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When you don’t have any expectations, you can’t get disappointed. But when there’s an advertisement for a delicious meal shoved right up in your face but you get served a big pile of cheap-looking cooking, you can’t help but get angry.

Nobody expects picture-perfect food at restaurants. However, some of these meals are so incomparable to their ads, Bored Panda just had to show you side-by-side examples. Check them out below, upvote the most egregious cuisine lies, and let us know about the times when a restaurant has made you swear like a souped-up version of Gordon Ramsay.

We’re not talking just about fast food here. Restaurants in seemingly good standing are also known to violate the most basic tenet of human relations ever: don’t mess with someone’s food. (Though, come to think of it, can you really expect anything good from places that have pictures of food on their menus? Kidding! Haha! Just kidding! Please don’t hurt me, Picture Menu Restaurant Mafia.)

#1

My "Cookies And Cream Stuffed French Toast" From Ihop

My "Cookies And Cream Stuffed French Toast" From Ihop

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Hilary Mol
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Mom, check it out - they have Poo Grilled Cheese on the menu!"

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#2

I Ordered Bruschetta From My Local Pizza Shop

I Ordered Bruschetta From My Local Pizza Shop

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As I see it, there are two main problems when it comes to sloppy reality being far from the picture-perfect gourmet meals you expect to receive. And they have a lot to do with our expectations. The problems are all about the actual cooking standards and the way food adverts can raise our expectations too high.

The first issue is very human: sometimes, the people making your food don’t 'five a guck' about what you’ll get served or they mess up and decide to put the meals out anyway. They might be overworked and burned out. Or they might be lazy and inattentive.

The solution here is simple (and incredibly hard at the same time)—the kitchen staff need to find the inner motivation to take pride in their work. Meanwhile, management needs to maintain acceptable standards. If you wouldn’t eat something you make, why would you expect your customer to? It’s better for the food to be late but presentable instead of rushed and disappointing.

#4

This Steak Salad That Looks Nothing Like It's Advertised

This Steak Salad That Looks Nothing Like It's Advertised

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Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second looks like when you throw all the leftovers in the fridge together at 2 am because you have the munchies

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#5

This Is So Outrageous

This Is So Outrageous

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Erin Presley-Froemke
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jameson and Ginger had been online dating for a while, when the day came where they would finally meet.....

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The second problem, however, is directly related to how things are advertised. What you see on the menus are the ‘perfect’ versions of meals that restaurants want you to see. While some restaurants go for amateur snaps, others go all out and hire professional food stylists to turn grub into glamor shots.

Food styling is an art. Pros can end up using a whole array of tools, from tweezers and tape to blowtorches and paint. So when you take so much time and effort to create a work of art, can somebody in the kitchen who is under pressure really deliver something that’s comparable? Sometimes? Yes! Always? Dear Lord, no.

#7

Menu vs. What They Served Me. No, Millennials Didn’t Kill Appleby’s, They Committed Suicide

Menu vs. What They Served Me. No, Millennials Didn’t Kill Appleby’s, They Committed Suicide

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#9

Burger King Grill Dog Cheddar And Bacon

Burger King Grill Dog Cheddar And Bacon

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#10

Part Of A $3.50 School Lunch. Picture On The Menu And What Was Served

Part Of A $3.50 School Lunch. Picture On The Menu And What Was Served

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#11

A Texas Sized Disappointment

A Texas Sized Disappointment

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#12

The 3 Pieces Of Lettuce Was A Nice Touch I Guess

The 3 Pieces Of Lettuce Was A Nice Touch I Guess

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#16

Taco Bell, I Try To Love You, So Why Do You Treat Me This Way??

Taco Bell, I Try To Love You, So Why Do You Treat Me This Way??

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#17

Restaurant’s Charcuterie Board As Advertised vs. What I Got

Restaurant’s Charcuterie Board As Advertised vs. What I Got

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#18

Damn, I Am So Looking Forward To Eating This Delicious Burger With Copious Amounts Of Guacamole, Just As Advertised, And Then- Oh Wait..

Damn, I Am So Looking Forward To Eating This Delicious Burger With Copious Amounts Of Guacamole, Just As Advertised, And Then- Oh Wait..

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#19

Tim Hortons New Fruit Loop Donuts

Tim Hortons New Fruit Loop Donuts

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#21

Thanks KFC, Totally What I Expected

Thanks KFC, Totally What I Expected

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#23

Arby's Bacon Beef 'N Cheddar

Arby's Bacon Beef 'N Cheddar

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So... they don´t "have the meats" after all... (as opposed to the Arby´s tv commercials declaring "We have the meats")

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#24

The Tempura Green Beans Looked Delicious On The Menu. I Think They Fell A Smidge Short

The Tempura Green Beans Looked Delicious On The Menu. I Think They Fell A Smidge Short

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#25

The Burger I Ordered Tonight

The Burger I Ordered Tonight

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#26

I Know It's Airline Food, But Sweet Baby Jesus United Airlines, Why Would You Let Someone Pay $10 For This?...

I Know It's Airline Food, But Sweet Baby Jesus United Airlines, Why Would You Let Someone Pay $10 For This?...

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#27

This Is Why You Check Your Food Before You Leave The Restaurant...

This Is Why You Check Your Food Before You Leave The Restaurant...

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#28

So I Bought This New Burger From Burger K!ng...

So I Bought This New Burger From Burger K!ng...

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#29

When Reality Doesn’t Meet Expectations

When Reality Doesn’t Meet Expectations

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eww. These must all be franchisee run businesses skimping for the biggest profit. I can only assume they live in highly populated areas where they can still survive, even if no one ever goes twice.

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#31

We Were Expecting Four Mini Quesadillas, But We Got Four Tortilla Chips With Melted Cheese

We Were Expecting Four Mini Quesadillas, But We Got Four Tortilla Chips With Melted Cheese

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#32

Ordered This Delicious Cheese Platter...

Ordered This Delicious Cheese Platter...

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#33

Surf N Turf Burger From A Local Food Truck

Surf N Turf Burger From A Local Food Truck

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#34

I Heard Burger King Was Selling Tacos For $1 So I Went To Try Them

I Heard Burger King Was Selling Tacos For $1 So I Went To Try Them

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#35

Lunch Buffet Disappointment. Salad Pictured On The Menu vs. What I Got

Lunch Buffet Disappointment. Salad Pictured On The Menu vs. What I Got

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#36

I Know That Fast Food Never Looks Like The Picture, Come On Burger King. This Makes Taco Bell Look Like A Gourmet Restaurant

I Know That Fast Food Never Looks Like The Picture, Come On Burger King. This Makes Taco Bell Look Like A Gourmet Restaurant

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#38

Ordered Char Siu Bao From My Local Chinese Takeaway...

Ordered Char Siu Bao From My Local Chinese Takeaway...

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#40

Sonic Philly Cheesesteak (No Mayo)

Sonic Philly Cheesesteak (No Mayo)

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#41

Picture Of Pizza On Room Service Menu vs. Actual Pizza

Picture Of Pizza On Room Service Menu vs. Actual Pizza

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#42

The Menu Picture Of The Nachos I Ordered From Room Service vs. The Nachos They Delivered To My Room

The Menu Picture Of The Nachos I Ordered From Room Service vs. The Nachos They Delivered To My Room

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#43

O’briens Epic Melt

O’briens Epic Melt

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#44

Room Service At The Hotel I'm Staying At, I Was So Excited Too

Room Service At The Hotel I'm Staying At, I Was So Excited Too

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#46

Pizza Is Not Supposed To Make You Feel Sad Before You Eat It

Pizza Is Not Supposed To Make You Feel Sad Before You Eat It

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#47

Not Quite What I Was Led To Expect

Not Quite What I Was Led To Expect

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#48

Panera Grilled Cheese “Food As It Should Be”

Panera Grilled Cheese “Food As It Should Be”

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MiniMaus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow that's really odd. We ordered Panera all the time when we ordered in lunch at the office. It was always fresh, tasty and the bread was practically out-of-the-oven. Looked nothing like the 'before' picture above.

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#49

Burger King’s Bacon Cheesy Tots

Burger King’s Bacon Cheesy Tots

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#50

The Tim Horton’s Farmer’s Breakfast Wrap...

The Tim Horton’s Farmer’s Breakfast Wrap...

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BusLady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They won't get much farming done with that puny breakfast.

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#52

The Saddest Takeaway And Grimmest Mozarella Sticks I’ve Ever Ordered

The Saddest Takeaway And Grimmest Mozarella Sticks I’ve Ever Ordered

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Louchebert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Turds on the run...and the jailer man and Sailor Sam were searching everyone… for the turds on the run...

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#53

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Or What I Imagine Prison Food To Look Like

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza Or What I Imagine Prison Food To Look Like

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#54

Recently I Received The World's Saddest Espresso Martini

Recently I Received The World's Saddest Espresso Martini

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#55

Taco Bell Is Getting Rid Of Their Mexican Pizza. It Used To Be A Favorite Of Mine So I Got One For Old Times Sake

Taco Bell Is Getting Rid Of Their Mexican Pizza. It Used To Be A Favorite Of Mine So I Got One For Old Times Sake

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Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

without having transported it bumpy, I think this one may have looked like the original

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#56

I've Never Cried Harder In My Life

I've Never Cried Harder In My Life

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#57

Chicken Manchurian With Rice. Second Item On The Menu

Chicken Manchurian With Rice. Second Item On The Menu

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#58

Fast Food Burgers vs. Advertisements

Fast Food Burgers vs. Advertisements

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#59

Dunkin Donuts "Lucky Shamrock" Donut

Dunkin Donuts "Lucky Shamrock" Donut

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#61

Newark Airport

Newark Airport

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#62

Hardee's Omelet Biscuit - Literally The Worst

Hardee's Omelet Biscuit - Literally The Worst

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#63

Chili's Menu vs. Chili's Reality

Chili's Menu vs. Chili's Reality

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#64

I Made This About 10 Years Ago. I Think Fast Food Places Should Submit Like 40 Burgers And The Average Is What Is Allowed To Be Shown In Adverts!

I Made This About 10 Years Ago. I Think Fast Food Places Should Submit Like 40 Burgers And The Average Is What Is Allowed To Be Shown In Adverts!

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After all the previous disasters, this one doesn´t look that bad... I still see lettuce, tomato and the meats!!!

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#65

Whataburger’s New Pico De Gallo Burger

Whataburger’s New Pico De Gallo Burger

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Louchebert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is actually a self-defense-burger. When attacked and/or threatened or otherwise in need, you throw this at the person(s) who frighten you...

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#66

Food On The Menu vs. Ordered Food

Food On The Menu vs. Ordered Food

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Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know what Kaya and Peanut Butter toast is, but the one on the right is nice looking. Doesn't match, but isn't sad or smooshed or gross.

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#67

Mc Donald’s Mcrib

Mc Donald’s Mcrib

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Andrew Gibb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think everyone knows that a Mc Rib is basically sauce over shaped abattoir floor sweepings

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#68

This Coconut Tini vs. The Menu Picture

This Coconut Tini vs. The Menu Picture

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Louchebert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aah yeah ... well, that's a small mistake. It should have been called the Wonderful Wellness Water cocktail with a tiny pinch of coconut as an extra. So sorry about that. Oh... and don't mention the war!

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#69

Knotts Berry Farm Is Holding Their “Taste Of Knotts” Event. Carnitas Fries As Pictured On The Website vs. Reality

Knotts Berry Farm Is Holding Their “Taste Of Knotts” Event. Carnitas Fries As Pictured On The Website vs. Reality

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