The 10 Menu Words That Secretly Mean Smaller Portions

Restaurant and fast food menus are full of charming words that secretly signal smaller portions. If you ever see something that sounds like a meal, only to get three bites…you’re not alone. Here are 10 terms that may sound delicious on the menu but won’t fill you up.

10. Flight

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

Flights are those cute little lines of sample pours (usually wine and spirits) but more recently desserts and small bites. Flights allow you to compare many flavors without committing to a regular portion. Sometimes, flights are a great deal, other times, they’re premium. Be savvy by comparing the flight cost to full pours or ask if you can swap samples.

9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

“Half” is basically what you think it is: you pay for a deliberately smaller meal. Some restaurants do this to preserve ingredients and nudge you towards getting drinks or sides. A tip? Compare the half’s price to that of the full. Sometimes the price is so close, so you might end up paying nearly the same amount for far less food.

8. Side

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

While obvious, this one still matters. A side is meant to be served with your entree, not take over the whole plate. Restaurants lean on sides to boost margins, since they cost less to prepare and add revenue. If you want more food, order two sides or ask for a “side upgrade.”

7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

When restaurants call some offerings “bites,” they’re basically saying that these are a sidekick, not the main event. Expect to get a few morsels to be paired with drinks or a main dish. Behind the scenes, “snackable” items let restaurants upsell drinks and desserts.

6. Slider

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

Fast food fans might already be aware of this one. But for those who aren’t, a slider is a tiny burger, usually two inches or so and can be finished in just a few bites. The concept is pretty clever. You order two or three sliders, which may cost more than one full-size burger, but you get variety.

5. Sampler

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

Sampler or sampler platter gives you variety over volume. Restaurants use samplers to showcase their best-sellers or move slower dishes without forcing guests to commit to full portions. If you want more of one item, check if you can upgrade that or swap out less exciting options.

4. Starter or Appetizer

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

Starters aren’t meant to fill you up, but some of them can be hearty. If something on the starter menu sounds satisfying, consider ordering two of that or pairing one with a side for better value. You can also ask your server which one is the most filling to help you choose wisely.

3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

These plates are fun and social, but also smaller than a main. They’re made for mixing, matching, and ordering multiple rounds. Restaurants use them to increase table spend and drink sales while serving light portions. If you want to feel full, ask which ones are more protein-heavy.

2. Petite

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

On restaurant menus, “petite” is a polite way of saying “smaller.” These plates often feature a daintier presentation and lighter protein. So yes, it’s a size down without sounding skimpy. For a more satisfying meal, ask if a full-size option is available or pair it with a protein-rich side.

1. Tasting Menu

10. Flight, 9. Half, Half-Portion, or Lunch Portion, 7. Bites, Snackable, or Small Bites, 6. Slider, 5. Sampler, 4. Starter or Appetizer, 3. Small Plates, Shareable, or Tapas, 2. Petite, 1. Tasting Menu

When a menu features the word “tasting,” expect a parade of small, chef-curated bites. Fine-dining uses this style so guests can sample multiple dishes while keeping food costs in check and portions precise. This one’s about artistry, not fullness. If you could add a side or extra course, then you won’t leave the restaurant hungry.

Post Related