ADVERTISEMENT

What’s important is the quality of the food, not what it’s served on. Right? Wrong! Sometimes, when you’re at a fancy restaurant, waiters serve your meal on such weird things and in such strange food containers that you pay more attention to them than your dinner. Those are the times that it’s acceptable to bombard your friends with pictures of your food, instead of eating it.

There’s a whole community of regular people and dedicated foodies who have banded together to form the online group ‘We Want Plates.’ Their mission is all in their name — they want restaurants serving food on actual plates, not on “bits of wood and roof tiles, chips in mugs and drinks in jam jars.” This is an internet community that loathes hipster things and trends, and “crusades” for the right to have their food brought to them on plates, as Mother Nature intended.

Keep scrolling and let us know in the comments what bad designs of food serving you found to be the most amusing. Let us know if you’ve seen something even weirder! Remember to upvote the worst food serving designs and ideas and share them with your friends. And after you’re done, have a look at Bored Panda’s other lists about restaurants that have gone too far with food serving and trying to impress customers too hard. Some of these eateries are beyond saving, don’t you think?

More info: wewantplates.com | Reddit | Facebook | Instagram |Twitter

#1

Self-Aware Absurdity? Apple Pastry Desert Served On An Image Of A Plate.... On An iPad

Self-Aware Absurdity? Apple Pastry Desert Served On An Image Of A Plate.... On An iPad

cheekyjan Report

#2

A Meringue Served On A Magnetically Levitated Pillow

A Meringue Served On A Magnetically Levitated Pillow

It took over 5 minutes for them to get the pillow to hover. I nearly fell asleep.

Couldnt_think_of_a , essjay2009 Report

Bored Panda reached out to Ross McGinnes, the founder of the ‘We Want Plates’ community: “I started the campaign in 2015 after a friend posted a picture of an average-sized steak on Facebook, which had been served to him on a large chopping board. It was captioned, unironically, "That is a big meal!" It wasn't a big meal — he'd fallen for all this style-over-content hipster gastropub nonsense. I searched Twitter for an account which would allow me to vent my spleen with like-minded people, but found nothing. We Want Plates was born. Four years later we have over 150,000 followers on Twitter, and three quarters of a million across all social media platforms.”

McGinnes noted that some restaurants put food on strange things, because they want to try to stand out from the crowd. “My local pub used to do a great Sunday roast: twelve quid, piled high, tasted great and yes, it came on a plate. One weekend they added a quirky offering to the menu: little sandwiches, pies, dainty cakes and mini milkshakes served on a miniature picnic bench. The benches, painted bright pink and yellow, sat on top of tables seating actual grown adults. And what was the first thing these infantilized diners did? It wasn’t try the food — it was whip out their phones and take a picture.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#3

My Bread Served Inside Roadkill

My Bread Served Inside Roadkill

urdsrevenge Report

#4

Cheese Foam That Is Spooned Onto The Back Of Your Hand By The Waiter And Then You Have To Lick It Off

Cheese Foam That Is Spooned Onto The Back Of Your Hand By The Waiter And Then You Have To Lick It Off

prisongovernor Report

“Over the following months the picnic benches became increasingly popular, coinciding with the specials board becoming progressively smaller, before it eventually disappeared altogether. I sat there one Sunday, watching bench after garish bench emerge from the kitchen like a technicolor carnival of idiocy, before my usual roast arrived. The meat was cold and the potatoes were burnt. It was once their main Sunday trade, but the traditional roast had died an unpalatable death. But that’s OK because they were doing a roaring trade with the benches, right?  Sure, until the pub down the road started doing them too. Then the one around the corner. Before you know it, everyone’s doing the same ‘quirky’ thing, except it’s not ‘quirky’ any more because you can’t move for mini picnic benches and now all their roast dinners are rubbish to boot.”

The creator of ‘We Want Plates’ listed how there are plenty of examples of food served on bizarre things, such as beef Wellington on barbed wire, tempura in a shoe, sandwiches in a phone box, and a chutney cupboard. “The worst I've encountered personally was when I was served a piece of cake on a table tennis bat in Barcelona around 2008. It still gives me sleepless nights.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

So These Motherf**** Actually Gave Me A Plate... Upside Down

So These Motherf**** Actually Gave Me A Plate... Upside Down

Jotapeme Report

#6

"I Put Fries In An Enclosed Bowl So They Steam And Get Soggy" - Some Prick Cook

"I Put Fries In An Enclosed Bowl So They Steam And Get Soggy" - Some Prick Cook

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So you shove it all in there and don't give them a plate so they can actually eat it? Just... that's just annoying. At least with some of the other nonsense you don't have to excavate layers of food.

View more commentsArrow down menu

The ‘We Want Plates’ community is very popular in the internet realm. Nearly 95,000 people follow the group on Facebook, another 20,000 on Instagram, and almost 156,000 on Twitter; while the plate-lovers’ subreddit has more than 509,000 members.

Lesley Lassiter from the Nashville Scene wonders whether the only reason restaurants put so much effort in presenting food is that the owners want to get popular online and get more customers. Naturally, this backfires more often than not because the presentation is impractical and just plain bizarre. There’s also the added question of money: do restaurants jack up their prices just because they spent an inordinate amount of cash on random things for serving food on?

The next time you’re out for dinner with your friends at your local artsy restaurant, watch their reactions when everything leaves the kitchen served on twigs, logs, and leaves. If your friends’ eyes light up and they start posting photos online, they might just be a ‘We Want Plates’ enthusiast.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

My Boyfriend Was Just Served A Bloody Mary In A Fry Basket

My Boyfriend Was Just Served A Bloody Mary In A Fry Basket

I_Crush_Your_Head Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexandra-murphy8 avatar
Neon Petra
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks really, really unappetising. In a fry basket would look cool, but guys... it's a liquid. Let it stay in a glass.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Ravioli On A Clothesline, As You Do

Ravioli On A Clothesline, As You Do

corkboy Report

#11

Curry On A Chopping Board

Curry On A Chopping Board

skelto Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
wandile dludlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would have made better sense to have the rice on the board and curry in the bowl

kyoulover1 avatar
Rinpai
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am mostly upset that a really nice chopping board is being wasted as a plate tbh.

nataliamorgadonardi avatar
NMN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like a tasty fillet mignon stroganoff full of delicious champignon but awfully wasted in a ridiculous board. Dont know why ppl are saying it looks like puke. There are clean plates just next to it, that just makes me confused.

parisliau avatar
Red
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the fact that the rice and vegetables are in the bowl and the curry is on the table really pisses me off

danicakwei avatar
Dani
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing this would be acceptable with is bread and maybe, MAYBE crudites.

tiiski-com avatar
Trisha Lynn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got the two mixed up, me thinks. Curry in bowl. Rice on plate. Good grief!!

scaggslogan93 avatar
Logan Scaggs
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this just looks like my cat's vomit after he eats his food too fast

janettetsmith avatar
Janette Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like someone already ate it then hurled it back on the board 🤮

prava-hanuma avatar
Eli Da
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

chappidia9895 avatar
SomebodyNobody
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought the chopping board was the table for a second and freaked out ;-;

sharronlparsons avatar
sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I do feel sick, just looking at it, I would just walk out, pronto !!!

louise_brigance avatar
Louise Brigance
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh dear...something didn't agree with my dog's stomach...poor thing.

nobletruths4 avatar
Sue Sanders
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like poo from a large animal who ate another large animal. And ew-w-w -- just NO.

mbtrendos avatar
Mary Beth Trendos
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol this is literally someone’s back yard. Restaurants don’t have boxes of Kleenex on the table.

roseduemig avatar
Rose Duemig
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would never eat this - looks like someone vomited it back.

grannykatereilly avatar
Katherine Morris
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like an order to be shared. (Hence the two plates alongside.)

elly-clifton avatar
Elly Clifton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

where are the obligatory carrot pieces that normal adorn a hurl?

gavinkoh108 avatar
Godspeed
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's one thing if it is a banana leaf...but this is just stupid!

amytilling avatar
Doubanji
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, that just makes me think someone didnt make it to the toilet on time... Reminds me of being a cleaner 🤢

krois-pe-el avatar
Slune
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I told the cook going home,he was so pale .... but he stayed

johntruman861 avatar
Dr John A Truman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the bacteria that is going to seep into that cutting board. will never get it cleaned properly.

eckert avatar
Bob Eckert
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would drop my pants and immediately have a bowel movement on the curry. Now it's complete

stacy avatar
Fixin'Ta
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again -- how do you get these sanitized afterward to reuse? Nope. Nope nope nope nope nope.

martincon avatar
Connie Martin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thought of scraping my fork on a soggy wooden board is making my hair hurt.

wendydyson avatar
Wendy Dyson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is ridiculous. I would ask them to take it back and put it on a plate.

badkittyspot avatar
Cathy Hinz
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like someone puked up their dinner! Grrooosssss!!!

cheshirecatlovesme avatar
Kujo1d
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are clearly TWO plates next to the curry. Come on!

angie_kremers avatar
Angie Kremers
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

mice_icles avatar
Phlop Ophlarb
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better sense would be of course to use a plate, but they weren't aiming for better sense on purpose, so they achieved their goal

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like the plastic displays outfront of some restaraunts in Asia

everclearshovel21 avatar
Hello it Smee
Community Member
4 years ago

What the heck is up with the tissue box?

everclearshovel21 avatar
Hello it Smee
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got down vote for asking a question. Ok, I was asking if this is a thing because I have never seen tissues as napkin. Dang guys.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

It Has A Plate... But Still

It Has A Plate... But Still

Realwomprat Report

#13

This Dessert Trend Needs To Stop

This Dessert Trend Needs To Stop

ochad Report

Add photo comments
POST
khairunisaasyikinnoordin avatar
nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't even begin to think how to consume those without making a mess

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

This Is The Most Awful Thing Ever. Broccoli Impaled On A Metal... Thing?

This Is The Most Awful Thing Ever. Broccoli Impaled On A Metal... Thing?

juangutip Report

Add photo comments
POST
lenkafedor avatar
Lenka Fedor
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it supposed to be a tree. Like from the Lord of the rings. :) :) :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Self Cleaning Bowl

Self Cleaning Bowl

WeWantPlates Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#19

Raspberry Ice Cream On A Twig, In A Hole Drilled Into A Rock

Raspberry Ice Cream On A Twig, In A Hole Drilled Into A Rock

neo3237 Report

#20

Love It When Sand Gets In My Soup

Love It When Sand Gets In My Soup

WeWantPlates Report

Add photo comments
POST
alexandra-murphy8 avatar
Neon Petra
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who thought this would be a good idea? The soup looks like vomit and the sand looks like that stuff they use to clean up vomit with.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

My Parents Sent Me This Picture From Their Vacation In Italy

My Parents Sent Me This Picture From Their Vacation In Italy

MajesticHoneydew Report

#24

My Wife's Cocktail Was Served In A Hollow Stone And Had To Be Drunk Through The Hole, Without A Straw

My Wife's Cocktail Was Served In A Hollow Stone And Had To Be Drunk Through The Hole, Without A Straw

MrMagicMoves Report

#27

Our Appetizer In A Shoe. They Refused My Request To Try It On Or Take It Home.

Our Appetizer In A Shoe. They Refused My Request To Try It On Or Take It Home.

adullploy Report

Add photo comments
POST
kyoulover1 avatar
Rinpai
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the most insulting thing is that they think 3 tots is enough for a serving.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Horrifying

Horrifying

TheBeatles2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is one of those tiny portion restaurants where you're supposed to eat at home first

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Someone I Know Got Her Food On Some Kind Of Bone

Someone I Know Got Her Food On Some Kind Of Bone

tsjoepvdv Report

Add photo comments
POST
jksimm515 avatar
Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to know what kind of bone that is!!! Also if it's easy to clean/ sanitize.... but mostly what it came out of.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Literaly 6 Nachos For The Whole Table

Literaly 6 Nachos For The Whole Table

mmonzeob Report

Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.