"Secret" menu items?

[Akasa]

I know for Jamba Juice a lot of their secret menu items are secret because their names violate trademarks so they can't put them on the menu, not because they're customer made.

[AccountingDrone]

Quoth Ironclad Alibi

Our favorite Chinese restaurant (House of Fortune in McLean, VA) also has a second menu that is in Chinese. The owners introduced us to several Chinese dishes that weren't on either menu. It is referred to as ordering "off menu."

One of our favorites is crispy kung pao chicken, which used to be on the menu but was dropped. Another one is orange chicken, which didn't used to be on the menu, but now is. A third dish is simply called "that Taiwan dish," which is a spicy pork dish. The owners also order a fish head stew that is not on any of the menus. I'm not up for trying that one.

I get general tso tofu at the chinese place that moved into canterbury a couple years ago. They add slivered garlic and ginger to it. It also has about double the normal amount of broccoli, and comes with brown rice instead of white or fried rice.

It really confuses people when I dig into a blood rare steak ... many people think I am vegetarian because I order so many tofu dishes when out to eat. I just also happen to like tofu =)

[FuzzyKitten99]

I don't really adhere to what is set on the menu for any restaurant. If I want something made differently or sub an ingredient for another (providing there is not a 'no substitutions' stated), I will custom-order anything if I have been to the place enough.

Such as the Tex-Mex place that is next to my cigar shop. I have eaten there so many times, and since we all know each other, I just have the owner or cooks chef me a custom version and they just charge me for the closest thing to it on the menu. I love their Southwest salad, but usually it is only a chicken breast on top and a choice of avocado ranch or chipotle ranch dressing. Good most of the time, but it tastes absolutely phenomenal with seasoned & sauteed shrimp and honey BBQ sauce straight up for the dressing. I actually think the owner changed the menu to offer the shrimp now.

My husband orders the meat-lovers burrito, but instead of beef & chicken, he gets ALL carne asada steak.

We get charged accordingly, but we know it and don't care. Plus I like knowing I can basically get anything I want on the menu and change it up as I see fit.

When we go to fast food places, being a veteran fast food worker, I rarely order the standard faire. Such as at Culvers, I order their fried chicken sandwich, but only have swiss cheese and mushrooms on it. Or McDonalds, I order the steak and mushroom wrap, but ask to sub grilled chicken for steak.

If anyone here makes it up to MN, there's a restaurant that I used to work at called Chianti Grill (I worked the one in Roseville, and there is another location in Burnsville). Every fall they have butternut squash ravioli, but will only serve it by request only. Meaning you have to know about it and ask for it. The servers won't offer and it is not advertised. Why? It's that good and they'd sell out too fast because there is only a small quantity made weekly. Other places sell a similar offering but Chianti Grill's is undoubtedly the best.

[Spork4pedro]

Quoth Akasa

I know for Jamba Juice a lot of their secret menu items are secret because their names violate trademarks so they can't put them on the menu, not because they're customer made.

Most Jamba "underground smoothies" are employee creations or just older smoothies that are discontinued (ex: the Pacific Passion) but there are a few that have been customer creations that gained popularity (like the PB and J)

Betcha can't guess where I worked forever.. We actually made a Capri Sun (Pacific Cooler) version that had a following during my tenure there. That and the Endless Lime are still my favs.

And of course In and Out. I lived on Animal style grilled cheeses and Animal style fries all through my pregnancy....mmmm....animal style fries.....I never knew that you could get them well done. I'll have to try that next time!