First dates can be awkward enough without adding a messy plate of ribs or a slurpy bowl of ramen into the mix. You want to impress, not end up with sauce on your shirt or corn stuck in your teeth. While some dishes might be delicious, they come with their own set of challenges that could make you wish you’d ordered something safer. So, unless you’re looking to make your first date a comedy show, here are a few foods you might want to avoid if you plan on keeping things smooth, clean, and a little more romantic.
Spaghetti or Any Long Pasta
It might taste amazing, but watching someone try to slurp up spaghetti while sauce drips everywhere? Not the most romantic sight. Save the twirling and slurping for a date where you’re more comfortable!
Ribs
Sure, they’re delicious, but ribs are messy, sticky, and guarantee you’ll need 10 napkins just to stay semi-presentable. Do you really want to spend half the meal licking BBQ sauce off your fingers?
Garlic-heavy Dishes
Garlic is great for flavor, but it’s also great for leaving behind a breath that lingers. Unless you’ve both agreed to garlic breath as a bonding experience, it’s best to avoid this stinky choice.
Oysters
The whole “sexy” oyster vibe is more myth than reality. Slurping down slimy shellfish might send the wrong signal, and there’s always the risk of a rogue oyster ruining the moment.
Burgers (Especially Big Ones)
A massive burger that requires unhinging your jaw to take a bite isn’t the most graceful option. Between the toppings falling out and sauce smearing everywhere, it’s a messy meal you don’t want to battle on a first date.
Spicy Foods
Spicy dishes might be tempting, but nothing kills the vibe like an unexpected chili pepper turning your face red and sending you into a coughing fit. Save the heat for another time.
Corn on the Cob
Corn is delicious, but it’s also notorious for getting stuck in your teeth. Trying to look cute while picking kernels out of your mouth? Not happening. Avoid the struggle altogether.
Crab or Lobster
Cracking shells, wearing a bib, and splashing juice everywhere—this is more of a food challenge than a meal. It’s hard to keep the conversation flowing when you’re wrestling with a crab claw.
Ramen
Ramen may be comforting, but it’s also splashy and slurpy. Those long noodles and broth are a recipe for disaster when you’re trying to impress someone—unless they’re into noodle soup chaos.
Salads (with Lots of Lettuce)
A big salad seems like a safe choice, but eating one can be surprisingly awkward. You’ll spend more time trying to spear elusive pieces of lettuce or avoid splattering dressing than actually enjoying your meal.
11 Restaurant Shortcuts That Will Make You Think Twice About Eating Out
Eating out is fun, but the reality behind the scenes isn’t as appetizing as you’d think and anyone that’s ever worked in a restaurant can likely attest to this. Let’s just say there are a few things restaurants would rather you not know. From creative cost-cutting to some questionable “freshness” claims, what happens in the kitchen might just make you cringe.
Read it Here: 11 Restaurant Shortcuts That Will Make You Think Twice About Eating Out
10 Embarrassing Things You’ve Definitely Googled About Cooking
Everyone’s had those “I should probably know this” moments in the kitchen. You’re halfway through making dinner, and suddenly you realize you’ve been guessing what “sauté” actually means for years. You’re hardly alone in these embarrassing episodes. Here’s a few of the most common ones.
Read it Here: 10 Embarrassing Things You’ve Definitely Googled About Cooking
*Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
