The Surprising Thing You Should Avoid Ordering at a Steakhouse

We’ve all heard how to order steak: medium-rare, which translates to an internal temperature of 135°F. Most chefs recommend this temperature, as it brings out the flavour while ensuring that the cut stays tender, and also allows a little more time for a nice char on the outside.

But if you order your steak medium-rare these days, you might get it quite a bit more “rare” than you bargained for.

Why your medium-rare steak is being served raw

The reason for this mishaps is not due to a personal affront from the chef or your server. It primarily comes down to one thing: cost.

The truth is that costs are rising all across the board. A quality pound of rib eye that was $6 two years ago now sells for $8. Rents are climbing. Labor costs are increasing. And competition between restaurants is fierce, resulting in even more expense as restaurants try to out-do each other with decor and advertising.

How cost impacts cooking 

If a customer finds that their steak is underdone and they send it back, it’s easy to put that steak on the grill for a few more minutes and have it out to the table with no lost cost. However, if the table finds that their steak is overdone, that steak has to be thrown out, and the restaurant loses the money on the product. Pressured by tight profit margins, chefs tend to err on the side of caution, which can result in under-cooked steaks.

Would rather cook your own medium-rare steak? This Strip Loin Steak with Cilantro Sunflower Sauce is a must-try recipe.

Get the steak you ordered

To keep a raw steak from hitting your table, be communicative with your server about what you’re looking for. Order your steak “medium-rare-plus,” not quite medium but more cooked than medium-rare. This ensures you’re getting the juicy, ready-to-eat steak you’ve been waiting for. Bon appétit!

Next, check out grilling mistakes that could easily make you sick.