Start your story with someone looking at a restaurant menu.

Posted in Middle School on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 80 stories

“The Menu Of Memories” by Kev Neylon

Submitted to Contest #162

Matt had been a few minutes early. He hated being late. He had been shown straight to the booked table. And now he was waiting for Louise to arrive. Matt would be surprised if she was on time; she was usually ‘fashionably’ late. It was a trait that had used to wind him up, but as time went by, he let it go more. And he had picked up the habit of giving Louise a time fifteen minutes before the actual time they were due to be anywhere. As he waited for Louise to arrive, Matt picked up the menu. More for something to do to fill the time in, ...

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“Around The World In A Menu” by Joseph L Floyd

Submitted to Contest #162

Simon Bentley waited for his long-time friend, Brent Baker, to arrive for their weekly lunch meeting. He continued to study the menu, waiting for his friend to be seated. This was a new establishment, and both men were eager to try something fresh. Finally, Brent arrives, and the waiter pours water and asks if they want something to drink and an appetizer. Simon looks over his menu and says, "I see you have wine from Spain." "Ah, you also have Gazpacho." "Yes, we have cuisine from all over the world." "I am sure we will accommodate your pa...

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“Pretentious” by Lucia Whitely

Submitted to Contest #162

The leather-bound menu card was starting to show signs of my sweaty fingerprints. My knuckles were slowly going white from the exertion of trying to sit still and not run around crying, 'FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.' My friend watched me anxiously. I did not want to let her down as I had so many times before, embarrassing her in public with my actions or words. I felt beads of sweat pouring down my face like I was standing in a lukewarm tepid shower and knew that it was any second before my make-up was going to mingle with that perspiration. I neede...

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“Chicken Parmesan” by Audrey Harmon

Submitted to Contest #162

Our tender chicken breasts are coated with grated Parmesan, the menu reads. “Sam? Do you know what you’re getting?” And Italian breadcrumbs. And– “Sam?” I look up at the familiar brown eyes which hold an unfamiliar expression. My mother’s lips jut forward. “What are you ordering?” My focus is all over the place, and I haven’t been able to read past one item. “The um..” Baked in our marinara sauce, topped with three Italian cheeses and– God this description kind of goes on forever. “Chicken,” I finally sa...

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“Final Meal” by Sayonee M N

Submitted to Contest #162

[content warning: suicidal tendencies, emotional abuse] I know I have been staring at the menu card for an awfully long time. I know the server is getting antsy, especially considering today is New Year’s Eve. But I don’t want to look up. If I do, I am sure he will see the tears I am trying to hide. The restaurant is buzzing with merriment all around me, and I don’t want to be a Grinch. That’s why I am sitting at the corner booth facing the restaurant wall, all alone. ‘Stop it, Aisha. Get a grip,’ I chided myself as the tears trickled sl...

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“A Meal to Remember” by Nirvana P

Submitted to Contest #162

Andrew stared at the tablet in his hands, skimming through the items on the restaurant menu. “A Jill Burger?” he squinted at it and then looked back up at his wife to see her reaction. “In a place like this? It’s probably a typo. Forget about that now and choose something, I’m starving,” she swatted her hand in the air as if brushing away his comment. “Besides, you ought to eat healthier if you want to keep your cholesterol in check.” Her eyes trailed up and down his body, pausing at his waistline to make a silent comment on his weight...

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“Black grape ” by Emerson Marks

Submitted to Contest #162

Even after the ribs, Mike’s stomach was still rumbling. As soon as his wife went to the ladies, he leaned over the restaurant table, scooped the remaining two pieces of chicken from her Caesar Salad into his mouth, washed them down with Coors and waved the waiter over for the dessert menu.Having checked nobody was watching, he sucked the serrated blade of her knife clean of residue before turning his attention to the waiter, who collected the now empty plates and handed him the menu.“I can recommend the lemon meringue,” said the waiter.Mike ...

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“A Simple Conversation ” by Emily Grace

Submitted to Contest #162

(TW: Mentions substance abuse, references to suicidal depression, references the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have, and potentially offensive to Christians) …Holy crap, this place sells lobster bisque for five dollars? …Is that good or bad? …Hope they like the tea I ordered. …Hey! Have a seat! How are you; how’s the move?! Great! Awesome…Do you like tea? You do!? That’s nice, I’m glad I got that right. Thanks for comin’, by the way. Sorry I called you at...

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“Dinnertime Food Crimes” by Rebecca P L

Submitted to Contest #162

First impressions: the menu was worryingly long. As was the young waitress’ uniform, but that could be forgiven. Apparel could be tarnished any number of ways both inside and outside of the kitchen, accidents happen. A five page menu was not an accident. It wasn’t just that it was long either, the big problem was that there was such a wide variety of dishes. From Italian pasta to American-style barbecue to Greek gyros (on a plate! Criminal!), the restaurant truly lived up to its name, ‘The World Wide Restaurant’. At least the wine selection ...

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“There's A Fly In My Soup” by Kate Kilbee

Submitted to Contest #162

I didn't really need to look at the menu but I had been taught impeccable manners so I still did. Then I ordered the same thing as always; creamy tomato soup, a fresh crayfish and avocado salad and strawberry and apricot compote, which you could taste before you ate it as the scent of the fruit was mouthwatering. Enrico is a two times Michelin starred chef and his food is to die for. I ordered for my fiancé Jeremy too as I knew what he liked so it was the tomato soup and a chateaubriand steak done blue. He didn't eat desserts.Jeremy is alway...

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“The Language of FOOD” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #162

The LANGUAGE of FOOD “Well?’ “You do this every time we go out to dinner, rush, rush, rush. No wonder you get indigestion. I have only just started to read the menu. ” “I cannot wait for the day we find a restaurant with only two items on the menu and one is marked ‘not available tonight’. You are unbelievable, the time you take to decide. Just once make a decision before I die of starvation. I swear it will happen one night Julie.” “What, Mordecai Jenson die of starvation? Have you looked in a mirror lately? You take up twice the ...

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“Contradiction” by L.J Sunwing

Submitted to Contest #162

The brunette medical student sat down at a table in the restaurant, it was one of those odd rustic places that desired to look like a hole in the wall, but you knew that everything in it could only be bought by someone who worked in finance or medical administration. A desire of the elite to be vaguely accessible in a way they were not. She hated to admit that in the past few months she had become accustomed to this place, not by her own paycheck, but by that of a friend. The waitress walked over to the table, looked at the familiar patron, ...

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“Herb's Big Dinner Date” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #162

Herb’s Big Dinner Date“Anyone who can only think of one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination.”-Mark TwainWhat’s in a word? Herb was about to find out. Henry: hĕn’-rē; Henri’: hĕ-nrē’.Herb forgot the lessons of Sister Mary Margaret. It matters wh...

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“Super Sushi y Burritos” by ER Castaneda

Submitted to Contest #162

Jim looked at the Mexican-Sushi fusion restaurant menu, sighing. Why did he always allow Marcus to choose the places they would go for dinner during their monthly hangouts? He thought that maybe he should order a large garden salad? That seemed safe enough. “Dude,” said his best friend Marcus, as if reading his mind. “Don’t even think about getting a salad. Why would you even want to order that here when you have the option of getting Mexican food or sushi? This is such a cool place to try. Place just...

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“Mixed Reviews” by Noelani Whittington

Submitted to Contest #162

“What? They only serve brussels sprouts, clam chowder, tofu, and anchovy pizza. What kind of menu is this?” I think as I read through the distasteful menu of “The Magical Food Emporium.” The name is ironic because honestly, there is nothing magical about this place. It’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in a deserted neighborhood, with not a single person in the place, except for the one waiter. The waiter appears, waiting to take my order. Without saying a word, he stands there with a creepy grin, unceasingly waiting. “H-hello, how are y...

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Start your story with someone looking at a restaurant menu.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 80 stories

“The Menu Of Memories” by Kev Neylon

“Around The World In A Menu” by Joseph L Floyd

“Pretentious” by Lucia Whitely

“Chicken Parmesan” by Audrey Harmon

“Final Meal” by Sayonee M N

“A Meal to Remember” by Nirvana P

“Black grape ” by Emerson Marks

“A Simple Conversation ” by Emily Grace

“Dinnertime Food Crimes” by Rebecca P L

“There's A Fly In My Soup” by Kate Kilbee

“The Language of FOOD” by Brian Bywater

“Contradiction” by L.J Sunwing

“Herb's Big Dinner Date” by Murray Burns

“Super Sushi y Burritos” by ER Castaneda

“Mixed Reviews” by Noelani Whittington

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character whose love language is making food for others.

Write a story where a character’s life completely changes over the course of a meal.

Write a story in which too many cooks spoil the broth — literally or metaphorically.

Start your story with one character trying to convince another that they make the best grilled cheese in the world.

Contest #162

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

97

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: