Dining at a diner can be a wonderful experience, but certain menu items can spell disaster for your health.
11 Foods You Should NEVER Order At A Diner
There's a comfort in diner dining, but knowing what to avoid can save you a painful experience. Here’s a list of foods that could ruin your meal—and your health—at less reputable diners, making it easier to navigate the menu without regret.
1. Pasta: Craving carbs? It’s tempting to order pasta, but resist the urge unless it’s the diner’s specialty. Many diners use mass-produced canned sauce, which lacks genuine flavor and depth. You could easily whip up a better dish at home for a fraction of the price.
2. Soup or Chili: Think twice before ordering soup or chili at a diner. Often, these come straight from industrially produced cans, meaning you’re not getting the fresh homemade goodness you hope for. If the diner isn’t celebrated for its housemade chili, it’s wiser to choose another option.
3. Salads: Salads might seem like a healthy choice, but many diners serve them with bland dressings straight from giant containers. The ingredients can be subpar, leaving you with a sad dish that fails to satisfy. If you seek a truly delicious salad, it’s better to visit a restaurant known for its quality ingredients.
4. Alfalfa Sprouts: Avoid ordering dishes with alfalfa sprouts at diners. These can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria due to their propensity to grow in warm, humid conditions. An FDA investigation linked a disaster to contaminated alfalfa sprouts served in restaurants, underlining their risk.
5. Scrambled Eggs: Diners may serve scrambled eggs from powder to save time and costs. While they technically count as eggs, they often contain additives and may not be suitable for those with gluten intolerance. Opt for freshly cracked eggs when possible.
6. Poached Eggs: Poached eggs can be a headache for busy diner kitchens. The time it takes to prepare them can lead to delays in your order. While you might love poached eggs, it’s kind to skip them for the sake of the overwhelmed line cooks.
7. Cream Pastries: The appeal of cream-filled pastries at diners can quickly sour. These desserts can be breeding grounds for staph bacteria if not handled correctly. Past outbreaks highlight the importance of avoiding poorly stored cream desserts, as they can lead to food poisoning.
8. Seafood Dishes: Seafood can be particularly risky at diners. Especially when ordering raw items like oysters, the potential for contamination with vibrio bacteria is high. Contaminated oysters can lead to severe illnesses, making it a wisdom to stick with cooked seafood options at reputable restaurants.
9. Burgers: The allure of a juicy diner burger can be overshadowed by the dangers of undercooked meat. Research from Consumer Reports has indicated a high level of bacteria—including E. coli and S. aureus—present in ground beef. The risks involved with diner burgers warrant serious consideration before you indulge.
10. Meatloaf: Meatloaf might be a comforting choice, but it poses similar risks as burgers when it comes to undercooked meat. Given its thickness, it can be challenging to ensure it’s cooked all the way through, which increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.
11. Deli Sandwiches: Deli sandwiches at diners often use ingredients that may have been sitting around for days. If you desire a fresh and quality experience, it’s best to steer clear of deli offerings from most diners and consider eateries that promise freshly prepared meals.
Eating at diners can be enjoyable, but your well-being should always come first. With careful consideration of what to avoid, you can navigate the diner menu confidently and safeguard your health while still enjoying comfort food alternatives that are safe to eat.