“Don’t Get Fooled: 14 Appetizers That Are a Splurge You’ll Regret Ordering!”
Added on November 4, 2024 inFun And Facts Cards
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Is sharing really caring, or is it just a clever ruse from restaurants to upsell you under the guise of generosity? We’ve all been there: you’re out with friends, belly grumbling, staring at a menu filled with temptation, and thinking, “A small appetizer is just what I need to tide me over!” Sounds reasonable, right? But hold on—before you dive headfirst into those overpriced bites, you might want to reconsider. Many of those adorable-looking starters aren’t just a little indulgence; they’re a full-fledged con job designed to exploit your hunger. The truth is, some of these appetizers are barely worth their weight in fried breadcrumbs, let alone their price tag. So to spare you from regret and to keep your wallet on lockdown, I’ve rounded up 14 restaurant appetizers that can only be described as a total waste of your hard-earned cash. Trust me, you might want to think twice before placing that order for fried zucchini!
For those curious souls wanting to dig deeper into this culinary dilemma, LEARN MORE.
You waited just a little bit too long to eat dinner, and now you’re sitting at a restaurant very tempted by the appetizer menu. Just a little bite to hold you over is all you need. But here’s a little secret: many of those delicious-looking starters aren’t worth the price you’re about to pay. The next time you’re glancing at the menu and wondering if those appetizers are worth it, you might want to think twice.
Sure, some appetizers are culinary masterpieces, but others? They’re nothing more than overpriced snacks that you could whip up at home for a fraction of the cost. And let’s be honest, the portions never quite seem to match up with the price tag either. It’s almost like restaurants know you’re hungry and vulnerable, and they take full advantage of it.
So, in the spirit of saving you some cash and avoiding unnecessary food disappointment, we’ve compiled a list of 14 restaurant appetizers that are, frankly, a waste of money. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll reconsider that small plate of fried zucchini next time.
Everyone loves mozzarella sticks, but they might be the biggest rip-off of all time. You’re paying $8 for what? Four sticks of fried cheese with marinara sauce. Yes, they’re delicious, but you can get a whole bag of frozen mozzarella sticks at the store for less than that and cook them at home in 10 minutes.
At a restaurant, it feels like a fancy treat, but when you break down the cost, it’s just an overpriced snack you could’ve easily made yourself. Save your money for the main course.
There’s no denying that guacamole is delicious, but why is it so expensive? Most restaurants charge $10 or more for a small bowl of mashed avocados and a basket of chips. Avocados aren’t that pricey, and tortilla chips are even cheaper.
You’re better off making a batch at home with fresh ingredients. You can control the flavors, and best of all, you won’t feel like you just spent $12 on something that should’ve cost a third of that.
Spinach and artichoke dip is a restaurant favorite, but it’s often one of the most overpriced dishes on the menu. Restaurants tend to charge $8 to $12 for a small bowl of creamy dip served with a few pieces of bread or chips.
The ingredients themselves are inexpensive, and you can make a large batch at home for less than the price of a single serving at a restaurant. Plus, making it yourself means you can add as much cheese as your heart desires.
Bruschetta is essentially toast with tomatoes, garlic, and basil. While it’s delicious, it’s hard to justify paying more than $10 for a few pieces of bread topped with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Make this Italian classic at home for a fraction of the cost, and you’ll never feel ripped off again. Plus, you can make as many pieces as you want and load them with extra toppings.
Stuffed mushrooms may sound fancy, but when you get down to it, they’re usually overpriced for what they are. Most restaurants charge $20 or more for just a few mushrooms filled with cheese and breadcrumbs.
You could easily make a whole tray of stuffed mushrooms at home for much less, and they’d likely taste better because you can customize the filling to your liking.
Fried calamari is a staple appetizer at many restaurants, but it’s often not worth the price tag. You’re paying $12 or more for a small plate of fried squid that’s mostly breading. While it’s a fun treat, it’s hard to justify the cost when you can make it at home for much less.
Buying calamari at the grocery store and frying it up yourself is not only cheaper, but you also get to control the seasoning and portion size. And let’s face it, homemade calamari is almost always better than the restaurant version.
Onion rings are a classic side, but they’re often overpriced at restaurants. You’re coughing up $7 to $9 for a small plate of fried onions, which is something you can make at home for pennies. Sure, they’re crispy and delicious, but they’re not worth the markup you’re paying at most places.
Making onion rings at home is easy, and you can experiment with different batters and spices to get them just right. Plus, you’ll get a lot more for your money.
Queso dip is another popular appetizer that’s often overpriced. Restaurants can charge more than $10 for a small bowl of melted cheese, which is essentially just Velveeta with some spices thrown in.
Instead of paying restaurant prices for something so simple, make queso at home. You can customize it with your favorite cheeses and toppings, and it’ll taste just as good, if not better, than what you’d get at a restaurant.
Chicken wings are a favorite bar snack, but they’re often priced outrageously at restaurants. A plate of wings can easily cost $12 to $15 for just a few pieces. Given how inexpensive chicken wings are at the store, it’s hard to justify paying that much.
Making wings at home is easy, and you can control the sauce, seasoning, and cooking method. You’ll get way more wings for your money and won’t feel like you overpaid.
Fried zucchini may sound healthy, but it’s just zucchini slices dipped in batter and fried. Restaurants tend to charge $8 to $10 for this simple dish, which is something you can definitely make at home for much less.
Skip the overpriced zucchini and make your own crispy, delicious version at home. You can season it however you like and save yourself some cash in the process.
Crab cakes might seem like a fancy option on a menu, but they often fall short in value. You’re often charged upwards of $15 for a small portion that’s more breadcrumbs than crab. That’s right, the “crab” part of the cake is often diluted with fillers, making it a disappointing bite for what you paid.
If you’re craving crab cakes, buy fresh crab at the store and make them yourself. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also ensure you’re biting into more seafood than breadcrumbs.
Sliders, those adorable mini burgers, are usually offered as an appetizer, but they can be shockingly overpriced. You could easily spend $10 to $12 on two or three sliders when a full-sized burger is often just a few bucks more.
Skip the tiny burgers that don’t satisfy you and go for the real deal instead. Or, better yet, make sliders at home where you can control the quality of the meat and the toppings. Your wallet, and your stomach, will thank you.
Ah, garlic bread. It’s a beloved classic, but also one of the simplest dishes to make at home. Restaurants often charge $5 to $8 for a few slices of bread with butter, garlic, and maybe some parsley thrown on top.
You can make an entire loaf of garlic bread at home for a fraction of the price. It’s easy, and you can load it up with as much garlic and butter as your heart desires without the inflated cost.
Potato skins are a pub favorite, but when you break down the cost, they’re just an overpriced potato with a little bit of cheese, bacon, and sour cream. Restaurants tend to charge $8 to $15 for this simple dish, which is something you could make at home for a fraction of the price.
Why pay more for a snack that’s literally made from what’s usually tossed out as scraps? Cook them yourself, add your own toppings, and keep more cash in your pocket.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
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