Tomatoes: Get out of my food

[AndyP]

I wanted to discuss a problem that I believe has reached epidemic proportions now, and that is, restaurants and cafes unexpectedly putting tomatoes in your food.

I first became more conscious of this issue during the Qld OZgolf Champs in Cairns last year. A few of the guys couldn't get to Cairns GC as early as others, so they had the early arrivers order food for them. Lefty, who is not a tomato fan, was one of these, and he became a victim of this random (or is it) tomato problem.

Lefty did the right thing, by checking the menu online, noting the contents of the different options, and settling on a wrap of some sort for his order. There was NO TOMATO listed as a content of this wrap. You can imagine his distress when receiving his order and finding big slices of tomato in his wrap. I don't know how he went on to win the Champs that weekend, but I guess he was lucky that this happened on the Friday.

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. In fact, it wasn't even a one off for that weekend. It became a bit of a running joke, with slices of tomato or grilled tomatoes turning up in orders. What else can you do but make light of it?

In the following months, I have been a victim several times, but I just let it go. No meal was safe. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Lefty wrote it off as a Queensland thing, but now I'm not so sure. I'm in another state and it has happened again.

Is this some sort of conspiracy between tomato farmers and the hospitality industry? Or do they just throw it on our plate because there is no demand for them, with an over supply? Where will it end? Will other fruits and vegetables start making their way on to our plate uninvited? Brussel sprouts anyone?

Enough is enough. Something needs to be done. It's time to name and shame.

Grand Bar, Glenelg Beach, SA.
Item ordered: hash brown and mushroom stack with sweet chilli cottage cheese. No tomato listed.


Don't let these crimes against food continue.

[Dotty]

Tomatoes are evil.

Each time I consider a fresh roll at the canteen, I read the list of ingredients of each option (holding up those in the queue behind me), then say I was after something without tomato and walk off to the bain marie for a roast beef roll.

[AndyP]

At least it is listed, Dotty, so you can make the decision to not have it or ask for it without. Tomatoes should not be forced upon people.

[3Puttpete]

And they say Adelaide’s boring

[HOPHEAD]

Cant beat a nice fresh picked homegrown tomato

[spanner039]

Your a very angry man AP, I knew one day you would crack

[AndyP]

Dessert seems safe.

[Lagerlover]

No problem with free food.. as long as you didn't bring the tomato in to the state yourself.

[goughy]

I'm only really concerned about pickles.
I can barely slice the tomatoes thick enough for my toasted sandwiches.
My daughter and my fil don't like tomatoes. But when I make a salad I put Cherry tomatoes in, but rather than put them in whole, or even sliced in half, I squeeze them so the split open and juice etc goes through it.

[Coopers Country]

As someone who wouldn't touch tomatoes until I grew my own , I can say that there is no comparison to the store bought crap

[benno_r]

I think tomatoes are the new chemtrails.

Pumped full of mind altering zombie control chemicals.

Lucky so many of us are #woke.

[JoeS]

Cooks in the kitchen just use them for garnishing these days.Since the demise of tomato juice they jave to get rid of them somehow

[AndyP]

No problem with free food.. as long as you didn't bring the tomato in to the state yourself.

It's not free. If they didn't put the tomato there, the meal would be cheaper. Wake up!

[KristianJ]

As much as I agree with you, Andy...just consider yourself lucky it wasn't a case of unsolicited coriander.

[mrbluu]

Agreed tomatoes not in a sauce is the work of the devil!!!

Dessert seems safe.

Is Peppas with u??

[AndyP]

I'm not saying they are evil, although that may be the case. I'm saying they should not be added to meals when it hasn't been stated.

I think the government needs to act.

[mrbluu]

I'm not saying they are evil, although that may be the case. I'm saying they should not be added to meals when it hasn't been stated.

I think the government needs to act.

Another postal vote?

[PerryGroves]

Poor modding on this thread, are we talking about cooked tom or just the sliced variety?

As an aside, I hate beetroot, regardless of its state.

[spanner039]

So much hate

[Steve57]

A salad is not a salad without tomato and beetroot!

[Daves]

A salad is not a salad without tomato and beetroot!

Report it to the ACCC, Andy. I am sure they will have a form you can fill in!

[Lagerlover]

Report it to the ACCC, Andy. I am sure they will have a form you can fill in!

Or Argos

[AndyP]

are we talking about cooked tom or just the sliced variety?.

Both.
If it is not listed on the menu, why is it going on the plate?

[mrbluu]

As an aside, I hate beetroot, regardless of its state.

Piss off and get your own thread!!!

[Yossarian]

Get on ziggys stakes.