After an eternity of gazing at varioustasty selections on the menu, you’ve finally chosen your main dish.

You confidently tell the server you’re going for that Chilean sea bass.

She gushes about your selection, making you feel like you made the absolute best decision.

steakhouse sides

Shutterstock

Then she asks, “Whatsideswould you like with your entree?”

You weren’t expecting that!

You frantically flip through the menu, wondering why your dish didn’t already come with sides.

Article image

Shutterstock

Here are some usual misses to avoid in the side dish category.

But think twice before you indulge.

First of all, bread is filling.

grilled asparagus on wooden surface

Shutterstock

You should save room in your belly for tasty and unique appetizers and your main dish.

“Additionally, guests can be given bread from the night before if the restaurant was slow.”

The only exception is if the restaurant has a notable bread program ormakes its bread in-house.

fries with cheese and bacon

Shutterstock

Instead, she prefers something more creative, like seasonal vegetables.

Thought and development go into creating side dishes that showcase the vegetables of the region and season.

I honestly look for and want to order those at the restaurants where I dine," she says.

mac and cheese

Shutterstock

“How about some pan-roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and balsamic?

Garlicky spinach, anyone?

What about roasted red potatoes with aioli and spicy tomato sauce, a.k.a.

mashed potatoes bowl

Shutterstock

Mac and cheese

It’s a time-testedcomfort foodof choice for sure.

And it might be hard to pass on all that creamy, cheesy pasta goodness.

But celebrity chefKai Chasesays she never orders mac and cheese when dining out.

chicken and wild rice soup with vegetables

Shutterstock

That’s the ticket!”

Or, if you need something salty with a little crisp, opt forBrussels sprouts.

A version of this story was originally published on October 29, 2022.

It has been updated to include new information.