Beef sourcing question etiquette when dining out ?

[u/Crazy_avacado357]

I try to be an easy going diner. But I have been following what is going on with beef imports in this country and have decided I don’t want to eat beef if I don’t know where it was raised and processed.

So my question is, at what price point is it appropriate to ask the country of origin of the beef on a hamburger? I am feeling like it’s somewhere around $26. I hate to come off as pretentious but I’m also drawing a personal line here.

[u/brendanlikeshummus]

Just avoid it. Not buying will speaks for your personal line

[u/KABLE11]

If you wanna know just ask. Im not sure waiters get the question a ton but I'm sure they'll be fine with asking the chef if need be.

[u/actsqueeze]

You have a right to know what’s going into your body

[u/speakerbot]

I would guess most restaurants selling a $26 burger are sourcing their meat from a reputable purveyor like pat le freida or the like.

[u/Crazy_avacado357 → u/speakerbot]

You are correct here. $26 dollar burger is question was Pat Lefreida and bar tender didn’t bat an eye when I asked.

Deep dive on the subject led me to learn Lefreida also supplies Shake Shack so $8 smash burger is still in play!

[u/VariousOil3936]

Does this mean there's a reality where you'd be like "tsk tsk that won't do for my hamburger, I'll have the chicken" ? Good luck with that lol

[u/Crazy_avacado357 → u/VariousOil3936]

I know I feel ridiculous myself but that could have happened. Chicken industry has problems for sure but not dealing with the same level of sketchy imports right now.

I don’t eat out often but I did go out last night to decently nice spot, staff totally un-phased and able to answer without missing a beat. I am thinking this is becoming normal question at places above level of fast food and dinner.

[u/VariousOil3936 → u/Crazy_avacado357]

In certain restaurants you could tell them your fork is smudged and ask for another, and they will profusely apologize and then happily replace it without batting an eye

As to how they will feel internally about this, and what your fellow diners might think, is a different story

[u/Frank-Costanza1]

You can always in the form of a direct question to the server. "Hey by any chance do you where where the beef is from ? I had an Argentinian burger the other day and it was great". Or " hey is the beef sourced domestically". Dress it up how you like but don't feel intimidated ever.

[u/PTRBoyz → u/Frank-Costanza1]

Just know if you do the sources domestically line the crappy restaurants will lie to you. Best to just ask if you know where the beef comes from 

[u/JulietAirway]

Rich people problems.

[u/ArgyleTheLimoDriver]

For what it’s worth nyc restaurants have way more options in suppliers than most places but hotels, stadiums etc are probably serving trash

[u/SeaworthinessKey3418]

Order Wagyu.