A restaurant insider has shared some important warnings about what not to order when dining out. According to the source, certain meals and drinks carry a much higher risk of making customers sick or costing them more than they expect.

One major red flag is the so-called “specials.” While they may sound tempting, if the meal is not based on seasonal ingredients, it’s often just a way for the kitchen to use up food that is close to spoiling.

Chefs can easily cover up aging ingredients with heavy sauces and decorations, leaving diners paying full price for what could be yesterday’s leftovers.

Seafood is another risky choice. Shellfish and other seafood served in restaurants far from the coast may not always be fresh. Unless the restaurant receives daily deliveries and follows strict storage rules, seafood can become unsafe very quickly and cause serious food poisoning.

Buffet dishes also raise concerns, especially chicken. In busy food service settings, proper temperature checks are not always done, which creates the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to grow. This means that what looks like a tasty buffet option could actually be dangerous.

Even drinks are not always safe. Many ice machines in restaurants are not cleaned often enough, allowing bacteria to build up inside. As a result, the ice in your drink could be filled with germs, turning what should be a refreshing beverage into something harmful.

Finally, the insider revealed that some menus are deliberately designed to trick customers. By hiding or moving prices to unusual spots, restaurants push people into making quick choices without thinking carefully. This often leads to spending much more than intended.