Redlemon

I don't eat out much, and I go to bars even less frequently. So, I might be missing some subtleties here, and I ask TFP to help sort me out.

I like to order a daiquiri. Not a frozen strawberry daiquiri, a daiquiri: just rum, lime, and sugar. However, trying to order this seems to confuse both waiters and bartenders.

How can I ask for this so that I get what I actually want without sounding like a pompous prick?

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Jinn

I didn't know such a thing existed. It makes sense, I suppose, since Daiquiri is always prefixed with a fruit, I'm sure it could be removed.

Since it seems a bit obscure, I doubt your run-of-the-mill waiter is going to know what it is, either. It's possible at a higher-end establishment (with better paid wait staff) that they know what you're asking for.

So my thought is that you either need to go to much more expensive restaurants, or you just need to specify how you did here; it's just rum, lime, and sugar.

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ratbastid

Any real bartender knows from a daiquiri. If your server doesn't understand, just say, "I don't mean some neon pink slushie, I mean a daiquiri. Ask the bartender."

kurty[B]

Yeah, just say (whatever brand of rum, with however much lime/lime juice, and however much sugar). You could try saying "strawberry daiquiri without the strawberry", but I'm sure that will throw waitstaff off.

If I'm picky about a drink I want made I'll go through the steps to make it, but generally you are better off telling a bartender that rather than waitstaff.

Redlemon

Happened again. We went to Outback Steakhouse, and the conversation went like this:

"I'd like a plain daiquiri." (I'm thinking that "plain" might be the magic word I've been missing all this time.)

Blank stare, slight pause. "Strawberry?"

"No, no fruit, not frozen. Just rum, lime, sugar, and ice."

"OK" she says, writing all of this down.

And the drink arrives at my table frozen. I hate sending things back, but I don't like my drinks frozen. The next one was correct.

Where did I go wrong this time?

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kurty[B]

Does that answer your question?

Redlemon

Well, I've got a 4 year old. He's pretty well behaved, but I'm not going to somewhere fancier than chain restaurants for a few more years.

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kurty[B]

I understand that, I'd just never expect the teenage servers at a chain restaurant to understand anything about drinks. I'd give them the benefit of the doubt if I said "marg, rocks no salt", and ended up with a slushy strawberry margarita with salt on the rim. I'd sent the drink back. If I were sitting at the bar at a chain restaurant and ordered direct from the bartender I would expect a bit more understanding.

Keep trying, and let us know how it goes. This sounds like one of those Credit Card signage stories. Use a fake signature and see how long it takes someone to actually look at the receipt and the back of your credit card type of scenario. Try different ways to get these servers to realize there is such a thing as just a daiquiri that has no fruit, just ice.

Oh, I just realized, the only thing I would change in your phrase

Is to replace ice with "on the rocks". That may or may not get you anywhere.

edmos1

yeah, please remember, you are using an intermediary, asking a wait person whose profession is not bartending (ok not with most chain restaurants either but, for sake of argument). Your waitstaff, now puts order into computer/bartender, with out knowing what you want. Bartender makes a drink that is similar to order. Waitstaff, can not verify order since they are not trained for this specialty type drink, and bring you something you do not want.
If you want your drink, I recommend going to the bar, to get it, especially if it is something off the beaten path. it will save the waitstaff a trip, if the bartender does not know it (and they ordered it correctly.)

Redlemon

Sounds like a plan, thanks.
That won't piss off the waitstaff? It's the first thing they ask when you reach the table, and I'd feel like I was being rude if I essentially said "I don't trust you to get my order right, I'm going to the bartender".

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Cynthetiq

actually I used to do that BEFORE sitting down. making sure that the bartender knew that an order was coming, and I'd leave a dollar tip. A pain in the ass to do, but it made sure that I got my drink the way I wanted it.

what a nice rich history the Daiquiri has...

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Randerolf

Sorry to hear about the communication problem Redlemon. If you have any doubt, that a waiter may not deliver what you want, simply describe exactly what you'd like and that goes for food also. A good server should repeat back your request. I'd recommend ""I'd like a classic daiquiri- light rum, lime juice, and simple syrup on the rocks.Thanks."

Then again, never underestimate of those working for $2.13 an hour.

Randerolf: Welcome to Fiddlepants! What can I get you to drink?
Redlemon: "I'd like a classic daiquiri- light rum, lime juice, and simple syrup on the rocks.Thanks"
Randerolf: *scribbles*"Oh ok and for you?"
Cynthetiq: "Just a Dewars and soda."
Randerolf: *Returns with a frozen banana daiquiri and a Dewars and Coke on the rocks.

Don't laugh. I've seen it.

Cynthetiq

dewars... ick!

Okay, I just remembered that the drink I used to order from the bartender was a simple one. Jim Beam and coke, chilled, served strained in a rocks glass with a coke back, and I usually wanted them in pairs so 4 glasses was my expectation.

Waitstaff never ever got that right unless I was a regular at that restaurant.

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