Avoid These: 17 Restaurant Selections That Are Never a Good Deal

Avoid These: 17 Restaurant Selections That Are Never a Good Deal

Dining out can be a delightful experience, but not every menu item is worth your hard-earned money. Some restaurant selections come with hefty price tags, hidden costs, or subpar quality. To help you make better choices, we've compiled a list of 17 restaurant selections that are never a good deal.

1. Bottled Water

Many restaurants charge a premium for bottled water when tap water is often free and just as safe to drink.

2. Iceberg Lettuce Salads

These salads are often overpriced, lacking the nutrients and variety found in mixed greens or spinach-based salads.

3. Truffle-Infused Dishes

Most “truffle” dishes use synthetic truffle oil rather than real truffles, making them an expensive gimmick rather than a culinary delight.

4. Wagyu or Kobe Beef Burgers

Most restaurants serve American Wagyu, not authentic Japanese Wagyu or Kobe beef, yet charge sky-high prices for the name.

5. Lobster Mac and Cheese

This dish is often overpriced and contains minimal lobster, making it a poor-value choice compared to a standalone lobster dish.

6. Filet Mignon

While tender, filet mignon lacks flavor compared to other cuts like ribeye, yet it comes with a premium price.

7. Fancy Cocktails

While aesthetically pleasing, these drinks often contain cheap liquor masked by sugary mixers but cost as much as a full meal.

8. Sushi Rolls with Excessive Fillers

Some sushi rolls bulk up with rice, cream cheese, and tempura bits, reducing the actual fish content while inflating the price.

9. Vegetarian or Vegan Burgers

Unless the restaurant specializes in plant-based cuisine, these options are often overpriced for what is essentially a processed patty.

10. Bread Baskets (When Not Complimentary)

Some restaurants charge for what should be a complimentary starter, making it an unnecessary expense.

11. Pasta Dishes

Pasta is one of the cheapest ingredients, yet many restaurants mark it up excessively, making it a poor-value option.

12. Avocado Toast

This simple dish is often outrageousl
y priced compared to making it at home for a fraction of the cost.

13. Chicken Breast Dishes

Chicken breast is inexpensive and easy to prepare, yet it’s frequently priced as if it were a premium cut of meat.

14. Prix Fixe Menus (Without Checking the Prices)

Some prix fixe menus offer less value than ordering individual dishes, so always do the math before committing.

15. Seafood Platters

Many seafood platters contain lower-quality seafood mixed with ice to make portions look bigger while charging a premium.

16. Breakfast Items Like Pancakes or Eggs

Restaurants often charge significantly more for breakfast items that are inexpensive and easy to make at home.

17. Daily Specials (Without Checking Details)

Not all specials are a good deal—sometimes they are just a way to clear out slow-moving ingredients at a premium price.

Final Thoughts

When dining out, making smart choices can help you get the most for your money. By avoiding these 17 overpriced or deceptive restaurant selections, you can enjoy your meals without feeling like you've overpaid.

What’s the worst restaurant deal you’ve ever encountered? Share your thoughts in the comments!