Queen of Substitutions
Hey bloggies hey! It’s FRIDAY 
What are you up to this weekend??
I’m going to be planning out my life, chilling with the fam and Tucson friends, and making up for lost vegetables 
When the Madre and I got into Tucson last night, my grandparents suggested getting Sweet Tomatoes to-go since we were all hungry and I was craving a salad beast.
I got the above salad (greens, jicama, egg, garbanzo beans, olives, red pepper, mushrooms, carrots and beets with balsamic) and made a twin salad for my bro’s girlfriend. The two of us also shared a small black bean soup and I ate one of the wheaty muffins off of this platter:
I curled onto the comfy chair and fell asleep watching novelas with the fam. Glorious
This morning, my bro and I hit up The Fanfreakingtastic Egg (aka the Good Egg) for some b-fast.
I was dubbed the Queen of Substitutions.
Traditional Day Starter with scrambled eggs, black beans instead of potatoes, and a house salad with balsamic on the side instead of an English muffin.
Menus are just suggestions, mmm k?
Plan for the day:
-Check out the place where the pups and I will be living
-Car wash
-Check out potential Dance Trance studio
-Dance Trance call
-yoga (my aching back and legs could use a little stretching)
-Interview
-Buddy the Elf and vegan hot cocoa
See ya later today!!!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: Are you a substitution queen too? What do you usually change about your meals? I like to ask for toppings/dressing on the side, no cheese, and salad instead of something. I’m always friendly and polite to the server so they don’t seem to mind my ordering antics.
*Sun Warrior promo update: Finally!! We’re going to be doing something new for my OpenSky promos- we’ll have a follow page and if you click to follow, you’ll be able to get the sahweet deals if you like. I’ll post the link to the follow page when it’s up and running! xoxo
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You have to feel so great finally being there! How exciting.
I really don’t sub much besides dressing on the side, but that is only because I don’t like dressing. And I rarely eat salads… lol.
you are such a busy body! do you ever slow down!?
Good luck with house, dancetrance and interview!
nope, i thrive on busy 🙂
thank you!
Yay for being home with family 🙂 I’m sure it feels great to be back! Buddy the Elf and vegan hot cocoa sounds like the perfect way to end your first official day back home. Hope the rest of your weekend is amazing 🙂
I’m a waitress so I can’t help but keep my substitutions to a minimum and I SO appreciate all you polite substituters out there 🙂 it makes all the difference… When I do sub though it’s usually for non dairy milk, dressing on the side and water with no ice. So
glad you made it to AZ safely!
Good luck with the interview and the rest of your day! 🙂
What telenovelas is your family into? Beware: those are addicting!
soy tu duena!!
i’m already hooked, haha
I knew it! Most of my family is obsessed with it. I am not much of a novela person, but I do get sucked in when my husband(!) watches that one in particular. 🙂
Mainly at restaurants I ask for things on the side and no cheese — and yes, I am always super polite and try to choose “easy” substitutions. Oh, and I tip well 🙂
I’m glad you made it to AZ safe and sound! How exciting/nervewracking to do what you are doing: planning your life, interviews, etc. I know you’ll do great!
The people at the deli across from where I work CRINGE when I walk in the door because of all of my substitution requests. I pretty much make up my own menu there, but they’ve learned to love me…I think! 😛
I probably make more substitutions on salads than anything else. It also depends on who my company is. Sometimes I don’t want to seem like too much of a hassle.
Since I started reading your blog I’ve been substituting way more! You are right, servers don’t seem to mind at all. It makes going out to eat more enjoyable.
I always make substitutions as well; sauces/condiments on the side, grilled or poached protein, dressing on the side, veggies instead of fries or white rice – i used to feel embarrased to make subsitutions, but I’ve learned its all in how you ask for them and treat your server with respect. Now, if I’m going to a Rick Bayless or Bobby Flay restaurant, I run with the entree as prepared by the chef – its not everyday you get to taste foods created by such culinary masterminds!
Good luck with the interview today and happy house hunting.
Is there a Dance Trance studio here in Tucson?! WHERE!?!??!
not yet, but i’m starting one 🙂
Exciting! That’s awesome Gina!
I ALWAYS use substitutions! My husband always laughs but its the only I can keep up with the social eating scene. After I work on giving them my list of substititions, I start on all 3 kids. Gotta keep the kidos healthy too! although I have been allowing my 6 year old to give them her list herself. Makes her feel like a big girl and keeps her feeling like she is the one choosing to eat healthier!
BUDDY the elf is my fav!!!!! I am so glad you made here in AZ safe and sound and your already feeling at peace. <3 nothing better than that 🙂
Hey Gina!
I was doing this new workout dvd and thought of you. It’s called The Bar Method dancers body by: Marnie Alton Really fun and challenging.
Thanks for all your inspiring recipes! The goat cheese butternut squash lasagna and the peppermind almond tea have become favorites 🙂
that sounds amazing!! i’ll check it out:)
My my. You are high maintenance aren’t you! Good thing you moved back in with your parents! You’ll wear out your welcome there soon too. It’s also a good thing there are guests blogging because this was turning onto a soap opera!
i didn’t move back with my parents, i’m getting my own place.
i came here to be surrounded by positive energy, unlike yours. i disapproved your last hateful comment but am going to leave this one up here…
after all, my husband is fighting a war to protect your freedom to be a jerk if you so choose
ZING. Go Gina.
I wish blog comments had a “like” button. Way to assert yourself…we’re all behind you!
Go Gina. What a pseudo-family member jerk. 🙁
Wow Cheryl! You’re a piece of work! Do you seriously have nothing better to do then sit behind your computer screen and write nasty comments? Didn’t your mother teach you that if you had nothing nice (or constructive) to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all?
If you are a regular reader of Gina’s blog you should know that she barely ever mentions tough stuff going on in her life… she’s very upbeat.
How about you don’t visit this blog anymore, okay? 🙂
Gina- it’s obvious Cheryl feels pretty bad about herself to rip on someone else! Wonder what makes a person need to insult someone publicly? Well, aside from the obvious low self esteem. Funny that those people don’t choose to just be kind and stop reading if they don’t like it, but rather choose to use bullying and unkind comments. Sad. Good luck on your adventures, Gina!
Yikes, I think we can all tell who “Cheryl” is. No wonder you left! Don’t let the meanies get you down. 🙂
This is definitely your Aunt in disguise. Wow.
If “Cheryl” is really a family member, then I am so sorry you’ve had to deal with that. I had similar issues in the past with family that just wants to bring you down. You know what, though? This isn’t a competition…and if it was, you’ve already “won” by keeping your spirits up and not letting it overrun your life. They want to see you down, but you’ve just risen above it. If you just compare those 2 types of personalities, I think it’s easy to see who the better person is. <3 you and the blog!
Is this your aunt? WOW! Seriously, Gina — she doesn’t deserve you in her life if that’s the case!
I’m still so shocked that this post generated even one negative comment. It was just a fun post, nothing serious! There’s WAY more important things to get upset over in this world then subsituting things at restaurants.
Wow, you must be having a terrible day if you feel the need to make a mean spirited comment like that. She blogs about her life. Life isn’t always peachy. If you don’t like it, don’t read her blog. You didn’t have to take the energy to bring someone else down just to make yourself feel better.
Life is too short to be in a situation that makes one unhappy whether they are living conditions or paying for something on a menu that is not exactly what you want. Substitute away, girl!
I hope this was all total sarcasm that just didn’t come across well. Not nice Cheryl, not nice.
into*
Thanks for keeping it real Gina! I love reading blogs that speak the truth, whether good or bad. You inspire me!
NO ONE that is truly happy with their life, had inner peace, etc. would treat another person like this — especially another family member.
You are a ball of positive energy. Perhaps there was some jealously over that 😉
hate takes so much more energy than love, & when life is so short, why waste the energy?
Cheryl, you are seriously creeping me out. You seem like a very malicious person from the vibe I am getting. I don’t understand people like you, and I don’t want to.
It’s not just the server you may be annoying with substitutions, you (and I mean ‘you’ in general) are most likely upsetting the chef and/or kitchen staff who work tirelessly to create a tasty entree with flavors that compliment eachother. It’s one thing to request your sauce on the side, but it’s certainly another to re-create the entire dish. Hopefully you’re compensating when it comes to the bill. In most cases, tips are shared with the kitchen staff who have just gone out of their way for you.
Well nowadays, so many people have allergies and strong likes/dislikes so I’m sure chefs and restaurants are used it! I always laugh when I go out with my friends because between the 5 of us, we have to deal with a nut allergy, lactose intolerance, a vegetarian, a dairy allergy and a shellfish allergy! And never has a restaurant ever not been more than happy to deal with our unique situation! 🙂
I’m gonna have to go ahead and disagree, Christina. You shouldn’t have to pay more tip-wise if you’re making substitutions like a salad or beans instead of potatoes. Especially if you’re just at a diner. It’s a different story if you’re out at a nice establishment with a great chef, but at your run of the mill restaurants/diners I’m gonna go ahead and bet that most of the cooks there don’t really care ( at least that’s what I’m told by friends who work in diners or chain restaurants). And I wouldn’t call throwing pre-made salad into a bowl “going out of their way for you”.
I’m sorry but this isn’t even kind of true.
I’ve worked in several restaurants, as has my husband, and waiters and chefs are totally used to making substitutions and no one really give a damn. Also, I don’t think anyone ‘tirelessly worked’ to think of the epic egg, hash brown, and english muffin combo.
Why do you have to be so critical?
I wasn’t being critical. As I said ‘you’ in general. Just simply answering Gina’s question. Obviously an egg, hash, and English muffin dish isn’t something that requires a TON of skill, I was more referring to a restaurant with a chef who creates an entire menu all his/her own. That definitely requires time, thought, research, etc.
I certainly understand allergies, but the preferences of diners has gotten out of control recently. And I am speaking from experience from a nationally acclaimed restaurant (not chain or diner). My feelings echo those from the staff I work with – back and front of the house.
Just trying to provide a glimpse into the other side of the story – as there’s always two.
i understand your side of the point, and as someone who worked in the restaurant industry for over 7 years, i see both sides. however, most fancy restaurants that work to create dishes where the flavors complement each other will specify no substitutions. we had so many people substitute items at my restaurant that we revamped the menu and computer system to accommodate everyone’s preferences. times they are a-changin
Christina, have you ever worked in a restaurant? Under normal circumstances, a GOOD restaurant will train their servers to help customers with substitutes, and also be respectful of food allergies, special diets, even celiac disease.
As someone who waited tables for 3 years, I’m appalled that you would make it sound like we want more than a suitable tip, simply for writing some extra notes down and communicating it to the cooking staff, who are also trained very well in food allergies and special diets.
As a former server, I can guarantee you waitstaff and cooks could care less about your substitutions, they just want to serve you, keep you happy, and get you going so they can serve someone else.
I think this is an interesting debate. I just read this tweet on twitter:
@offalchris
The first 10 orders all want to change & edit each of the dishes! This isn’t connect the dots it’s called a menu!!
As a wannabe chef, I can understand the frustration he would have in having to rework his plans and cater to individual needs so much. However, as a business person, I think he needs to suck it up and do it with a smile on his face, because that’s how you build friendships. And as someone with food allergies, I’d be appalled if a chef didn’t make a simple substitution to respect a diner’s specific diet.
I guess my opinion on the matter is that the customer is always right, even when they aren’t right. You do what they say and you do it with a smile on your face. The restaurant is in it for the business after all.
I have to say, I really admire what you are doing. You are brave and strong, and I wish you the best! Good luck with the interviews.
Don’t worry about the haters out there. I have worked at many restaurants during high school and college and I have never heard a negative response from the wait staff or kitchen staff for that matter. You are a paying customer and if they have the capability to do it, then they will.
Your breakfast looks amazing 🙂 Have a good day and good luck with everything you’ve got going on!!!
I am also the queen of substitutions as well- especially b/c the hubz and I are vegan- when we go to non-vegan restaurants or ones that don’t have vegan options we always sub. Like last night we went to our favorite gastro pub and they have a yummy housmade tofu burger but it comes with cheese on top and then bun has dairy it so I always sub sauteed kale for the bun and ask for no cheese and I sub salad for fries!
WHAT?? I didn’t even KNOW you could get Sweet Tomatoes to go… we LOVE that place – well, I love the salads 🙂
glad you’re getting settled, have a great weekend <3
I make substitutions a lot, though I usually try to keep it to just a couple of changes. Rarely do I send something back if they mess it up though. I leave good tips too! I think the tip says, “thank you for putting up with my special-ness!”
Most restaurants/servers are pretty accomodating if you’re polite! I’ve only ever been to one restaurant where they refused me 😮 and my wishes! Boourns.
It’s going to feel so great once you settle down into your new life! I hope that the pilot man comes home for Christmas (if he doesn’t, I hope the puppers/your family can keep you company!) <3
I've always wanted to move away from my hometown… and if my parents ever move to Kelowna, British Columbia like they've wanted to, my fiance & I just may pack up and move too… it has nice mild winters and it's a very walkable city! I just wouldn't be able to move somewhere that was 10+ hours away from family, it would be too hard for me.
I’ve worked in many restaurants with many chefs in my life, and it’s just part of the job. No one is getting upset over this, it’s the hospitality business. I used to have fun with my customers finding good ways to substitute their meals, sure it’s more work, but when the customer is polite and thankful it’s not a big deal. I often make substitutions and thank the waitress with a healthy tip!
(or waiter)
I am so glad you have found a place that makes you happy. It is amazing that I can read the difference just in the way you write your posts! I can’t imagine how hard the past few months have been, but it is smooth sailing once you find a place that sets your soul at ease 🙂
I am a substitution freak. I was a waitress all through high school AND college, so I know all you need is a sweet smile, a please and thank you, and a fat tip to reward that hard earned service! I don’t think I EVER order something as-is. There is always some way I can make it my own 🙂
The only thing I ever substitute is bleu cheese instead of cheddar cheese. Mmm! 🙂
Buddy the ELFF!!! Enjoy the movie.
Sounds like a great day in a new/old city!
I have a lot of food allergies so I am also the queen of substitutions – I always try to ask the waiters as nicely as possible with my request and I find that 90% of the places I go to are more than happy to accommodate.
Good luck with the interviews!
Like you said, I think the key is being super polite! And after having eaten with you several times, I can vouch that you definitely are 🙂 Plus, as others have pointed out, it’s quite different to request substitutions at a low-key place than, if, say, you’re dining at a Bobby Flay restaurant. I ask for substitutions ALL THE TIME, and when I worked as a waitress it only bothered me if people were rude or demanding about it. People eat in all sorts of ways because of dietary restrictions and other lifestyle choices. Restaurants are used to it 🙂
AMEN to that!
Yayyyy for making it to Tuscon!! And yummy eats:) I sub a lot (a lot!) too, it’s no biggie:) Chefs love to serve you good food that you want to eat, so keep on doing your thang:)
Good luck with Dance Trance. I have my fingers crossed for you!:)
I’m glad you are where you will be happy, no matter how temporary, Gina. Don’t let some onlooker make you feel bad about moving and changing jobs and whatnot. She can’t even begin to understand all the factors at play simply from reading your blog because, as every blogger knows, you just can’t share everything. She doesn’t like your ‘soap opera,’ then she doesn’t have to follow it. You do what’s best for you, because first and foremost, you are who is important. Good luck, hon. Be well.
I’ve waitressed allll kinds of places, and bartended too, and the only time I’ve been irked by substitutions is when we were really really busy. Otherwise, no big deal. That said, any irked-ess would totally be resolved by a healthy tip. 🙂
And Cheryl, there’s this saying…if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Learn it, live it, love it. It will make people who haven’t even met you want to kick you less.
I do often make substitutions but my policy is that if I am changing too much, I find something else to eat. Then if something comes back and it is incorrect, I rarely ever take it back. It just isn’t worth it.
Glad you are in Tuscon surrounded by positive energy, even though it seems some people just want to bring negativity back. Don’t let ANYONE make you feel bad/insignificant/etc. you are amazing and strong. No one knows your unique situation, and those that want to spew hate are only going to be more unhappy in the end. I don’t know how people can be so cruel. Bullies, that’s all. I’m so glad you made it safely with your family.
Now, as a former server, subs are no big deal. I get that it can be a big deal in a nicer restaurant where the chef works to create the menus, but even then..people these days have so many different allergies/dietary preferences it’s becoming so normal. As long as your nice about it(which, of course, I’m sure you are) then I don’t see the big deal. Sub on, girl!
I’m glad you arrived safely! It’ll be even sweeter to be home for the holidays! 🙂
I try to go by the rule of making one substitution or change per order. I think that’s pretty reasonable, but the point of a restaurant is not to create your own meal, and a menu is NOT actually just a suggestion! It’s based on what they have available, the quantities they have of things, what goes with what, etc. I think that unless the menu specifically has a choice of sides that you are supposed to choose from (or someplace like starbucks, where they want you to customize your drink), you shouldn’t be super creative about your meal.
Amen!!
i should have mentioned that good egg has a list of possible sides to choose from if you want to change things. i only choose from what’s on the list, and it’s no biggie
I’m a substitution queen, too! My husband and I are creatures of habit, and usually eat at the same restaurants often– so the servers know me there, and know that my crazy salad order is coming! (and I do tip extra if they are super-nice about accommodating me!)
In response to some of the critical comments above, I was a waiter for 5 years and served some of the most picky customers out there! And the kitchen staff I worked with wasn’t very happy about substitutions– but it was still their job to accommodate their customers! And it was my job as a server to make that happen, regardless of the bad attitudes I had to deal with. That’s just part of the job– which included sharing my tips with the rude kitchen staff. But I don’t think it should discourage you from being picky– after all, you’re PAYING to eat there, and you should get what you want! And as long as you’re asking nicely, it shouldn’t be a problem.
(If the customer was really rude about the substitutions, though, I’d charge them for it!) So it definitely pays to be nice and tip well, especially if you’re going to be a “regular.” 😉
I substitute at restaurants all the time! And you’re exactly right, as long as you’re polite–no one cares! 🙂
can i join you for buddy the elf and hot cocoa?! pretty please?! 🙂
yes 🙂
YES I am definitely a substitution queen!! I used to feel rude/bad/annoying doing it, but really, with the price that you pay to eat out, it might as well be something you’re going to like and eat all of right? Have a great afternoon Gina! 🙂
I’ve been a server for a long time in a variety of establishments, and at every one, all a substitution took was pushing a few extra buttons at the computer. Most POS (point of service) systems have functionalities built in for this exact purpose — it takes two buttons (or sometimes just one) to indicate “no” “cheese”; “sub” “house salad”; “dressing” “on side” … you get the picture. As long as you are very clear about what you want, and you are polite when you ask, I don’t have a problem with substitutions.
What really starts to grind my gears, though, is guests who won’t take “no” for an answer (the kitchen is not always equipped to make something off the dinner menu at 10:30 a.m., for example), or who are very rude/entitled about their requests.
I probably should make substitutions! But I don’t know why but I feel bad when I do. I know I shouldn’t and the husband encourages me to make them… I think I have some weird issues with self worth. =/
Can’t wait for the Sun Warrior Promo! Woohoo!
Happy to hear you’ve arrived safe and sound. I’ve never have had a problem with making substitutions FROM THE RESTAURANT, but MY FAMILY goes nuts! While my friends and boyfriend don’t care, or at least profess not to not give a fig, my dear parents and bros claim that it embarrasses them terribly, from which assertion they will then typically move on to their standard “why can’t you eat like a normal person” speech. Most of my substitutions simply translate into less work (meh, just put some fresh spinach plain on a plate) for the kitchen anyway, so I really don’t see the problem. I do, however, feel bad when, say, my parents are treating, and we’re at a fancy place, and my substitutions basically mean that they paid $40 dollars for a $6 dollar entree. I means, sure, you’ll always have mark-up, but I get things so damn plain, that I feel really awkward knowing that someone has bought for me something that has such a disproportionate cost (here I note that, to be sure, you’re also paying for the environment and service, blah blah, but I always counter to my family that the UTMOST PRINCIPLE should be the COMPANY [sorry for “shouting” but you can’t italicize in comments, haha), and couldn’t we enjoy one another’s company at a less pricey establishment that is more friendly to my tastes at least once in a blue moon).
Also, what are your thoughts on expiration dates for shelf items? I tend to always grab freebie swag bars of this and that, but rarely eat them, so I have some that are expired. For example, I have a honey graham clif z-bar that expired in October (God knows when I originally acquired it). Whaddya think? toss or keep?
Dinner Party Download! Add that to today’s to-do list 🙂
i will add it 🙂
for shelf items, usually i eat them before they expire 😉
Whoo, I’m headed to sweet tomatoes tonight! So excited for a massivenormous salad 🙂 Definitely more of an omission person than a substitution, but if it’s something minor I’ll absolutely go for it.
People who feel the need to write rude/mean comments are one of two things or both: jealous and/or unhappy in their own life. Gina, I’m glad that you are now surrounded by REAL family and love. I never comment, but I read your blog everyday and am always inspired by your positive attitude and healthy lifestyle. Don’t let the haters get you down, they are not worth even thinking about 🙂
I make all kinds of substitutions. Fruit for potatoes, egg whites instead of real eggs, wheat bread on sammies. I always try to be clear and polite, something I appreciated when I waited tables. I’ve never had a lot of backlash though I have had problems with things not coming out correctly.
Ohhhh yes. My boyfriend gets really annoyed with all of my substitutions…usually double veggies instead of rice, lettuce instead of rice in qdoba naked burritos, wheat bread instead of white, baked potato instead of fries (only sometimes!)…
hi gina!
long time follower/HUGE admirer/drooler over the pilot, just wanted to send my love and good thoughts to you!
Hope you don’t let the mean spirited comments get to you! You are a true inspiration and an amazingly strong person. I dated a sailor for many years and know how hard a deployment can be.. and that was before skype!
Be strong and keep doing exactly what your gorgeous self does.
And keep up with the substitutions, no wait staff or cook/chef cares one bit.
xo
I know there are people who feel substituting so much is rude, and I get embarrassed when I do it too much, but I know that’s MY issue, not theirs. And, isn’t it wasteful to order something you know you aren’t going to eat and leave it on your plate?
I felt more guilty until I watched When Harry Met Sally and Meg Ryan’s character basically made up her whole meal. She said to her dinner date, plain as day and unapologetic, “I want what I want.”
I never go anywhere without substituting! Like some other folks who commented, I have food allergies, but I’m also just plain picky! Anytime I go out for a meal, I always ask for dressing on the side, sub veggies, etc. I’ve found that as long as you do it with a smile, it’s usually just fine to request healthier options!