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While some of us order food just because we’re too lazy to cook. Others go to restaurants because they open a whole new world of culinary possibilities.
Can you cook a good mole sauce? Neither can most people. But the Mexican restaurant down the street can do it. It’ll only cost you $18, and it will come with more beans and rice than you could eat in a weekend!
When a chef looks at a restaurant menu, they’re not observing things in the same way as most other diners. Their keen eyes and culinary know-how mean they’ve got thoughts on dining that most non-chefs just wouldn’t understand. And now, a user on TikTok is sharing that wisdom with viewers. Specifically, what meat should you avoid at a restaurant?
Which Meat Should You Not Order From a Restaurant?
In her video, which currently has over 338,000 views, TikTok user Saige goes through a list of items she would “never order at a restaurant” given her life experience as someone who was raised by a chef, is married to a chef, and has a brother who is a chef.
In many of these cases, she says that she simply wouldn’t order the item because she knows she can have a better version of it at home. For example, she says she doesn’t order steaks or go to steakhouses “because it’s not worth the money.”
“I’d rather go to a butcher and grill it myself,” she states.
Similarly, she says she doesn’t order pasta from restaurants that use boxed pasta, nor does she order rice as “it’s probably not washed,” and she “can make it at home, nine times out of 10, better.” Though she does make an exception for Mexican and Thai restaurants. She also notes that she tries not to go to restaurants on Sundays as many restaurants can’t get deliveries on that day, meaning the food is likely old.
All that said, there’s another type of meat she’ll never order from restaurants for another reason. That meat? Swordfish.
What’s So Bad About Swordfish?
In her video, Saige declares that she “would never order swordfish—ever.”
“Way too many worms,” she states.
Saige isn’t alone in this opinion. The late Anthony Bourdain wrote in his book “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly” that his seafood purveyor “won’t eat it.”
“He’s seen too many of those three-foot-long parasitic worms that riddle the fish’s flesh,” Bourdain writes. “You see a few of these babies — and we all do — and you won’t be tucking into swordfish anytime soon.”
That’s not the only problem with swordfish. As noted by Food Republic, the meat is known to contain high levels of mercury—so high, in fact, that the FDA warns that swordfish should not be eaten by pregnant people, those who are breastfeeding, or children under the age of 11.
Is Swordfish Even Safe?
Here’s the thing about the aforementioned parasites: They’re gross, but, provided the fish is prepared correctly, they’re not dangerous.
So long as the fish has been properly cooked—or, if it’s to be eaten raw, properly frozen at -20°C for at least 24 hours—all parasites should be killed, posing no danger to humans. Parasites are generally only a problem if one is eating swordfish raw and freshly caught from the sea; this is not the case for most Americans, as much of the swordfish that enters the market has already been frozen. Still, it’s important to check to make sure that one’s swordfish has been properly prepared before eating.
Even noting this, some diners may find the presence of parasites, even dead ones, gross. If they do, they should probably avoid fish altogether, as most wild-caught fish are infested with worms.
@saigeeypoo Kinda 4 things but I consider point 3/4 to be the same. I am soo lucky to be surrounded by such good food. I don’t even need to romanticize my life, my life has always been one long episode of the bear 🤣 minus the constant anxiety. These are also my opinions, you do you boo
Commenters Weigh In
In the comments section, many users agreed with the TikToker’s tips.
“As a chef, she’s legit. This is very close to my opinion. Except rice,” wrote one user. “Rice is integral to many many cuisines and dining experiences. You’re not eating Indian, Thai, or Chinese without rice.”
“I was married to an Exec Chef for 24 yrs and am a former Director of Catering. I rarely go out to eat, unless it’s a really stellar restaurant. Iykyk,” shared another.
“My rule is what can I NOT make myself,” offered a third.
BroBible reached out to Saige via TikTok direct message and comment.