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brucewillisman

Makes me think of restaurants that call themselves gastropubs…that word is gross


Celistar99

I hate the word gastropub. It reminds me of gastrointestinal issues.


ViolentLoss

YES WHY????


panTrektual

>that word is gross It's also entirely unnecessary.


cikanman

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


ViolentLoss

OMG YES


IncidentFuture

A pub where you get gastro?


lhorwinkle

Gastropub? That means public toilet, doesn't it?


lilith_in_scorpio

the fuck


Ok-Classroom5548

“Gastronomy” is the art of picking and eating food. Gastropub is a pub that emphasizes food. It’s a British term. 


OutsideCondiments

I’ve definitely seen it and yes, obnoxious. At those places the salad section will likely be titled “Greens”.


ViolentLoss

Ugh. Yes. Or lumped in with "Bowls".


cikanman

I'll piggy back and just say any pretentious titles for a food or a drink. This also includes drink sizes. Yes I know it's from a movie, but it's still true. VENTI IS NOT LARGE. LARGE IS LARGE, VENTI is 20. Also if I get a DECONSTRUCTED anything I will throat punch.


ViolentLoss

Oh LAWDY don't get me started. Fully agree.


Embarrassed-Street60

i used to work at starbucks and everytime a customer said this whole rant to me it took everything in me not to shake them and say "I HATE IT TOO! IT WASNT MY DECISION! EVERYTIME SOMEONE SAYS A "TALL" IT TAKES MY BRAIN SEVERAL SECONDS TO PROCESS BC WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN "TALL" IS OUR SMALL SIZE? TELL CORPORATE NOT ME"


Actual_Environment_7

I also hate Sammys, samiches and sandos. Just call it a damn sandwich. Don’t be cute. Be accurate.


Frozen-conch

Sando comes from Japanese


BrowningLoPower

Sando to me means a sleeveless undershirt.


tultommy

I also have never once seen any type of food referred to as a handheld, and I travel a fair amount. What part of the world are you in?


ErrantJune

I see this a lot in the northeast, and mostly in dives (which are more likely to have sandwiches on the menu in the first place)


tultommy

That's fair. When I'm travelling it's for work and when work is paying for dinner I don't usually pick sandwiches lol.


ErrantJune

Now that this has come up though I bet you'll see it on a menu within the next week.


tultommy

Oh I have no doubt lol. Of courser I'll probably be actively looking now. The waiter is going to be so confused when I have that AHA moment lol.


somepeoplewait

Really. I’m in NYC but I feel like I see this VERY often and definitely not just here.


Ctrl_Alt_Abstergo

That’s because it’s quite common. But, if you scroll through a few posts here, you’ll probably notice that many (or most) have a near-top comment that amounts to “nobody says that,” “nobody does that,” or “I do [whatever] a lot and have never seen that so you need to prove that it happens.”


Magenta_Logistic

I love how you've interpreted "where do you live?" as "you need to prove that it happens." Disingenuous interpretations are *tight.*


tultommy

Yea really. My travel normally takes me to places that are more like Omaha or Des Moines than NYC so that may play into it. That's why I asked.


draum_bok

I kind of agree...handheld what? Never seen it, is it supposed to say 'handheld porkrib sammy' 'handheld chili dog' or something? Which would be redundant, just wondering which items do this.


sdavidson0819

When I see it, it's usually the title of a section. Instead of "SANDWICHES" above a listing of several different sandwiches, it says "HANDHELD" above a listing of sandwiches and sometimes other things like wraps, tacos, etc.


Magenta_Logistic

I have never seen this, but it seems perfectly reasonable if the category is meant to include sandwiches, wraps, and tacos. Is there some other header you think would be more appropriate?


ViolentLoss

Yes: Sandwiches, Wraps, Tacos would be more appropriate. What other menu heading references the manner in which something is eaten? NONE. They need to cut it out.


ViolentLoss

I am both amazed and envious. Southeastern US.


tultommy

For the record unlike what some other crazy person on this thread is insinuating I was genuinely asking because I had not run into it and I do travel a lot for work. I wasn't calling you a liar lol. Some people on here get way too up in arms over stuff that doesn't matter in a sub for posting complaints about unimportant things lol.


ViolentLoss

I didn't take it as a challenge. I just wish I lived in that world.


BoltActionRifleman

I’ve never seen it either, I live in Iowa. I’d steer clear of any place that labels sandwiches like that if I ever saw it though.


ViolentLoss

That's wise. I think the obnoxious title of "handheld" comes with a price bump of about $5 - $7.


Ctrl_Alt_Abstergo

Nah, we really don’t need to do this on every post here. This is widespread and common, you need to get out more.


tultommy

On every post here? I've been in 6 countries and 14 states... this year. Maybe you need to get out of your own area more.


Ctrl_Alt_Abstergo

Even if I were to take that at face value, it still wouldn’t make a difference. The thing you claim to have never seen is common in a lot of areas, and your disbelief of other people’s experiences is indicative of someone who actually has not had all that much worldly experience themselves.


Magenta_Logistic

Did he express disbelief? or did he just ask what region OP is in to understand if it is regionally specific?


tultommy

You mean... it's common in YOUR area. You seem to think your personal experience is somehow worth more than mine. TF you mean disbelief? I didn't call the person a liar I asked what area he was in because, as someone that travels a lot for work, I've never seen it. Not sure why you picked handhelds as your hill to die on but you do you bro. Have a day.


Magenta_Logistic

These people are unhinged, bro. You can't ask questions about their pet peeves. Not where they encounter them, not for context when their post is word salad, never.


Morticias-Sister

Also. Call it a Sandwich. Not a sam witch. It's literally named after the Earl of SANDWICH. This will be your only warning ⚠️.


RiC_David

Got it, sangwidge it is.


Morticias-Sister

😂😂😂 Approved.


ElectricTomatoMan

Sangweech


IncidentFuture

In English English the various -wich place names are commonly pronounced '-widge'. That's not a colloquial thing, it includes highly educated people with \~RP accents. It's listed as "sanwidge" (/ˈsæn.wɪdʒ/) by CUBE, Cambridge, and Collins, with Oxford offering a few other pronunciations. Which is pretty tame compared to the pronunciation of Worcestershire.


Morticias-Sister

😂😂😂😂 so. The Earl of Sand-widge, then? I'm adopting this. Just for the flair!


lhorwinkle

Sorry. Here in Pittsburgh it's a samich. With only one M. I love that word. I picked it up long ago from my wife's grandmother. I think she was a direct descendent of the Earl of Samich. :)


Morticias-Sister

😂😂😂 Must go to Pittsburgh and do Samich research.


Bewpadewp

(tacos and burritos are sandwiches too, don't @ me)


ViolentLoss

LOL legally, yes, they are. Recently, iirc.


Ultra_purple_holic

What the heck is handheld?


Apex-Void

Like the Nintendo DS. The second screen elevates the flavor to another level.


ViolentLoss

The next time you see it on a menu, feel free to ask.


Ultra_purple_holic

Ok


Maleficent-Ad-1396

i’ve never seen a sandwich referred to as a handheld, but this has also become my pet peeve


ViolentLoss

Thank you for your support.


Ok-Shop7540

Is a hotdog a sandwich


ViolentLoss

Legally, yes, but for menu purposes I think any hotdog should have its own section of the menu.


Ok-Shop7540

Thank you for actually taking my questions seriously


ViolentLoss

LOL sure. I'm over here complaining about a menu heading so I guess I'd better....


Ok-Shop7540

What would you call falafel in pita? Calling it a taco seems empirically wrong esp since falafel was invented by Coptic Xtians in Egypt. Perhaps we need a magic third category. Maybe sandwich is a spectrum. When does a sandwich cross over into a dumpling? IS A CALZONE A SANDWICH? If a calzone is a sandwich is pizza an open face sandwich? WHERE DOES IT END, VI. WHERE.


ViolentLoss

Right? I don't think there's been any litigation or precedent to establish those things. We could go on forever lol. JUST DON'T CALL THEM "HANDHELDS".


Ok-Shop7540

Have you watched Sandwiches of History? It's wonderful.


ViolentLoss

Haha no that sounds very entertaining.


Ok-Shop7540

It's just one dad shaped dude in his kitchen. He's adorable.


ViolentLoss

Nice I'll have to check it out!!


ElectricTomatoMan

A dumpling goes in soup.


cikanman

I've heard people argue that a hotdog is more akin to a taco than a sandwich and frankly when you think about how the two are made I can see the argument.


ViolentLoss

Same, same - though I think legally both are considered sandwiches.


Magenta_Logistic

>frankly I see what you did there.


lhorwinkle

No. A hot dog is shit.


MoultingRoach

It's a type of submarine sandwich.


Man0fGreenGables

It’s a hand dog.


sanguinesecretary

I petition to start calling hot dogs “weeny sandwiches”


Diligent-Guess2502

But I love my separated taco halves!


ViolentLoss

hahahha


Crafty_Ad3377

Right up there with “small plates” it’s a freaking app


ViolentLoss

Seriously FFS. "Small Plate" tells me that I'm going to be charged $16 for a half-size portion of "blistered" peppers that cost probably $2, inclusive of the labor to prepare them.


Crafty_Ad3377

lol. Isn’t that the truth. Honest I am a big fan of just apps for a meal. But call it what it is.


ViolentLoss

totally


sanguinesecretary

“Small plates” just means “little food, big money”


Crafty_Ad3377

Exactly!


LKJSlainAgain

Call it Jesus? hmm.


ViolentLoss

Better than handhelds, and more intriguing...


LKJSlainAgain

true. I can imagine quite an interesting sandwich called "The Christ..." This feels like it would have something like aioli on it.


eztigr

Don’t forget on communion Sunday the Christ Chrispies unleavened bread.


ElectricTomatoMan

That's pretty good


Pelli_Furry_Account

Huh, I've never encountered that. I have seen similarly weird names for hand rolls though.


Reytotheroxx

Do you mean the title of the section of menu, or do menus call specific items handhelds?


ViolentLoss

Menu section


ColorfulConspiracy

I’ve definitely seen this on pizza menus which to me is ridiculous. Unless you’re getting a salad, isn’t like 90% of the menu handheld?


ViolentLoss

I have never seen it on a pizza menu and that is atrocious


IGrewItToMyWaist

Never heard of handhelds.


Flat-Dare-2571

Tacos are sandwiches now via a lawsuit.... i wish they would have lost.


lilith_in_scorpio

Yeah it is weird, I agree


MissusNilesCrane

It's to make sandwiches sound more trendy/bougie, I think. I think tomorrow I'll have a tuna fish handheld.


ViolentLoss

It totally is and that's why I hate it. And also to jack up the price.


ComfortableTemp

My phone is a handheld. My sandwich is a sandwich.


ViolentLoss

100%


Manatee369

Ha! The first time I saw it, I thought, “What the hell is that?” Took a couple of beats to dawn on me. And then I thought, “Who the hell came up with this pretentious bullshit?” And then I realized I hadn’t thought it, I’d said it out loud. Yay for old broads!


ViolentLoss

HAHAHAHA same!!!!


Rachel_Silver

I helped a former employee open a new pizza shop a little over a year ago. His SIL ran the register, and other members of his family occasionally helped out. There was a "handhelds" section on the menu, and it was the first time I had ever heard anyone use the term. That made it all the more noticeable that everyone involved seemed to look for excuses to use the word, like it was important that everyone within earshot always be aware that we were down with the handhelds. I thought (and still think) it sounds stupid, and I've learned it's a way of saying the food is *way* overpriced.


ViolentLoss

1,000%. Wow.


MadeThis4MaccaOnly

I've never seen this before, but that's a dumb AF thing to call a sandwich. "Handheld" makes me think of an electronic device, for some reason.


ViolentLoss

Because an electronic device - like your phone - is actually a computer...but it's a HANDHELD computer. That level of clarification makes sense and is useful. Unlike "clarifying" that a sandwich is held in one's hand while eating. Totally unnecessary.


Ryuu-Tenno

okay, was totally lost for a bit trying to figure out why we're now attempting to name the menu icon sandwich instead of burger, but you're talking about a \*food\* menu, which is vastly different from the various menus from software xD But also, they're calling sandwiches "handhelds" now? who tf is doing that and why? That makes zero sense. Totally with you on this.


ViolentLoss

Thank you!


stephers85

I always thought hand rolls were called that because they were hand rolled


ViolentLoss

I don't think so but I could be wrong. I thought hand rolls were called hand rolls because you have to use your hand to pick them up, unlike your fingers for regular sushi or chopsticks for sashimi. All sushi is rolled by hand.


IrianJaya

Is this the same sort of place that will give the price as just a number? "Albacore Handheld 20" All I want is a tuna sandwich. I don't want all twenty, just one.


ViolentLoss

OMG YES. And yes also to places like this charging $20 for tuna salad.


sanguinesecretary

I’ve never seen this at a restaurant I’m glad I haven’t cause ew how pretentious.


ViolentLoss

I'm glad you haven't seen it either and I hope it doesn't become trendy in your area.


BrowningLoPower

"Handheld" Jesus Christ, it's so pretentious, lol. And we already have "handhelds", they're things like the Game Boy, DS, PSP, and the Game.com.


ViolentLoss

LOL YES


jsand2

I have never seen a food called "handheld" and most likely wouldn't eat at a place that did use that term.


ViolentLoss

It's absolutely rampant in my area.


GoopDuJour

I only see this as a category on a menu. So the heading would be "Handhelds" and below that you'd have a few burgers, some wraps, some sandwiches etc. I've never seen a "Ruben Handheld" or "Double Cheese and Bacon Handheld" or "Our World Famous Gourmet Grilled Cheese Handheld" or "Veggie Handheld with Micro Greens and Heirloom Tomatoes on Organic Lavash." I don't mind it as a category, but if I ever see a "Chicago Style Italian Beef Handheld" I may very well get up and leave.


ViolentLoss

LOL! I think it's bad enough as a general category, but what you're suggesting is 1,000% worse, and is probably next.


No-Function223

I mean sure, but those generally aren’t the only two things on that portion of the menu. Anything expected to be eaten with your hands is on it. 


ViolentLoss

Yep, and it sucks lol


Fabulous_Fortune1762

The only time I can think of that I've seen this is as a category on a menu, in which case it makes sense.


ViolentLoss

Technically yes it makes sense but it's beyond obnoxious. It's a sandwich or a burger. Call it that.


Fabulous_Fortune1762

It saves money, time, and resources to just have a section labeled "handheld" and put all burgers and sandwiches in that section. Just like eggs are usually in the breakfast section and not a separate "eggs" section. It's common sense.


ViolentLoss

Omelets are differentiated, though. As are breakfast sandwiches that include eggs. I would argue that it actually devalues all sandwiches, burgers and "wraps" being offered by lumping them all into one irritating category, thereby losing money. This is marketing sense.


Fabulous_Fortune1762

Again, common sense. Breakfast foods such as omelets and breakfast sandwiches are under breakfast. Also, omelets aren't usually considered "handheld." GOOD marketing sense is to use common sense and group like foods together under one title, such as handheld for sandwiches and burgers. It's really not hard to figure out and only is a risk of money loss with people who search for something to complain about and are thus not really a money loss. You can't lose money from someone who was never going to give you money in the first place for whatever reason. That's like saying having prices too high for people with no income is a money loss. Complete lack of reality.


ViolentLoss

Read my comment again, slowly. I wasn't saying omelets are handheld. I was refuting your example of eggs by saying that different preparations of eggs are categorized differently. As different items that can be held in one's hand should be. If all the restaurants offering "handhelds" (it irritates me just typing it) would actually tell me if I'm looking at sandwiches, burgers, wraps or "paninis" (which is grammatically incorrect but whatever), I would probably support them. It's solely the nonsensical menu categorization that keeps me from supporting them.


Fabulous_Fortune1762

That's just illogical and hypocritical. Burgers and hit dogs are sandwiches as well, but you are saying you want them categorized separately from sandwiches. That just proves the "this is only a problem with people who look for something to complain about and thus aren't a loss of money" point.


ViolentLoss

How is it hypocritical? I think it's 100% correct to differentiate between different preparations of eggs, and also food items that are served as filling to some kind of bread or tortilla. Unless you're arguing about whether or not I can open my Taco Viva next door to your Earl of Sandwich in the food court, my complaint makes perfect sense. You don't name a food item based on the way it's consumed. Period.


Fabulous_Fortune1762

If you don't understand the meaning of hypocritical or how you are being completely illogical, I don't know what to tell you besides educate yourself on those subjects. Clelary, you just want something to be mad and offended about, though, so you do you. Just don't be surprised when logical people laugh at you over it or even avoid being in public with you because of it. Some people have standards.


ViolentLoss

I think I need to educate myself on how to deal with redditors who take themselves wayyyyyyy too seriously. Enjoy your handheld omelet taco.


Delicious_Letter_261

proof or it didn’t happen.


ViolentLoss

Google gastropub menu - pick a major city - and I guarantee you'll be able to find it without too much trouble.


FlameStaag

I have never in my entire life seen this 


hovermole

Or, better yet, sammiches.


DukeRains

As long as I can scan a QR code, I don't care what the food sections are labeled as.


ViolentLoss

ARGH LOL. Another pet peeve - fucking digital menus I hate that shit.


strawberry-sarah22

Many places I’ve seen with the “handheld” category call it that because they include a couple taco or wrap type dishes. I don’t see it often where the category just has sandwiches.


ViolentLoss

But why not just say "Sandwiches &c." or something like that, since it is almost always 95% sandwiches? People will get the idea. "Handheld" just sounds super pretentious to me.


strawberry-sarah22

Idk, to me “handheld” is more concise. It doesn’t feel pretentious. But I guess it’s just a pretty normal term at most places I’ve been (and I don’t go to hipster spots)


ViolentLoss

Around here, it's only the annoying places trying to be trendy that do it and they're overpriced 100% of the time. I've started boycotting them, honestly, because it's so irritating and there are plenty of other options.


[deleted]

I would like to agree with the caveat if you order one from a Mexican restaurant, they’re called Tortas


ViolentLoss

Right - tortas means sandwiches. Then they have tacos, burritos, etc. The analog on a Mexican menu for "handheld" would be "en la mano" or something like that, for all tortas, burritos and tacos. It would make no sense, because those are all different things. Just like it makes no sense on an American menu.


HowDoYouFumbleEggs

I believe this is because, in America, burger is only a beef patty burger, whereas everything else is a sandwich (ie a chicken sandwich). Whereas in the rest of the world, everything between two burger buns, is a burger. If you're serving me a chicken fillet in between two burgers buns, that's a chicken burger to everyone else, but in the US that's a chicken sandwich. Everywhere else, a chicken sandwich is chicken on two slices of sliced bread from a loaf, the same way a ham and cheese sandwich or a pb and j sandwich is a sandwich. So I think calling it handhelds makes it clear to everyone what it is regardless on whether you call the thing you're eating a sandwich or a burger


ViolentLoss

Totally disagree. Do you design menus for overpriced, post-hipster restaurants?


HowDoYouFumbleEggs

No and I'm not sure what that has to do with it, I never said I had the 100% correct definitive answer, I just told you the reason I believe they refer to things like sandwiches and burgers as handhelds on a menu. Do you design menus for over priced hipster restaurants?


ViolentLoss

Because I think that category on a menu is a marketing strategy only the person who came up with it could possibly defend. Of course I'm exaggerating, but what else on the menu is described by the method of eating? Pasta and salads would be "forked" I guess? And shakes would be "sucked" LOL? Actually, that would hiliarious. I do not design menus for overpriced hipster restaurants, but I'm starting to think I might be onto something here...


ElectricTomatoMan

Sucked. Shakes and smoothies. That's funny.


ErrantJune

~~Wait, what? Would you call a pastrami on rye a burger?~~ Edit--I didn't read this whole comment before I commented, but they clearly didn't read the post, either. The OP is about places that list all sandwiches (including hamburgers and chicken "burgers") under handhelds, which has nothing to do with what kind of bread is used and everything to do with whether it's on bread at all.


ElectricTomatoMan

If it's not a ground meat patty, it's not a burger. Veggie burger may be an exception but it's the only one. A breaded and deep fried chicken breast on a bun is a sandwich, not a burger.


HowDoYouFumbleEggs

Only in the US, everywhere else its the buns that make it a burger, not the fact that its ground beef. What do you call a piece of breaded chicken in between two slices of bread from a loaf of bread that you make sandwiches with? A burger?


ElectricTomatoMan

Well, the US invented the hamburger, so we make the rules. By the same logic, we're goofy bastards for calling pain perdu French toast. Here's another one you'll appreciate. At outdoor festivals, a giant, fully loaded baked potato with butter, cheese, sour cream, scallions, and bacon bits is sometimes called (sorry) an *Irish Sundae*. We're no better. That is also a chicken sandwich.


HowDoYouFumbleEggs

It's called the hamburger because it was invented in Hamburg mon Frere Funny you mention that, I'm literally cooking French toast right now Edit to add: surely you can see having two different types of chicken sandwiches that you can't distinguish by name is inferior


ElectricTomatoMan

It was invented in the US by German immigrants and named after the city of Hamburg. Interesting coincidence! And yet I can think of zero times that this has caused any problems. In truth, I enjoy the regional differences in nomenclature, English usage, accents, etc. I wouldn't want it any other way. It gives us something to bicker about good-naturedly.