Burns My Bacon: An Open Letter to the Salt & Pepper Shaker Filler Upper
You know we always love a good rant here on ES, so it’s time to introduce our newest feature: Grinds My Gears Burns My Bacon.
As much as I love food, there are just so many little thing to complain about. Every time I go to a restaurant, deli, grocery store or coffee shop there is always something that’s just not right. It’s usually a simple thing that can be easily rectified but it persists, probably because no one has ever complained about it before. Not any more, people of ES. I’m not prepared to sit back any longer. This is a time that demands action. So, without further ado, here is your first Burns My Bacon:
You know what Burns My Bacon? Salt & pepper shakers, that’s what.
When I go to shake a little salt and pepper over my dinner I expect some of that spicy and salty goodness to effortlessly flutter over my food. What I don’t expect is for me to have to unscrew the top of the shaker and pour some in my hand to sprinkle on my food. Why do I have to do this, you ask? I’ll tell you. The smart ass who thinks it’s efficient to fill the salt and pepper so far to the top that there is no room to move, that’s why. So, Mister Salt & Pepper filler upper, don’t fill up to the top! It’s not right, it’s not funny and it’s just plain annoying.
(Photo: Svadlifari)
I appreciate tiny salt and pepper grinders.
Also, the candle in the water thing is so 2005.
Let’s move on people.
You know what pisses me off? When the salt gets so clumpy that you can’t get anything out. Watch your shit, people! Don’t let that old, sweaty salt get all clumpy. Ugh and pizza places can be the worst. Sometimes you can shake that parm for hours and barely a crumb falls out.
Here’s another:
butter so ice cold that it is impossible to spread on the bread
While it serves a genuine purpose, I also think keeping rice in the salt shaker is kind of trashy. It really burns my fake-on.
The temperature and consistency of the butter is absolutely one of the measures of the quality of a restaurant…for Elizabeth it’s a total deal-breaker if there’s cold, hard butter (even when we’re being good and passing on the bread altogether).
Having worked in many different restaurants, I can tell you that waitstaff is often asked to “top off” the shakers at the end of the night. Filled shakers look better, even if it is impractical. I’d assume the owners/managers also want to make sure the shakers don’t run empty (though that would probably take weeks to happen).
I am so using “that really burns my fake-on”.
I could not agree more..The salt and pepper should not be filled to the top….how many times have I done the same, ……unscrew the salt shaker…uggg……and I agree about the butter too, keep it room temp please….and one more thing. When did the memo go out to not set the table with a spoon….looks like someone forgot how to set the table, plus spoons are very handy! And might as well add one more….don’t put the” customer” copy on top of the credit card payment papers. Nothing is more annoying than to have to do the tip and signature twice after you figure this out.