My husband has learned over the years and has finally stopped rolling his eyes when I ask for things to be made with less oil, or if I can substitute veggies for potatoes, and if there's whole-wheat pasta available.

I realize it can be annoying, but when I do it it is a health issue. I will break out in hives if I eat cilantro, and will be in the bathroom before the meal is over if there is any dairy, especially if the food is prepared in butter!

No, I'm not high-maintenance, but I do often order, say, a salad and a rich appetizer as starter/main course. It's both for portion control and, also, many restaurants put their more interesting and inventive items in the appetizer menu. The choices and combinations there just tend to appeal to me more. But I almost never ask for modifications.

I order what's on the menu. If I want to eat healthy, I choose a healthier menu option. Fortunately, I have no allergies and I'm not picky.

I put no, but it's because I usually just order something healthy to begin with.

I'm vegan so I usually make a lot of mods, but I do try to choose items that will require the least amount of changing.

Hey, I am (or my SO is) paying for it so I get to have it the way I like it!

I usually will make sure veggies have no butter, make sure the dressing is on the side, and make sure that things are baked, not fried - but I'm usually ordering pretty healthy to begin with.

I don't see a problem with being high-maintenance. If I'm paying that much money for someone to make me a meal, they'll make it the way I like it. The only way I won't modify is if it's free, because then I have no room to complain.

I only got out once a month if that & depending on where I go alot of times I did get a salad & a burger but if I go to Arby's I go all out. I rarely go there though.

I try and eaty healthy options but even then, I ask for salad dressings and condiments on the side.

I also try to choose the healthiest option I can, but even then sometimes I make changes, modifications so yes, I can be high maintenance. This used to bother me, but not anymore. If others can do it because of food allergies or medical reasons, then I don't have a problem doing it to stick to my nutrition plan. Also, I've found that the chefs often like to make modifications and are usually very happy to oblige the diner.

Nope.

i just dont eat at places where i think this will be an issue.

I don't think it's too high maintenance to ask for dressing on the side or for no mayo on a sandwich. That's about as much as I'll usually ask.

My friends have said that the way I order is entertaining. I'm vegetarian, but I don't want to be an imposition on where my friends choose to dine. I always question about whether or not something is in fact veg (I have to define it so that seafood is included, include stock, lard, rennet, gelatin, certain types of food coloring, separate section on the grill for veggies vs meat), and have the server check with the chef if s/he isn't sure. However, I'm also VERY polite, ask with a smile, and give a HUGE-ASS Tip (depending on how annoying I feel I was, varies between 15% - 30%).

Nope. If I'm trying to eat healthy, I cook my own meal. If I'm going out to eat, I allow myself to splurge. Why would I waste money on going out to get steamed veggies? I want to eat food the way the chef intended for it to be eaten. He's the pro. Plus, I'd rather have some butter in my food than spit because I've annoyed the wait staff/chef/etc.

2muchtv, I'm the same way, I'm not rude about my order, I'm always friendly and polite and I always tip well.

I'm a vegetarian, which can lead to some substituting if I don't feel like paying $10 for a salad. I used to be very hesitant to do it, but then I realized I was inviting WAY too much anxiety over a meal that was SUPPOSED to be a treat. I don't eat out that often, and when I do, I pay for it- I should get it how I want it, no apologies (although plenty of pleases and thank yous).

Does anyone here ever go to Red Robin? It's a once a year birthday splurge for me. I like them because they have TWO veggie burger options. I went there last year, and I ordered the Boca Patty, NOT the black bean burger, and guess what? I got the black bean burger. I felt like such a picky eater sending it back; it ruined the whole meal for me. Later, I thought about it, and realized that, for once, I HADN'T substituted anything- I'd ordered a menu item, and they'd screwed it up. It was like if my boyfriend had ordered chicken and they'd brought him fish. It was kind of big deal for me, and made me realize that waiters just usually aren't familiar with vegetarians, and are going to screw my order up whether it's modified or not. So no more feeling bad for sending it back until I get what I want!

JessBear233, I have not had good anything at Red Robin, service-wise or food. In fact, that is the only restaurant that I've got food poisoning from so i've basically crossed it off my list of places to eat at.

Oh boy am I ever!!! I do not eat: wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, starch, soy, nuts, whey, pork, beef from restaurants (cause it's always corn fed), or dressings.... so yea, what do I eat? I stick to the fish and the steamed vegetable side dishes! You would be amazed at how tasty the chef can make my meal with out all the above ingredients!

I don't think I'm THAT picky; I usually ask for dressings on the side and if I order something with a side of veggies, I ask that they prepare them without butter. Or if an entree comes with tons of cheese, I ask them to leave it off. I feel like if I'm paying for it, I should get exactly what I want.

I don't tend to eat at crappy places where you would need to substitute.

I am allergic to cane sugar and oats and can be a pain in the butt checking for ingredients. I tend to go to places that can handle my needs though. My husband also calls to ahead to make sure they can handle it, and we also try to go at non-peak hours.

I'm extremely picky about my eating habits. No processed foods, little to no dairy, nothing fried, whole grains and I don't eat chicken or pork. My husband has learned to deal with my ordering but what usually happens is when I ask to leave the cheese and bacon bits off my salad he just asks them to put them on his! That way he feels like we get what we're paying for.

I tend to order healthier items but still want it to fit into my eating plan so I will ask for some modifications. And I tip well when it is done with a smile.

When I eat out at places my bf picks, yes, I am one of those. No mayo on my sandwich (which is hard to get for some reason), eggless noodles, dry toast for brekkie, feta cheese instead of greasy cheese, "do you have a vegan dessert?"..that type of thing.

My take on it is: I'm paying my money, I should get what I want as long as it's in the kitchen.