Several restaurant-focused outlets report that owners and industry experts say the way diners ask for recommendations can affect the quality of the suggestions they receive. Fox News and the New York Post both describe restaurant professionals discussing common diner habits before placing an order. The outlets note that many customers ask waitstaff for the server’s personal favorite or ask what the server recommends based on individual preference. However, the restaurant experts interviewed in these reports suggest that these questions do not always produce the most accurate or helpful menu guidance. Instead, they recommend diners ask a question framed around the restaurant’s own offerings—specifically, “What’s your specialty?”—which they say is more likely to draw on what the kitchen and staff serve best. Overall, the reports emphasize that diners seeking recommendations should consider questions that reflect the restaurant’s strengths rather than relying solely on a server’s personal tastes.