AIBU to think that eateries seem to refuse to serve steaks any rarer than medium-well done

[mrsm43s]

Lighthearted, and based on a meal out today, and subsequent conversation with DH. I'm talking about gastro pub/highstreet chain type restaurants, not hyper expensive gourmet restaurants or specialist steak houses.

So we went out for lunch today, chose steaks, and I requested mine medium-rare, which is how I like it. I did actually debate with DH about requesting rare in order to get med rare, but since it was the first time we'd eaten there, I thought I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and order what I actually wanted. My DH ordered medium.

What came out was medium-well for me, and well done for him.

This is not an isolated incident, so it became a topic of conversation for us, and we decided that my orders of Medium Rare almost inevitably come out way overdone, but never, ever underdone. DH's mediums are usually either OK or a touch overdone, but again, never, ever underdone.

Does anyone else find this? Like they don't want to actually serve anything less cooked than a medium?

Today we were eating in a chain restaurant, our meals were sub £20 a head for steak and chips, so I wasn't going to send it back or complain as you get what you pay for (probably not a chef, just someone popping the steak on the grill and turning at the time given on their instruction sheet!).

For reference, this is what my expectations of the rareness levels would be

Unless it’s a specialist steak place, or a high-end eatery .. I always order rare, and it comes as medium rare.

It’s not that they don’t want to, they just don’t have very good chefs!

All I would say is that when I worked in similar chain restaurants , pubs etc when I read younger, lots of people would order medium rare, then send it back as it was 'too rare' when it was actually cooked appropriately.
I like a rare steak and that's also hard to come by unless in a nice/independent restaurant. It's either over, or blue.

I order blue assuming I'll get rare. On the odd joyous occasion, I actually GET blue 🥳

I’ve never had a problem having medium rare every in what you describe pubs.

in fact one said place asked if I was sure I wanted it medium rare and I did say well I like it to be seared and rare and bleeding which I got, ruddy delish too. Husband was not amused as he likes his well done 😂

I very rarely get rare unless I cook it myself. The amount of times my rare has been stone cold in the middle is ridiculous. Order medium rare and its either medium or well done! I agree with the shit chef comment.

It’s funny, I used to find Wetherspoons despite being cheap and cheerful, always cooked their steaks right. I was informed by someone who worked there, it was because they bought all their steaks the exact same size and had exact instructions on how many minutes on each side so even not very good chefs could get it right. Not sure if this is still the case as not eaten meat for some years.

"Rare" isn't enough IME - to the French way and tell them you want it still bloody 😁

And sorry, but YABU not to send it back. Not about the price point but whether or not there was room for misunderstanding in what you ordered.

I've never had a good steak in spoons lol but I would never expect one 😂

Just send it back.
’ hi, it seems to be a bit overdone, I ordered rare’.

This is exactly what I do. I'd prefer it to be underdone than overdone.

Whilst I would have been well within my rights to send it back, I was having a perfectly lovely time having some food with my husband, and faffing around complaining and sending it back would have ruined the meal tbh. I'm not that stressed about it, it was a cheap steak meal, and perfectly pleasant, even if not cooked to my preference. It's more that it happens every.single.time.

I think I'm going to start ordering rare!

Ask for it "blue" or go to a specialist steak place and pay more. Or go to France?

I never even order a steak in a pub; it’s always overdone- I like blue steak though

I like medium rare too, but if I order steak in a chain place or a cheap & cheerful pub I usually ask for it rare because it is always over cooked.

I used to give the benefit of the doubt and ask for medium rare but had so many disappointments it's easier to ask for it rare and get it medium rare.

I don’t think ‘gastro pubs’ and high street chains should be lumped in together on this. IMO, good food pubs cater to a different clientele, and are more likely to cook steak to the customer’s requirements. The exception for chain restaurants is Miller & Carter where the wait staff go sneery if you don’t order rare.

Food cooked in a chain restaurant will be placed under hot lamps until it is picked up by a server, which could be a few minutes. Your steak continues to cook....so if in doubt, order one temperature rarer than you actually want