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The competition in the restaurant industry is brutal. So, it's only natural that establishments want to offer people something the joint down the street still doesn't have on its menu. But if the sole purpose of standing out is simply to stand, it can quickly lead to something hilarious. Or ridiculous. Or even worse, both.

Bored Panda already wrote about restaurants trying to impress their customers too hard here, here, and here but people continue posting pictures of absurd food servings, so we continue covering them. From eating spaghetti off the fricking table to receiving your starter in a sink, continue scrolling to check out the newest batch of Gordon Ramsay's nightmares.

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

Most of these pics were featured on We Want Plates, a community of regular people and dedicated foodies who came together to get restaurants to serve food on actual plates, not on “bits of wood and roof tiles, chips in mugs and drinks in jam jars.”

“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," Ross McGinnes, the founder of the We Want Plates said in an earlier Bored Panda interview. "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."

#2

This Whole Thing Is Just Wrong!

This Whole Thing Is Just Wrong!

"So I went on a date today and we went to a nice restaurant before going to the movies and I ordered the “iced grape popsicles” for dessert because I love grape Popsicles so why not right?…..so the waiter brings out the “iced grape popsicles” aND THEY WERE LITERALLY 3 FROZEN GRAPES ON STICKS…..I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE OFFENDED IN MY LIFE…SINCE WHEN ARE 3 [FRIGGIN] FROZEN GRAPES IN A [FRIGGIN] VASE AN ACCEPTABLE SINGLE DESSERT ORDER..ITS NOT EVEN FROZEN GRAPE JUICE OR SOMETHING ITS LITERALLY JUST A 0.02$ GRAPE THAT WAS PUT ON A STICK THEN FROZEN…LIKE SOMEONE ACTUALLY WROTE THIS DOWN ON THE MENU THINKING “OH YEAH PEOPLE [FRIGGIN] LOVE COLD GRAPES” AND SOME OTHER ASSHAT SAID “BRAH. HEAR ME OUT, HOW ABOUT WE PUT THEM ON STICKS AND SERVE THEM IN A VASE WITH NOTHING ELSE” LIKE YOU COULDNT EVEN SERVE IT WITH A [FRIGGIN] SECOND FRUIT OR EVEN [FRIGGIN] LEAVES OR WHATEVER… IM SO MAD. [FRIGGIN] FROZEN GRAPES ON A STICK.
AND THEY WERENT EVEN SEEDLESS GRAPES…"

Garden_Faery Report

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applepieschool avatar
The Emerald Triangle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did you read the fine print under the description of the item you ordered? That was the exact fricken comment I got from a waiter once.

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As We Want Plates continues to grow, McGinnes said the worst food serving he has ever encountered was when he got a piece of cake on a table tennis bat in Barcelona around 2008. "It still gives me sleepless nights," he said.

It's style over content, and McGiness thinks too much time is spent faffing around balancing six chips in a mini wheelbarrow. When these stunts become the focus, the flavour becomes secondary. And that's not a good thing.

#4

Most Expensive Restaurant I've Ever Been. Chef Literally Made The Starter In Our Hand

Most Expensive Restaurant I've Ever Been. Chef Literally Made The Starter In Our Hand

Zero_Boss Report

#5

My Friend Was Served A Single Potato On A Tiny Chair

My Friend Was Served A Single Potato On A Tiny Chair

lu-ne Report

#6

The One Vegetarian Entrée At This Restaurant Is Served Inside The Shell Of A Dead Sea Creature

The One Vegetarian Entrée At This Restaurant Is Served Inside The Shell Of A Dead Sea Creature

Nephelus Report

#8

Saw This On A Friend’s Instagram. The Horror

Saw This On A Friend’s Instagram. The Horror

SwaggerWaggon123 Report

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

Flying spaghetti monster decided to land on your table to convert you?

desert29rat avatar
raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's on a table-cloth or paper. Still a big no from me. One person's utensils goes in, utensils go in mouth, utensils return to communal food along with mouth germs. No thanks.

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

I guess it would keep people from putting their elbows on the table.

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

My Italian grandmother would have been so insulted seeing this. Every Sunday she made Homemade pasta with Homemade meatballs and sausage for Sunday dinner for our family.

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

If a four year old child did this they would be asked to leave after paying the check.

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

I guess the 'restaurant' saved on washing dishes, at least.

samtgodfrey3 avatar
Sam T Godfrey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember a song about this when I was a kid: "On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese. I lost my poor meatball...."

maureennoll avatar
Maureen Peters
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Buon appetito! What's the name of this restaurant? Is it..."The Merry Italian Dustbin"?

swobodaed avatar
Emily Swoboda
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand what I'm seeing. The horror is right!

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

Someone was dewormed it seems. They picked the wrong place to get rid of the result.

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hispanic! at the disco
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like someone lay down on a bunch of pasta and tried to make snow angels

truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like thay laid down something...but they aren't spagetti angels. (look at the sausage)

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

When you ask to take home the rest what do they do, just grab the ends of the tablecloth and throw it over the top & say here ya go!

wendyemlingermanytotems avatar
Wendy Emlinger (ManyTotems)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm with the 'Want a Plate' people. I'm not three. I'm not going to play with my food or fingerpaint with it. I want a plate.

jackiewacky avatar
Jackie Wacky
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like having to eat your way through a violent accident.

yanbou avatar
Yannick Bouret
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely gross! To broke to hire someone to fill in, start and empty the dishwasher?

dcloud1943 avatar
Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is just plain disgusting. Just because they want to be Avant garde!

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

I need the backstory about this scene. It must be a winner!

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

We did this once...at a birthday party...at home. NOT at a restaurant. And we were kids!

katie_karstensen avatar
Katherine Gilleland
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ve had this before, but it wasn’t at a restaurant. It was when a coworker said that we were having family style spaghetti after shows were done taping. That was a fun job.

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

At least the restaurant doesn't have to worry about cleaning plates

brandiehoward avatar
Brandie Howard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When ur drunk & know u will make a mess..who needs a plate anyway.

aileencann avatar
Aileen Cann
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope the table clothe was cleaned. And no I am not going to wash it.

teresa_a_groth avatar
Teresa Groth
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The germs and mess and lap droppings, Big Bad Place To Go Too!

cathryncade_1 avatar
Cathryn Cade
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So all the servers and the manager are wasted... and this is their idea of a joke?

lucilleballd-12 avatar
Kimberley Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this the human version of a trough? Why? To be used during family dinners to make the fights break out sooner?

vaida_kuodyte avatar
Vaida Kuodytė
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretentious holes like that do get Michelin stars. For pretentiousness.

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

Reminds me of a dish I had once, a giant pile of spaghetti served on a plastic tablecloth on the ground, we were expected to eat with our hands. It was a school event, trying to invoke the experience of being a caveman. They slopped some chocolate pudding on the tablecloth when we were done with the spaghetti. I walked away in disgust (and hunger.) All I can remember is being miserable and our parents getting a good laugh out of it, can't imagine a restaurant charging for the experience.

katieallen avatar
Katie Allen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think real cavemen had spaghetti, it must have been some BS someone saw on the Flinstones and they were absolutely so dumb they thought it was real

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

A set of genitals serverd over spaghetti, and dumped on your table. I'll have spam.

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

Looks like this chef has taken a page out of the "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" playbook...

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#9

Saw A Bird Nest Post Here And Thought This Was Comparable

Saw A Bird Nest Post Here And Thought This Was Comparable

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#10

Spaghetti Bolognese In A Bread Cone

Spaghetti Bolognese In A Bread Cone

Cyclonekmb Report

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

How is it possible to make one of the best meals to eat, universally loved, look SO unappealing...

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#11

Our Sharing Starter Came In A Sink

Our Sharing Starter Came In A Sink

cwsphotographer Report

#12

It’s Getting Out Of Hand

It’s Getting Out Of Hand

psburton Report

#13

“Don’t Eat The Rocks” - Waiter Upon Serving

“Don’t Eat The Rocks” - Waiter Upon Serving

swflmeli Report

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

This would be better if the waiter whispered 'they're not rocks' after his warning, then walked away and left you guessing what they are.

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#14

The Jello Tasted Alright, Nothing Special

The Jello Tasted Alright, Nothing Special

CTU-24 Report

#15

Not Shown: The Sauce Proceeding To Spill Onto My Lap

Not Shown: The Sauce Proceeding To Spill Onto My Lap

ecapstone Report

#17

Not A Plate, But An Actual Glass Would Be Nice

Not A Plate, But An Actual Glass Would Be Nice

soseidel79 Report

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

that's what you get for a few cents from a street hawker, not in a fancy a*s restaurant where you pay extra for dine in service.

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#18

Cheese Served On A Mouse Trap

Cheese Served On A Mouse Trap

the_avo_89 Report

#19

We Demand Plates

We Demand Plates

Top_pilots Report

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

This literally is box mac and cheese with dinosaur chicken nuggets. You can do this at home with a plate.

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#20

I'm Gonna Swing From The Chandelier, From The Chandelier

I'm Gonna Swing From The Chandelier, From The Chandelier

coup_detat_21 Report

#21

Steak And Mashed Taters In A Sombrero

Steak And Mashed Taters In A Sombrero

issyababymamma Report

#22

This Broccoli On Barbed Wire

This Broccoli On Barbed Wire

oldfashioned24 Report

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applepieschool avatar
The Emerald Triangle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just 4 pieces? That better be gold flakes on the sh*t if I got to pry it off of Bob wire.

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#23

Sorbetto With Foam Served In A Lightbulb On A Bed Of Dried Grass

Sorbetto With Foam Served In A Lightbulb On A Bed Of Dried Grass

mightgooutside Report

#24

Dinner At A Corporate Christmas Party. Mashed Potatoes, Roast Beef, And Peas In A Martini Glass

Dinner At A Corporate Christmas Party. Mashed Potatoes, Roast Beef, And Peas In A Martini Glass

nolawsdrinkclaws Report

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

I have a friend who cannot stand it when her food touches each other. This is her nightmare.

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#25

Didn't Expect My Appetizer To Be Served Inside A Dresser But Ok

Didn't Expect My Appetizer To Be Served Inside A Dresser But Ok

kiwimeli Report

#26

The Syrup Is Already Going Down His Arm

The Syrup Is Already Going Down His Arm

ZebraBoat Report

#27

My Friend's Ramen Was Served In A Beer Mug

My Friend's Ramen Was Served In A Beer Mug

Mo1s7 Report

#28

Gordon Got Served A Steak On A Roof Tile

Gordon Got Served A Steak On A Roof Tile

bigppman2 Report

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#31

$500 Tasting Menu, And This Is How Dessert Was Served...

$500 Tasting Menu, And This Is How Dessert Was Served...

krazy4001 Report

#32

At A Conference In Houston

At A Conference In Houston

bwelnicki Report

#33

Not In Need Of A Plate, But A Bowl Would Have Been Nice As Opposed To This Wine Glass For My Soup, Which Was Poured At The Table Out Of A Wine Bottle

Not In Need Of A Plate, But A Bowl Would Have Been Nice As Opposed To This Wine Glass For My Soup, Which Was Poured At The Table Out Of A Wine Bottle

frysause- Report

#34

This Is Not Acceptable.

This Is Not Acceptable.

horfor Report

#35

Scrolling Through Instagram This Morning And Found This

Scrolling Through Instagram This Morning And Found This

lavrenmc Report

Note: this post originally had 94 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.