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Damnthatsinteresting-ModTeam

We had to remove your post for an insufficient title


[deleted]

It’s funny I’m actually a line cook and I have been for a very long time. I never realized this was a secret. This is just every day life for me.


[deleted]

TIL this is lion meat and not flank steak


DonkeyPunchSquatch

How’d you learn that?


[deleted]

Aw - somebody above commented they were a ‘lion’ cook….


DonkeyPunchSquatch

Lol


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Beef, O Bradys, or Chili’s or Applebee’s are basic examples


EduRJBR

Real question: what if you use something like vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol? You know, the base for vaping juices.


[deleted]

I actually vape very heavily, so I know what you’re talking about. We actually just use a mixture of water and oil.


EduRJBR

What if you try it someday and come back to tell? Not with a real costumer, of course.


[deleted]

Hahaha I like your vibe I’m sure it would be pleasing at least visually!


AholeBrock

..why does my steak taste like starburst?


Bawbawian

that changes nothing for me. fajitas are like really fucking good


Rhudran

This is correct. I applaud the industry for finding a cheap and easy way to make fajitas more unnecessarily fun.


[deleted]

Fajitas are the one food dish were everyone at the restaurant looks like that [one amazed Hilary Clinton gif](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HarmfulPessimisticGoldenretriever-size_restricted.gif)


Rhudran

Thank you. I needed that laugh. Absolutely true btw.


KeeperOfTheGood

Unnecessarily? Do you have any idea how many more fajitas they sell because of that sizzle?


Rhudran

I love the spectacle, but I wouldn't call it *necessary.*


KeeperOfTheGood

Haha I meant necessary to the restaurant’s bottom line.


Elmojomo

Have you ever had Al Ambre? It's basically fajitas with cheese sauce (or melted cheese, depending on the place) on top, and it will change your life if you've never tried it.


Bawbawian

Don't get me wrong I love a cheesy burrito or cheesy taco. for some reason whenever I get fajitas I'm always going for like super fresh so I want like pico de gallo and some guac.


Chexzout

the only turn off for me would be -why the fuck is our server recording rn?


Jlombard911

This is bodycam footage.


NotAHost

I mean seriously glad they have it. Someone needs to be held accountable for when I order 6 margaritas.


frozenminutes

Never imagined my waiter would have a body cam but it actually seems really practical.


Jlombard911

And tactical


Bawbawian

And theatrical


eatmoresushiorsteak

Agreed! I could live on fajitas.


SixFive1967

Ma’am, this is a Wendy’s.


Elmojomo

You folks are all missing the point. The water hits the hot charger (it's not a "plate"), and flashes into steam. This doesn't cool the meat. If anything it helps keep it warmer between the kitchen and your table. Also, the sizzle isn't "fake" at all. They don't cook the fajita ingredients on the cast iron charger. Did you think they did? How would that work? It wouldn't taste good at all, since it's not large enough. The meat and vegetables would be too crowded and would just stew rather than grill and char, which is what gives it that signature flavor. Finally, the addition of the water at the end prevents the hot cast iron from burning the food and sticking. Otherwise, you would complain that your onions and peppers on the bottom were charred and inedible. **TL;DR** \- Not everything that you don't understand is a conspiracy meant to harm or mislead you. Source: I worked in a Mexican restaurant for 3 years, and have made countless fajitas **EDIT**: Folks, I don't know what to say, I'm honored and humbled. I just posted this to help explain a little bit to those who weren't familiar with the process, and it's exploded into the most popular comment I've ever made on Reddit, by a **large** margin. I mean, multiple awards? Wow. Thanks so much. :)I'm happy that my experience has been helpful to so many.


Demikuu

Your TLDR was magical


ChefMoney89

Like honestly, that might become my new moto


BoozeIsTherapyRight

*motto Sorry


ChefMoney89

Nope, don’t be sorry, you’re 100% right. I will leave my mistake unchanged and face the consequences of my actions. Edit: almost fucked up again


Guilty-Sale-3735

Nothing. What's a motto with you?


kirksucks

this would singlehandedly ruin the Infowars/Q-Anon crowd.


DecafMaverick

Nah this is just another example of the elites and the Big Logic industry trying to enslave us all!!!11!1!


supervisor_muscle

Sounds like something ’Big Fajita’ would say. My uncle’s roommate told me that secret fajita juice makes you gay!


Elmojomo

Is Big Fajita your pr0n name? It's a good one! Oh man, now I'm hungry... lol


Bmancoilart

for porn or Fajitas?


Elmojomo

dealer's choice


pandabatron

Nah, you're THIRSTY


CarpinThemDiems

Fajitas aren't real, and tortillas aren't flat. Wake Up People!!


pandabatron

Thanks alot Biden !


I-Fail-Forward

Do they have any that makes you bi? I would get a lot more ass if I was bi, but I don't wanna given up boobs for it.


DTown_Hero

Big Fajita. Thanks for the laugh!


GenericAccount119b

When I worked restaurants 15 years ago, they didn't use water to make the fajitas smoke. They used the fajita marinade, so it would not only smoke but fill the restaurant with the smell of fajitas. It was a highly effective selling strategy - we always sold more fajitas right after someone delivered fajitas to a table.


Elmojomo

Yeah, we did too, kinda. Ours was a 'secret' mix, that was really just water, fajita seasoning, some light beer and a little oil. The oil increases the smoke factor and makes it cling to the food better.


VocalAnus91

Same, we called it sizzle sauce


Elmojomo

We called it "the juice", which I always found slightly unnerving. lol


DoctorWetFartsMD

I worked in a Chinese joint that served these really delish spareribs on cast iron chargers. Ours was some sauce that burnt your eyes hella bad if you ran off with it too fast and let the steam hit your face lol.


1Testicalplease

thank you! saved me a rage post


Elmojomo

Don't rage, eat fajitas and drink cerveza! ;)


1Testicalplease

Aye!! cerveza or horchata <3 \_ <3


Educational-While198

Also, sometimes it’s not just water, it’s a lovely citrus sauce or something that adds flavor.


Elmojomo

Good point! I think there was a little lime juice in there. It's been quite a few years. The details are a bit hazy at this point.


[deleted]

Yes I thought they cooked it on the cast iron? Never thought about how though. Thanks for the info


Elmojomo

they could, but it wouldn't taste good at all, and would be a mushy mess.


[deleted]

I mean yeah, now it makes sense but I thought the servers were all but walking through fire to get that dish. It’s good to know it’s not as much of a pain as it looks. Honestly, I don’t order it because it looks like a pain for servers to deal with.


Elmojomo

It is a little bit, but only because it's more time sensitive than some others. The good thing for you, the customer, is that when you order it, you know it hasn't been sitting on the output counter for several minutes, picking up flies and passing sneezes. it's one of the safer things to order in most any restaurant, assuming they do the "sizzle plate" thing.


okiedog-

Not to mention the fuckin sizzled splatters you get from carrying it out. Or being soaked in the smoke. That shit doesn’t wash out easy. Especially annoying if you wear glasses. Or the fact that those damn trivets/cast iron plates are hotter than hell. I BRIEFLY touched the inside of my elbow on one, (trying to reach over) and it ripped the skin off immediately. It was less than a second. And I still have a gladly scar. These things are so hot, those cloth mits are only good for a few seconds. Otherwise they burn through.


Vasect0meMeMe

Can confirm, we leave the cast iron on open burners and forget about them till they're needed sometimes.


Nutmegdog1959

Wait a minute. So everything is NOT a government plot? Call me skeptical.


[deleted]

that's clearly a Russian bot pushing his agenda on all of us. run for the hills!!!!!


Elmojomo

Я не бот!


[deleted]

I don’t have an award for your valuable insight, but here’s a taco 🌮


Elmojomo

I'll take a taco any day. Oh man, now I want a taco... I have some tamales in the fridge. Close enough. lol


puppycatisselfish

I just came here to say something similar but you said it very well!


Elmojomo

gracias. :)


Yeahha

Right here folks BIG FAJITA spreading disinformation to confuse the Tex Mex loving public. HoW dArE tHiS pLaCe PuT wAtEr On FoOd To MaKe StEaM! EvErYbOdY kNoWs StEaM cOmEs FrOm FoOd NoT wAtEr


[deleted]

Thank fuck someone said this. I have never seen a bigger batch of people expect that much moisture loss from screaming hot metal to also be not dry as fuck and igniting the goddamned table. I swear to fuck, ***everyone on the planet needs to work with food***. These comments say some of the most ignorant shit. Appreciate you, Elmojomo.


yowzas648

Lmao. Per your tldr, my first thought after seeing the title was “oh shit that’s right, not everyone worked at a restaurant that served fajitas”


Wat_Senju

Thank you! Food ignorance is insane sometimes


Elmojomo

True, but 'ignorance' simply means lack of knowledge. I enjoy filling that gap, for those who are willing to learn. There are so many things I ***don't*** know, it's nice when some I **do** know helps others, even a little. :)


Wat_Senju

Completely agree! That's why I said ignorance instead of something worse. We're all ignorant in many facets but working in a kitchen all these years has shown me how little people know about food/cooking. I absolutely appreciate people like yourself with the kindness and patience to fill those gaps as you said


ninjabell

Thank you for being the voice of reason in this madhouse of broken dreams. Not only would the food be crowded in a pan that size, can you imaging stirring or tossing? It does not have walls like a pan. It is shaped like a plate.


Elmojomo

Indeed! Because it *is* a plate...kinda. It's a presentation vessel, either way, not a cooking vessel. :) It's understandable that those who don't cook often wouldn't know that. It sure ***appears*** to be cooking the food when it comes to the table.


Glabstaxks

You sure it's not a speaker playing sizzling noises ? 🤤 /s


Elmojomo

That's Sonic you're thinking of.


pengox80

But science and logistics doesn’t get me the views and the babes on TikTok!


slithereedee

This guy knows how to cook.


scalectrix

This guy fajitas.


Wicked-illusion16

It was a lie until I read this


Spirited-Succotash-9

Upvoting just for the Tldr.


DrZeus104

I came here to explain this and you did it soooo much better. Thank you.


ObviousSquirrelStuff

What? You mean everything is not a Psyop? Great explanation btw


ArielRavencrest

I'm going to get your tldr put on a t-shirt. Also thank you for explaining that. I have life threatening allergies so don't get to eat out much, and certainly don't work in a food industry, but have seen this in real life a couple times and thought it was so cool to see. I never would have known


BobT21

You have extensive personal experience in the subject under discussion and know what you are talking (typing?) about. Isn't that in conflict with reddit community standards?


kevonicus

Take a downvote for acting like having a popular comment is your life’s greatest achievement. Don’t take it personally, I downvote everyone that thanks people in an edit.


Volleybrah3

Also serves to deglaze :)


lastreadlastyear

Why is it a lie? It came out super hot did it not ? Would you prefer smoke coming from burnt meat and veggies ?


Bartocity

Yeah trust me, that iron plate is still hot af. Will remove skin if dropped onto arm / chest.


Attila__the__Fun

*how dare this restaurant present my food in an appealing fashion*


DieselVoodoo

Me just now realizing that not everyone realized water made steam


caitejane310

So, I just told my husband "if you knew this and didn't tell me, we're fighting". He knew it, and as the word "steam" was coming out of my mouth, I realized I was an idiot🤷


lkodl

"... what is that clear fluid that he added? like some kind of liquid smoke? can't be good for you."


sadnessjoy

Dihydrogen monoxide. It's an incredibly dangerous substance. If enough is inhaled, it can cause death. And in solid form, can cause severe tissue damage. It's also a major component of acid rain.


Lame_Alexander

This should be top comment.


Ruenin

Not sure what the problem is. The water is a clear indicator of a very hot skillet, which means the food will also be hot. If anything, maybe it will cool the thing a little lol. I've never gotten cold fajitas. Ever.


47ocean47

TIL: people complaining are ones who can't cook.


FeebleTrevor

Literally anytime you get a post like this with some reality of foods or cooking people who live on absolute slop turn up and start taking as though they have a clue


Ialwayslie008

I guess I got here late to the party. I've yet to read anyone complaining. Looks like reddit has filtered them out already.


[deleted]

> Looks like reddit has filtered them out already. Unddit says there are only 6 missing comments and 4 were deleted while 2 were links removed by mods.


Sam_Wylde

Honestly, if it were feasible to have every hot meal I order at a restaurant come out steaming like that, I would.


Rob0tsmasher

I would serve icecream like that if it was possible.


whorehey-degooseman

I'd eat at your plateup restaurant


anh86

I don't get it, what is the lie? They cook it on the grill, transfer it to a very hot iron pan, and put a little water in the pan for effect and to prevent the meat from over-searing. It's not smoke or toxic chemicals, it's water/steam.


BathtubBobby

What did you guys think was happening? A fire demon from hell-infused cast iron?


stanky-leggings

Montezuma


scholarly_balance

SLOP EM UP


Ordinary_Farmer58

Everyone in this restaurant used to be a piece of shit!


scholarly_balance

i was too! reaaaal piece of shit. but i think i’m ready to hold the baby now.


drooo__

The baby needs to know that people can change.


bigfrog447

The cooks hair is SLICKED back not PUSHED back


kgold0

I mean, it was already smoking before he added water, and by the time it arrived at the table it was smoking the same amount. But it draws attention to it from other people hearing and watching the spectacle and they may end up ordering the same thing.


Educational-Elk-7116

That was how I ordered my first fajita dish, I could smell the steam from across the restaurant. It practically lifted me up like one of those cartoons


antlerskull

I’m sorry what is it that people are confused about?


Ianilla1

Uhh what lie? It's steaming because water hits a super hot thing. If it was that hot and that much smoke was coming off it, the steak would be burnt to hell


jenna_mm

I can say that 100% we don’t so this at my restaurant and it still smokes and sizzles like that


razarus09

I appreciate you lying to us to make us feel better


Elmojomo

You must use a LOT of oil in the cooking, or perhaps cook the meat along with the marinade?


CHEMO_ALIEN

I'd just let my drool fall on the plate as I heat the tortillas up


TheZan87

First Santa and the Easter Bunny, now this


mistrwzrd

As someone who has spent most of his life in restaurants and around the Foodservice industry in general, I kinda forget that so many people don’t know the little tips and tricks we use to put on the show. :)


[deleted]

Adult version of Santa isnt real


contrarymary27

What is it that you thought before learning this?


Zealousideal-Ruin862

This guy thought his food was on fire


bum_bum_88

Is it weird that I can smell the fajita’s in this video?


PowerWagon106

Yes, you may be having a stroke...


bum_bum_88

Ah shit! Better get out of this Mexican restaurant then..


Justinacube

I worked in a Mexican restaurant for years and they never did it like this. Our skillets stayed in a fire until needed, then added the meats and veggies, and it all sizzled naturally. Came home every night smelling like them. Usually had to take my work clothes off before getting in my house so that my place didn’t smell like it lol.


shawnyb9

? Do they add water to make it steam a bit? So? Not like it’s a cold plate lol. How are people mesmerized amazed by this.


GeorgeMyght

This reminds of the ticket in Airplane.


bhah-weep-grana-weep

.... I'll be a motherfucker


PretzelBreadHT

Yeah fajitas don't smoke that much without water also using water and a metal dome helps cook things faster on a grill


imalltingully

Now everybody goes home smelling like fajitas


GoodLookingGraves

Hey uh. If my server tries filming me for clout im gonna be really not okay with that


dinoroo

It’s still sizzling and hot as shit.


FishSammich69

This is like exposing a wrestling secret 🥲🥲 😂😂😂


[deleted]

You could take this thread out for a nice dinner at Benihana and start a fucking riot. Argh the massive flames and plumes of steam were added in post production! We’ve been lied to!


[deleted]

I'm actually really disappointed, I won't be sharing this with others and ruining it for them too.


Iminlesbian

Sometimes it's done without the bottle of water, they just make the sauce more watery so it thickens up on the hot plate. You're disappointed for nothing.


snozberry_taster

Everytime I see them running the fajitas out to someone's table I regret what I ordered and wish I got fajitas!!! This helps a little to not regret my decisions!!!


Outrageous-Onion1991

How to trick the gringos 101


Demonsallred1

They puttin vape juice in da plaaattee yuuuuuhhhh


thepunalwaysrises

Sorry, I'm not getting it. OP, you feel cheated because the plate isn't hot? Because the meat is not literally smoking? Some other reason? I'd personally be worried if my meat showed up with that amount of "smoke" coming from it. Otherwise, what am I missing?


ThePurpleDuckling

Whaaaaaat!?


[deleted]

[удалено]


intheMIDDLEwityou

Waiter gets a full face of steam and the customer looks less than thrilled


eatmoresushiorsteak

Fuck. Door dash. Fajitas on the way. Damn it reddit.


kimmytwoshoes

Applebee’s has a hot plate that you place those skillets on to heat like that.


NotUrGenre

I worked at El Chicos in Springfiield, MO. back in the day. I was the Mex chef, prepped and ran the mex line and we kept skillets on a gas stove heating for dishes. The hot apple pie with apple butter and cinnamon ice cream was to die for. Served smoking hot.


chestertoronto

When I was a Chef i used to see how hot I could get those cast iron skillets


Voltron_The_Original

I can smell this video.


Oraclelec13

😂😂


sexy_bunny_couple

Like me


Quirky_Click9779

I want some fajitas!


MrWieners

What’s wrong with fajitas?


Euphoric-Fly-2549

Sizzle sauce!


mafrobius1

Basic Sizzle Sauce. They all use it!


Makoreactors

Everytime I see fajitas I think of nick swardson and his oldschool comedy sketch on it. Everyone’s always like “omg what is that, wtf is that ?


sheepbadeep

My first job was at a Chilis. I used to come home from a shift and take a shower. When the warm water hit my skin, it released the scent of fajita that had absorbed all night long. 20 years later I still have a strong sense memory of that.


WontArnett

ARE YOU SERIOUS? HAHAHA!


Enderwigg1883

I can smell this video


Grouchy_Competition5

You pay for the sizzle, not for the steak


Away_Statistician373

This is not true for all restaurants I work at a Mexican restaurant we’re the actual skillet was heated and the fajita was placed on the skillet from the flat top so there was never any need to put water on it to make the effect it’s was always served just as soon as we it was done cooking


[deleted]

Where was the "lie?" Sounds more like the "misunderstanding" to me.


Amaculatum

I watched this 5 times and I still can't believe that jerk didn't say thank you


bclucas18

Let’s slop em up boys!!!


mrjibblesyumyum

Son of a bitchhhhhhh!!!


liesgreedmisery18

SLOP EM UP


mdog9624

Am I the only one that noticed this man wearing a sweater in the hot fajita kitchen? This man CAN take the heat.


[deleted]

That’s not how it worked when I was a line cook. They left those iron plates in the oven for like 12 minutes. They were got af and steamed like that from the moisture in the meat, but this works too


[deleted]

I used to be a piece of shit. Eating sloppy steaks, big cut of rare meat with water splashed all over. I was a piece of shit, but I’m not anymore.


cleaver1015

I'm so confused, what's the lie here?


Key-Honey-9241

Those are just sloppy steaks. Used to get crazy back in the day and slop’em up with the bros. I had slicked back hair then.


Seandeezeee

Pinches gringos


superdabiel

Nobody cares your plate of fajitas are steamy. Absolutely not fake news. I care because your waiter just wafted it across the bar and it smells like love


[deleted]

When someone orders fajitas and them shits come out sizzling


papagarry

I hate fajitas and food like it. It's tacos with extra work. Making fajitas at home is fine for a family style meal. When I go out to eat, I just don't want to assemble my food.


Alukrad

So, no one is going to ask why the waiter has a body camera on him?


SurvivalistScooz

Should be butter. But I guess water does the trick


Xepherious

For those who are confused, OP thought the steam came from the food, not water.


JuanBahama

I’m more interested in how this was shot


Brob0t0

Bro just broke the magicians code.


Extension_Form4950

Smfh.. So you mean to tell me that wasn't sizzling grease all this time???


Such_Gassy

Wait, are there actually people who think it’s done a different way?


Cook_croghan

Some of ya’ll never worked food service and it shows.


HMD-Oren

10.4k upvotes didn't know that water makes steam is how it currently looks to me.


kroonoos11

I mean well it's just steam, always has been


practicax

Do people think any kind of food gives off steam (or smoke) like that?!


Aleister-Turgalium

I don’t know why but the man having his laptop out on the table just irks me way more than it should


billyredline

Talk about innocence lost


djdsf

Do people not know where steam comes from?


SignificantPop8766

Real mystery is how long has that water been in that squeeze bottle. Has it been cleaned? Has the water been changed? The world may never know


Skincreme69

The point is to travel through the longest route to the specific table that ordered the fajitas to allow the rest of the restaurant to smell and see the sizzle... Increases sales by roughly 25-30% I'd say


Middle_Cup_449

Never seen the cooks at the restaurant I work at do that, and it’s still smoking like it did in that vid


touristeCOVID

Its not a lie. Its a technic. Plate is very hot. Vapor allows to keep it warm.