and flowers in a pot that will last longer with proper care.
#39
Parsnip, Sprout And Swede Wellington, Served On An Afro Comb. As You Do
#40
“Sausage And Mash, Please.”“Pint?”“Just A Half, I’m Driving.”
#41
At A 2 Michelin Starred Restaurant
#42
This Pizza Being Served On A Slice Of Tree
#43
Whats Up With All Of This Food On Your Hand Trend?
#44
My Friend Sent This To Put On Reddit, Located In Indonesia
#46
Eat From Hollowed Out Wood
#47
Served On A Moose Antler
#48
Jimmy Mac's Campfire Chicken Sandwich On A Hubcap. Complimentary Chefs Hair Under The Chicken
#49
I Didn’t Get A Plate But At Least My Steak Will Be Vaccinated
#50
Casual Shovel Dinner
#51
Found This Gem On Facebook
SunofSpringtime 4 years ago
This is definitely smarter than most of the others. Using glass bottles that otherwise will be thrown out to landfill. Some companies clean and reshaped glass bottles to be used as plates, drinking glass or coaster (one of them is instagram.com/ffrash_designs > they're now closed tho).
#52
Technically There Is A Plate...
Michael Sanders 4 years ago (edited)
Excuse me sir I don’t have a napkin. It’s right there. Here? Yeah there. You mean the napkin with a piece of food already sitting on it? Yes. Heard.
#53
Restaurant In My Area Serving Food In Lunch Boxes
#54
My Seaweed Salad Is Apparently A Cocktail Now
#55
Cocktails In The Wild... Manhattan Served On A Rock With A Side Of Dirt And Pine Cone
#56
Three Small Plates Pls
#57
Want A Fishbowl Cocktail But Still Remain Classy? I Present To You, Suitcasebowl
M O'Connell 4 years ago
The "suitcase" is probably filled with ice to keep it at the proper serving temperature, which is why it's in a steam table pan.
#58
Fancy Chicken Tendies
#59
How About A Refreshing Cup Of Caesar?
#60
All Day Breakfast Served On A Tile, And Soup In A Mug
#61
My Smoked Tuna Tataki Came In A Jar
#62
Tacos On A Log
#63
Steak Which You Cook On A Concrete Brick
#64
I Wouldn’t Even Want To Reach The Fried Rice At That Point
#65
Onion Soup In An Onion Bowl
#66
That Is Butter On A Rock. Why?
#67
A Brownie In A Tiny Jar
Add New Image
What do you think ?
troufaki13 4 years ago
If any restaurant owner / chef is here, I have an idea to serve food. Off the floor. Hear me out. There's no need for tables and chairs, people will be sitting on the floor, maybe on a cushion. It's cozy and homey. Then you take the food and throw it on the floor and people will eat it using their hands (the 5 sec rule obviously doesn't apply - you can take your sweet time). So no need for plates and cutlery, which means no need for dishwashing!! For liquids, you just make your hands like a cup and the waiter serves your beverage there. Awesome and progressive, right? Right??
Vicky Z 4 years ago
Sarcasm is really underrated! I laughed a lot with your comment!
Load More Replies...
Filipe Vieira 4 years ago
My main concern with this pretentious presentations is the hygiene. Pretty sure that certain objects are not as easily washable as normal dishes.
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
I believe in most cases, they are ALL single-use. Our urban elites pay indulgences to their phony environmentalist gods, but live like disgusting, planet-killing slobs.
Load More Replies...
Eslamala 4 years ago
As a chef, I can honestly say some of these are standard plating in a lot of places, but most are just pretentious and ridiculous hipster trends that serve no purpose to the food nor to the client. There's a fine line between being creative and being stupid.
marianne eliza 4 years ago
Whenever I see plating theatrics like this, I firmly believe they are trying to distract you from something not good. Flavors, prices?
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
The worst part of most of these is that the "plates" they're using aren't made of food-grade materials. I don't want to eat from a wooden board that someone else has eaten from. And I don't want to eat from a shovel or hubcap at ALL.
Ruth Farcas 4 years ago
I did think the fish and chips on a sheet of paper would work, though. After all, that is a traditional way to serve them (wrapped, though), and the paper gets thrown away or perhaps tossed on a fire afterwards, so this is hygienic and allows for a normal-sized meal.
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
I wish they would have included prices. I'd like to see if I could be even more incredulous.
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago
I just gotta say: I'm sure the dishwashers in these restaurants hate their bosses.
Pervinca 4 years ago
It's totally ok to be creative, and if the guests of these place like the trash looks of these plates I'm fine. But are all of these things hygienic and not toxic? There is a reason if some things are not usually used as plates or pots, some materials are not suitable to contain food.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
All those crazy ideas might be "innovating" but if my food is served on a towel, a piece of paper, a rusty bin lid or a hub cap they found on the roadside, I'm walking out without paying.
Katinka Min 4 years ago
All of these are just gross and unhygienic. What is wrong with your food that it needs this stupid presentations?
Roberto Durante 4 years ago
this "culinaire progressive" restaurants can existe because of the snobisme of "nouveau rich" without any education education and totally tasteless like drinking champagne in a plastic cup at the vernissage of fake artists like M.A.
Geoff Giles 4 years ago
great work overall, but the autorun ads overheat my computer, could you please stop them?
Ruth Farcas 4 years ago
Most of these are a great way to get guests to pay a lot for almost microscopic portions! aka a ripoff.
Jeff Diamond 4 years ago
These were all probably meant to be "artistic," or "fancy." They actually look "stupid" and "gross."
Michelle Muirhead 4 years ago
Oh my God! What a bunch of tossers! I bet they charge ridiculous amounts of money for their disgusting messes!
Rose the Cook 4 years ago
With so many people photographing their food you have to do something to get your place free publicity.
Random Anon 4 years ago
At the risk of sounding like a philistine, I really don't see the point in food served this way. It's artsy-fartsy yes but so impractical. Unless these things are merely meant to be seen and not eaten.
Noel Benavente 4 years ago
So conceptual "art" has its version on cuisine... go figure. caballos-6...6f1ddd.jpg 
beckster308 4 years ago
These remind me of that scene in Grandma's Boy where they go to the vegan restaurant.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
By the end, the comments were along the lines of, "It's not so bad." I think our brains were taken hostage by the first few pictures.
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
There used to be a chrome-and-auto themed bar around here with a non-sequitur idea for getting and paying your tabs: There was a four-inch wide stream of water just inside the bar rail that gently flowed by you as you sat. You could launch those little plastic, rectangular dishes you get your bill in and send your payment off to the bartender like a little boat. I loved it. I'm a little weird, though... I like flowing water so much that when I was a kid I used to watch the water that ran off driveways as they were cleaned form streams like microcosmic rivers. Besides minor mishaps, I'm not sure WHAT was wrong with this (the flow prevented algae, for instance), but I'm sure something was.
Carol Emory 4 years ago
This is basically and advertisement of "Our food really sucks, so we have to get you in using gimmicks that may distract you long enough to not realize that we're charging you way too much for this slop."
Cenk Karaferya 4 years ago
I'm sure those all taste crap. What lacks in taste usually also fails in presentation.
Kiem Gallagher 4 years ago
I'm quite sure the majority of those are not food grade, meaning it's not safe to put food on them or eat off them... who is supervising these establishments because I'm sure using serveware that isn't food grade is a no-no.
Natalie Oleander 4 years ago
If anywhere served me food on anything but a plate, I'd walk out. NASTY
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
So many of these are so terribly unhygienic that the trend MUST be conspicuous waste: objects like concrete blocks, logs, etc., that can't possibly be used more than once without visibly being contaminated. So keep in mind when you see the wealthiest areas of America (or... what's up Barcelona?) vote 99% Democrat (Lower Manhattan, San Francisco, D.C., Loop Chicago, even downtown Houston) how hypocritical these elites are. These places don't cater to some conservative minority; they're the trendy locales of the dominant culture. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME: Ad hominem is a fallacy! Their hypocrisy doesn't mean conservation isn't needed. It just means we shouldn't follow the elites in how to be conservationists! LIVE SIMPLY. Simply means cheaply.
troufaki13 4 years ago
If any restaurant owner / chef is here, I have an idea to serve food. Off the floor. Hear me out. There's no need for tables and chairs, people will be sitting on the floor, maybe on a cushion. It's cozy and homey. Then you take the food and throw it on the floor and people will eat it using their hands (the 5 sec rule obviously doesn't apply - you can take your sweet time). So no need for plates and cutlery, which means no need for dishwashing!! For liquids, you just make your hands like a cup and the waiter serves your beverage there. Awesome and progressive, right? Right??
Vicky Z 4 years ago
Sarcasm is really underrated! I laughed a lot with your comment!
Load More Replies... Filipe Vieira 4 years ago
My main concern with this pretentious presentations is the hygiene. Pretty sure that certain objects are not as easily washable as normal dishes.
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
I believe in most cases, they are ALL single-use. Our urban elites pay indulgences to their phony environmentalist gods, but live like disgusting, planet-killing slobs.
Load More Replies... Eslamala 4 years ago
As a chef, I can honestly say some of these are standard plating in a lot of places, but most are just pretentious and ridiculous hipster trends that serve no purpose to the food nor to the client. There's a fine line between being creative and being stupid.
marianne eliza 4 years ago
Whenever I see plating theatrics like this, I firmly believe they are trying to distract you from something not good. Flavors, prices?
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
The worst part of most of these is that the "plates" they're using aren't made of food-grade materials. I don't want to eat from a wooden board that someone else has eaten from. And I don't want to eat from a shovel or hubcap at ALL.
Ruth Farcas 4 years ago
I did think the fish and chips on a sheet of paper would work, though. After all, that is a traditional way to serve them (wrapped, though), and the paper gets thrown away or perhaps tossed on a fire afterwards, so this is hygienic and allows for a normal-sized meal.
Kenny Kulbiski 4 years ago
I wish they would have included prices. I'd like to see if I could be even more incredulous.
Thorfin Wolfsbane 4 years ago
I just gotta say: I'm sure the dishwashers in these restaurants hate their bosses.
Pervinca 4 years ago
It's totally ok to be creative, and if the guests of these place like the trash looks of these plates I'm fine. But are all of these things hygienic and not toxic? There is a reason if some things are not usually used as plates or pots, some materials are not suitable to contain food.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
All those crazy ideas might be "innovating" but if my food is served on a towel, a piece of paper, a rusty bin lid or a hub cap they found on the roadside, I'm walking out without paying.
Katinka Min 4 years ago
All of these are just gross and unhygienic. What is wrong with your food that it needs this stupid presentations?
Roberto Durante 4 years ago
this "culinaire progressive" restaurants can existe because of the snobisme of "nouveau rich" without any education education and totally tasteless like drinking champagne in a plastic cup at the vernissage of fake artists like M.A.
Geoff Giles 4 years ago
great work overall, but the autorun ads overheat my computer, could you please stop them?
Ruth Farcas 4 years ago
Most of these are a great way to get guests to pay a lot for almost microscopic portions! aka a ripoff.
Jeff Diamond 4 years ago
These were all probably meant to be "artistic," or "fancy." They actually look "stupid" and "gross."
Michelle Muirhead 4 years ago
Oh my God! What a bunch of tossers! I bet they charge ridiculous amounts of money for their disgusting messes!
Rose the Cook 4 years ago
With so many people photographing their food you have to do something to get your place free publicity.
Random Anon 4 years ago
At the risk of sounding like a philistine, I really don't see the point in food served this way. It's artsy-fartsy yes but so impractical. Unless these things are merely meant to be seen and not eaten.
Noel Benavente 4 years ago
So conceptual "art" has its version on cuisine... go figure. caballos-6...6f1ddd.jpg
beckster308 4 years ago
These remind me of that scene in Grandma's Boy where they go to the vegan restaurant.
Easily Excitable Panda 4 years ago
By the end, the comments were along the lines of, "It's not so bad." I think our brains were taken hostage by the first few pictures.
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
There used to be a chrome-and-auto themed bar around here with a non-sequitur idea for getting and paying your tabs: There was a four-inch wide stream of water just inside the bar rail that gently flowed by you as you sat. You could launch those little plastic, rectangular dishes you get your bill in and send your payment off to the bartender like a little boat. I loved it. I'm a little weird, though... I like flowing water so much that when I was a kid I used to watch the water that ran off driveways as they were cleaned form streams like microcosmic rivers. Besides minor mishaps, I'm not sure WHAT was wrong with this (the flow prevented algae, for instance), but I'm sure something was.
Carol Emory 4 years ago
This is basically and advertisement of "Our food really sucks, so we have to get you in using gimmicks that may distract you long enough to not realize that we're charging you way too much for this slop."
Cenk Karaferya 4 years ago
I'm sure those all taste crap. What lacks in taste usually also fails in presentation.
Kiem Gallagher 4 years ago
I'm quite sure the majority of those are not food grade, meaning it's not safe to put food on them or eat off them... who is supervising these establishments because I'm sure using serveware that isn't food grade is a no-no.
Natalie Oleander 4 years ago
If anywhere served me food on anything but a plate, I'd walk out. NASTY
Daniel Marsh 4 years ago
So many of these are so terribly unhygienic that the trend MUST be conspicuous waste: objects like concrete blocks, logs, etc., that can't possibly be used more than once without visibly being contaminated. So keep in mind when you see the wealthiest areas of America (or... what's up Barcelona?) vote 99% Democrat (Lower Manhattan, San Francisco, D.C., Loop Chicago, even downtown Houston) how hypocritical these elites are. These places don't cater to some conservative minority; they're the trendy locales of the dominant culture. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME: Ad hominem is a fallacy! Their hypocrisy doesn't mean conservation isn't needed. It just means we shouldn't follow the elites in how to be conservationists! LIVE SIMPLY. Simply means cheaply.
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