I was just reminded that I have something called reference meals when I go to a new restaurant. There is one standard dish that I try for each type of restaurant to judge it by. This is what I get. Chinese - Kung Pao Chicken Japanese - Tonkatsu-don, Miso Soup and Salad Italian - Veal Paremesan if it is on the menu with an order of garlic bread and a side of Angel Hair Pomodoro. Eggplant if Veal is not available. Mexican - Beef Burrito with Rice & Beans for Dinner and Machaca, Rice & Beans for Breakfast with a small bowl of Posole Indian - Lamb Curry, Chicken Tandoori, Samba & Idli and Nan German - Rahmschnitzel ala Natural dazu hausgemachte Spatzle und Rotkohl (Veal, noodles and red cabbage) Tai - Pad See Ew Korean - Bee Bim Bop American - Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable Vietnamese - Vegetable Pho Greek - Greek Salad and Lamb Shanks OK, I am thoroughly hungry.
I use that to judge the filling. I could have used Tamale, Chicken Mole, Chili Relleno, Pork Milanesa, Chili Verde, Enchiladas, Menudo or a bunch of other stuff. Plus, an assortment of fresh salsas. Nothing fancy.
When I visit a new restaurant, I check the Men's room. It it isn't clean, I leave. That is the first reference point. If they pass that test, I check out the menu. If there is no Chicken Fried Steak, I still leave. :drool St. Croix
The fact that you know to say "CFS" says volumes about you! Back in my college days, I would sometimes get a gig training waiters/waitresses for a local country club. At one point, they had hired 10 new staff members, three of whom were roommates from Alabama. I was teaching them the usual shorthand, i.e., CFS, CB for Cheeseburger and FF for french fries. When we got to the final day, I noticed they they were turning in orders with "BB" written on them. CFS w/BB. Ribeye w/BB, etc. I finally had to ask. "What the hell is "BB"?" I still laugh when I think about it. "Baked Botato".:rofl St. Croix
15 years as a trucker before I came off the road....I have eaten CFS in every state of the union but Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Florida. the BEST CFS I ever had was in a little pissant truckstop off I 20 right before ya cross into Alabama :eatdrink020 . not to mention worked in cafes as everything from dishwasher to prep cook to grill cook.
I've never seen biscuits and gravy unless they were accompanied by sausage, either on the side or served in the gravy. St. Croix