No I’m not talking about a Facebook stalker. Or a Google stalker. Or a Single White Female kind of stalker.
I am, however, a menu stalker.
Yep, someone mentions a restaurant that we may go to and my fingers fly to their website so I can scope the menu. And I don’t look at it just once. No I creepily keep looking, letting the appetizers entice me and the entrees make me drool.
I pick favorites. I go back and forth deciding which one I will select upon my visit. I rationalize the heavier dishes by promising a light lunch the given day.
My stalker-esque behavior isn’t because I’m creepy. It’s because I like to not only know what I’m getting into, but I especially like having something to look forward to.
In fact, I think I thrive on anticipation of something good to come.
We could be going to Subway or Spago’s and I’ll give equal attention to the menu.
Tonight, we’re headed to an Italian restaurant we haven’t been to since 2004: Don Giovanni’s. And of course I’ve been stalking the menu all week debating on my entrée.
Below are my top contenders:
Capellini D’Angelo al Pomodoro
Angel hair pasta in a fresh basil, garlic and diced tomato sauce.
Spaghetti al Pollo Piccante
Pasta in a spicy tomato sauce with chicken tenderlions.
Parmesan Chicken
Chicken breast breaded and topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese baked until bubbly. Served in a bed of fresh linguini marinara.
Pollo Ripieno
Oven roasted breast of chicken stuffed with herbs, ricotta cheese, roasted sweet peppers, served over garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed swiss chard and roasted sweet pepper cream.
Are you a (menu) stalker?
What should I order?
PS Loved your thoughts / feedback on the scale. I think we all agree that we have to do what works for us, right?
Ah my bestie the stalker. Hehehehe
I haven’t been loving chicken all that much lately, so I’d probably go for the Capellini D’Angelo al Pomodoro. But you tend to eat even less meat than I do, so perhaps you should sneak some in if it sounds appetizing. 
I’m a huge menu stalker. I used to do it so that I could prep myself for ordering the healthiest thing on the menu, but now I do it just because I’m excited to find the yummiest thing on the menu. If I were you, I’d go for chicken parm. Haven’t had it in years, but it rarely disappoints!
I always menu stalk! That way I dont’ spend twenty minutes looking over the menu at the restaurant. I really am doing it for the benefit of my dining partner. lol
I would get the capellini — basil/garlic and tomato sauce sounds so delicious.
Yes I stalk menus — I like to know ahead of time what I am getting — it takes me forever to decide so I need the extra time
I didn’t used to be… but at some point, Jess and I went on a uber healthy food kick (we cooked out of “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch” a few times- worst couple weeks of my life from a food perspective), and it kicked my desire for REAL food into high gear, and I became a menu stalker. My primary obsession at that point was this crazy burger place in Chicago called Kuma’s Corner, which makes- bar none- the best burgers on the planet… I would sit there at work and seriously almost start drooling over the prospect of eating REAL food. I mean, look at a few of these…
Plague Bringer – Roasted Garlic Mayo, Tortilla Strips, House Made Hot Sauce, Fresh Garlic, Pepper Jack, Sliced Jalapenos
Black Oak Arkansas – Red wine BBQ sauce, Bacon, Aged White Cheddar, and Alpha King Battered Fried Shallot Rings
Absu – 10 oz. Patty, spicy tomatillo salsa, pepperjack, red onion/avocado relish, queso fresco, trio of breaded deep fried chiles
Megadeth – Chorizo and Red Potato Hash, Pico de Gallo, Cayenne Avocado Cream, Tortilla Strips
High On Fire – Siracha Hot Chili Sauce, Prosciutto, Roasted Red Pepper, Grilled Pineapple, Sweet Chili Paste
Once “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch” got, ummm, accidentally misplaced… and we reverted to eating slightly more appetizing food at home… my menu stalking slowed down. But, it hasn’t totally gone away… and, if anything, that couple week period is what started a major “I should learn how to cook really well” phase for me.
Holy bejesus — yum. I just “stalked” Kuma’s and it looks like I could sub a veggie burger too! Nice — I say next time I’m in Chicago, we go there!
Yep, they’ll do chicken or a veggie patty in place of the beef on anything they serve. They’re amazing. It’s a crazy place- heavy metal theme, all the employees are heavily inked up, great food and great beer list- unfortunately it has gotten REALLY popular, and it can be tough to get a table… but, I know when we can get in easiest, and yes, we absolutely need to go next time you’re here!
I do the same thing!!! I say go for number 4!
Oh God…some of those I don’t know what they are – “pollo”?
But Gosh – anything with chicken, cheese and marinara sauce – go for it ! The Chicken Parm is one of my favorties or the the one with linguini or the last one listed…
– Wish I didn’t binge on so much crap (again) last night…I could actually enjoy food and go out myself.
Have a good night girl
I binged too Jenn…ce la vie, I’m still going to eat pasta tonight!
I vote Spaghetti al Pollo Piccante
I totally do the same thing!! I love looking at menus beforehand. Not only because I get excited, but it helps with the decision making process. I cant make a decision to save my life, especially when it comes to food. I want it all. When I was little they actually closed a store around me when I was trying to pick out a chocolate bar. My dad loves to remind me of that.
Chicken Parm FTW!
I menu stalk like it’s my job! Especially planning post show meals ahahah
I’m a definite menu stalker. I don’t go out overly often- so i get excited. No idea how I’d contain myself if the internet didn’t exist… ha ha
I ALWAYS menu stalk! Must mentally prepare! I’d go for the cappelini.
“mentally prepare” — you got it!
i am a true menu stalker!!! id rather spend time at home figuring out wat to order than take hours at the restaurant to do so
I used to be a bit obsessive about looking up menu’s prior to hitting different restaurants so I could make sure that there was something low enough in calories for me to eat. But then, thank God, I snapped out of that because it was making me crazy! Now I just roll with it and inevitably find something to eat!
Oh I’m the biggest menu stalker ever. That’s the reason why I hate being surprised when I’m going out to eat. I need to know before hand lol
I’m a big menu stalker. I hate hate hate not knowing what to eat before I go. It makes me a lil bit cray cray honestly.
I am a total menu stalker as well
I don’t think it is a bad thing at all, I love knowing what is going to be there before I get there, or at least the types of foods. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and their menu has something else delicious on it that wasn’t on the website!
I’m also a menu stalker! I love being able to take my time and read all of the descriptions before I even hit up the restaurant. I need to know what’s what, you know?? Well, obviously, you do
I am a total menu stalker!! Not only because I like to have an idea of what’s available, but also because I am probably the most indecisive person you will ever meet. So this saves me from scanning the menu in the restaurant for 30+ minutes and annoying my dinner date.
I hope you went with the Pollo Ripieno – it sounds the most unique!
I’m a total menu stalker…I’ll have the whole thing memorized before I get to the restaurant! I need to know my options! Plus, like Courtney above– I’m also extremely indecisive and always take the longest to decide if I haven’t had a chance to scope out the situation!
I used to obsessively stalk menus and worry about what was the healthiest thing I could order. This was also during my obsessive calorie counting phase. Now I occasionally scope out the menu of a restaurant to make sure there’s at least stuff that sounds appealing, but I wait till I actually get to the restaurant to pick something. I needed to relax
Oh and Single White Female still gives me nightmares!!