"Everything is going great, and as you polish off an appetizer, your server arrives with your entrée in hand. You pick up your cutlery, preparing to dig in. But, as you're about to take your first bite, something catches your attention - dried, crusted food remnants on the edges of your plate, that clearly isn't a part of your scrumptious meal. You quickly scan the rest of your plate, the rim of your class, and your fork in hand, and wonder, "Is my dinnerware dirty?""
"The simple truth is that, if you see food remnants, finger prints, or oily smudges on your plate, it's not fit to serve - and may not even be safe. Since your request for a new plate has nothing to do with personal preference, but rather general cleanliness, it's a fairly neutral ask that shouldn't offend the staff. In fact, they may even appreciate you bringing the issue to their attention."
A diner who notices dried, crusted food remnants, fingerprints, or oily smudges on plates should request a clean plate immediately. Serving spotted or reused dishware can reduce appetizing appearance and may pose safety concerns. Clean dishes and utensils are required by the FDA Food Code and serve as indicators of proper restaurant hygiene. Asking for a replacement plate is a neutral request tied to cleanliness rather than preference and is unlikely to offend staff. Servers and managers may appreciate being alerted so they can correct the issue and maintain inspection standards and customer satisfaction.
Read at Tasting Table
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