To think It's not THAT odd to order a baked potato instead of chips, with a burger?

[Marygoround22]

Went for a pub lunch with my friend on Sunday.
Ordered a burger and asked for baked potato instead of chips.
I just don't favour the chips in this particular pub, and it saves fat/calories.

When my lunch arrived my friend was aghast (not exaggerating) kept repeatedly telling me how odd it was, that 'burgers go with chips that's that!' and 'You can order a baked potato on the menu anyway, so that's like you've got TWO meals!'
I see the point there but, a baked potato has fewer calories than a portion of chips, so doesn't that sort of negate that point at least?

I had the same comment a few years ago on a work do too-although they just made one comment rather than repeated ones.

There's a pub near me that offers any side with a burger, including baked potatoes, whereas most places I have to ask for a swap.

I kind of proved my friends' point in this pub on Sunday though, because the burger came with guacamole and roast veg on it, and I couldn't fit it into my mouth so I used them as a topping for the potato so I suppose that DID make it into two meals in the end!

Whichever political party brings in
Roast potatoes are a main meal
has my vote on Thursday.

A lot of people here are confusing “weird” with “things I don’t (think I would) like”.

The world is full of infinite options. Just because someone else’s choices are different from yours, doesn’t make them weird. Just different.

(except the roast potatoes thing. I stand by that)

Some people practically turn inside out when you do something off-script.

I guess it's just a bit surprising because it's an unusual combo and most people would have probably just ordered something other than a burger if calorie-watching. It's not a particularly healthy food!

But yeah, your friend shouldn't have been so judgemental. It's a bit weird but not a big deal. And it's really off putting when someone repeatedly makes comments about what you are eating.

My parents did this to me once when I had pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, they said about 5 times how awful it was and they would never eat it, to the point I was just like "OK. Can we move on now please?!" and it kind of spoiled the meal.

BP = US name, JP = UK name. Originally.

It's unusual. But there's nothing wrong with it. People should mind their own business about what other people eat. I love spuds in any form, but chips/fries would usually be last on my list of preferences, so I can definitely see myself preferring a baked potato. I would eat a plate of just boiled potatoes with a bit of salt as a dinner, if I didn't feel stupidly guilty for not having a bit of variety😆 Or champ. A big bucket of champ. I'm bloody starving now!

It's weird.
I am by no means a competitive under eater but a Jacket spud is a meal and so is a burger but its not the size/calories that would give me pause its the weirdness.
However, if that's what you wanted I wouldn't consider it worthy of comment

Baked potatoes are only nice if served with their own weight in butter which negates any health benefits gained from avoiding chips. Delicious though.

Back in the 70s Pizzaland (the only fast food pizza place around back then) served a main meal of 2 slices of pizza, a serving of coleslaw and a baked potato. Reading it now, it sounds disgusting but then it was the hautest of cuisines.

I was the only one of my friends living away from home back then and if we were really broke we'd all chip in to recreate this Pizzaland favourite in the Baby Belling oven of my bedsit. We thought ourselves most sophisticated.

Fries are the more conventional option but a baked potato is perfectly fine. Tbh if you wanted spaghetti or ice cream on the side that would be fine too as it's what you want. I wouldn't have thought a baked potato would generate more than a raised eyebrow ...

Sometimes friends can be judgmental when you pick a healthier option. One friend used to constantly do this to me saying "you've got to live" when I did that. Special meals kind of became a battle ground. Eventually, I pulled her up on it and she admitted it was because she felt me having the healthier option was showing up her less healthy choice. I don't know if that could be the case with your friend?

Enjoy whatever side you like. It's by experimenting with food that new dishes and recipes are created. See yourself as a burger and baked potato pioneer! You never know, you might be starting the next trend. :)

I'd do it. I probably have!

I don't think it's that weird of a combination. I used to work in a pub and had this swap requested several times. Out of all the crazy things i've heard customers request on their meals this wouldn't even make the top 100. It was rude of your friend to keep commenting on your choice of meal, who cares what kind of potato you order as long as you enjoy it!

A baked potato is a separate meal to me (as in I’d have it with a salad or something plus toppings on top) so I’d not order it with a burger regardless of toppings included.

But it doesn’t really matter what I would do or what I would like, it’s not me eating it. It’s you. If you like it that’s all that matters, your friend is rude to comment on it.

It's unusual but not suspicious

Yes it’s weird. I wouldn’t swap chips for a jacket. I’d rather just have the burger on its own. A jacket potato doesn’t go with a burger IMO.

@Marygoround22 If that’s your choice good for you .
I wouldn’t eat what was seen as socially acceptable .
Your taste buds, your body , your money lol
Enjoy!

Is it actually fewer calories, by the time you've put butter or whatever on it? I don't know the answer, but it often seems to me that the healthy/low calorie options aren't much different.

Eh? I almost always ask for a baked potato instead of chips!

Why does anyone else care what you want to eat?

I always say there are no rules when it comes to eating. Same when cooking and baking. I never use scales or measure. It’s trial and error, but I’ve made stuff using different ingredient weights to recipes, and it can taste better. Adapt to your own pallets!

I didn't have butter on it, FWIW.

All the posters saying it's weird, please inform the food establishments who think it's OK to offer it to coeliacs! It's quite common for chips to be fried with gluten containing foods and so you get offered a gluten free burger with a jacket potato.

It's not weird and a baked potato is only a meal on its own if you choose to think of it in that way. There are some bloody odd people on this thread.

I really wouldn't care what you chose to eat.

I don’t think this weird at all. I’m quite surprised at the amount of people who do.

Im not a big fan of chips as they are terribly unhealthy and a baked potato is much better choice. Most peoples diets are complete garbage though so I generally don’t listen to people who comment on my food. It’s strange that your friend went on and about it, are they very unhealthy? Sometimes people like that don’t understand why people make different choices with food

HOW CAN A BAKED POTATO BE MORE FILLING THAN CHIPS THAT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL THEY ARE BOTH POTATO.

OP you are logical and your friend is so hidebound by convention that she can’t think straight.

burgers and jacket potatoes are common BBQ food so why would it be werid to order them when out? I had a burger with a potato for dinner a couple nights ago in air fryer. Lovely