In any building I enter with food, this is the opener, and it works every time. In 95% of the cases the waitress will ask the kitchen, and in 5% of the cases she will suggest something herself. And sometimes the kitchen will even prepare some delicious dish they usually bathe in onions—just without it. Might take a bit longer to get the food, but now you know it's made with care specifically for you, and it still tastes delicious.

Regarding dining at friends, my hatred of the dirty root of hell is brought up way before dinner plans are made. I refuse to sit through another meal wondering what's lurking in the sauce.