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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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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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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?

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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

konigswagger Report

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#10

Spaghetti Bolognese In A Bread Cone

Spaghetti Bolognese In A Bread Cone

Cyclonekmb Report

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bagladyele avatar
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

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

Looks like it snapped several mouse necks before this. Greasy and rusty. No way food safe

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

oh... they didn't mean to put that on your table. that's just to take care of their mouse problem.

shauna130 avatar
Shauna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just what I want when eating cheese is to think about dead mice.

charlotte_18 avatar
Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, cute concept? I see where they were going. But perhaps not on a trap that has claimed the lives of actual mice. Seemingly many.

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

Wonder if the mice are peeking over to see how its done.. although if there are mice the restaurant has a bigger problem

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

Did you get a fork with it or do you have to puck it up with you fingers

askrivan avatar
80 Van
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ok, hear me out. You know how cheese is used to look rats? What if we reminded our patrons of that, while they ATE CHEESE!" "Bill, I knew we hired you for a reason. Get it in the menu!"

ksheasley avatar
Katherine Heasley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least it's thematically appropriate, rather than a complete non-sequitur.

alreillyscatalyst avatar
Al Reilly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonder how many mice were decapitated by this before it became a serving tray!!

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

A clean plate with the design of a mouse trap on it, sure, show your wit. This? No.

corek avatar
Coreen Kerr
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Might be edible if it were clean who wants a mouse trap full of who knows what???

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

Please take away the trap and deliver the food to the mouse along with a napkin. That's the only right and moral thing to do.

cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have one of these, it came as part of a pricey gift set featuring "live cheeses" (locally delivered, never refrigerated). It's a welded in place that is dishwasher safe.

mamaoddling avatar
Mama Oddling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes a good art piece. It just needs a table of dumb, unsuspecting humans and a rat chef waiting patiently in the background.

ebony1k124touch avatar
ebony1k124 touch
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess they were out of plates and only had mousetraps available. Every bite releases the soul of a dead mouse.

shannonrichards25 avatar
ShareMusic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yuck! But, it could be baked on grease that makes it black - like my old cookie sheets.

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

First, you catch a mouse. Remove mouse from trap. Do not clean. Place more cheese on trap.. oh wait.. I wanted some cheese too. Here you go.

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

It'd be clever and cutesy if the mouse trap wasn't scavenged from a bombed-out WWII building.

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

I do actually like this one. Brings a bit of drama to some boring-looking cheese.

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von Funnyname
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#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.