On the propriety of restaurants refilling Heinz ketchup bottles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was at this restaurant that has 14-oz glass Heinz ketchup bottles on the tables. I think when restaurants place these bottles on the tables the message is that these are new bottles of ketchup and they will be disposed of when they are empty. I could tell they were refilled because 1) they were filled to the brim unlike new bottles, 2) there were air bubbles in the bottles unlike new ones, and 3) the top where the lid screws on was gunky with dried and partially blackened ketchup around the glass threads.

I told the server the food and drink were good but that they were putting on airs by representing the ketchup as new. She said they refilled them from bulk Heinz containers, and she does it sometimes. I believe her -- it tasted like Heinz. But, it seems unethical and deceitful to me. What do you think?

This might be the funniest thing I have read all week.

+1

Putting on airs!!!

[Anonymous]

You seem to have a high view of the quality of this establishment. But they have ketchup on the table. Perhaps not quite so classy a joint.

[Anonymous]

What about glass salt and pepper shakers. Do you think they throw those out too when they are empty??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You seem to have a high view of the quality of this establishment. But they have ketchup on the table. Perhaps not quite so classy a joint.

Well, my view is shaped by its competitor that just has those round red no-name plastic squeeze ketchup bottles on the table, filled with generic no-name ketchup -- by its taste, clearly not Heinz. But, at least they are real. Not pretending they are something they aren't with fake new-looking Heinz ketchup bottles.

[Anonymous]

If you're having issue with this, you shouldn't be eating out.
You don't want to know what high end restaurants do in the kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone already knows about the refilling of the bottles, and being upset about it isn't a thing.

This. And they leave it out, unrefrigerated, overnight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone already knows about the refilling of the bottles, and being upset about it isn't a thing.

This. And they leave it out, unrefrigerated, overnight.

They leave it out, unrefrigerated, always. Because ketchup is shelf-stable.

https://www.thekitchn.com/5-condiments-that-dont-have-to-be-refrigerated-tips-from-the-kitchn-215951

[Anonymous]

You need to get a life OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about glass salt and pepper shakers. Do you think they throw those out too when they are empty??

Once saw a kid licking one (salt). Never touched one again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was at this restaurant that has 14-oz glass Heinz ketchup bottles on the tables. I think when restaurants place these bottles on the tables the message is that these are new bottles of ketchup and they will be disposed of when they are empty. I could tell they were refilled because 1) they were filled to the brim unlike new bottles, 2) there were air bubbles in the bottles unlike new ones, and 3) the top where the lid screws on was gunky with dried and partially blackened ketchup around the glass threads.

I told the server the food and drink were good but that they were putting on airs by representing the ketchup as new. She said they refilled them from bulk Heinz containers, and she does it sometimes. I believe her -- it tasted like Heinz. But, it seems unethical and deceitful to me. What do you think?

This might be the funniest thing I have read all week.

+1 I know, right!?!

[Anonymous]

Lol!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I waited tables in the 80's we refilled ketchup bottles like that at the end of the night after closing. If a ketchup bottle started to look gunky we were supposed to replace it with a fresh bottle. The head waiter/waitress would come by and inspect our tables (including the ketchup bottles) and we would get written up if they found something amiss.

It does not necessarily surprise me that restaurants do this nor does it surprise me that some restaurants might have lower standards than other restaurants do. Check your bottles.

ME too, also in the 80s. Marrying the catsup bottles was part of the sidework. We had to use HOT towels to wipe down the bottles and the opening before marrying them. (My love I troth to you, hahaa, we though that was funny. After a 10 hr shift...) Anyway, it was a Ruby Tuesday, and we also had to have X white sugar packets, Y Sweet and Lows, Z Brown sugars in the container on the table. No more, no less. They were SUPER picky about everything. Worst restaurant I ever worked for, hours of sidework. Wretched place.

[Anonymous]

This post has to be satire, right?

[Anonymous]

Of course they refill them. There is nothing unethical or misleading about it. They should do a better job of cleaning them, but I woukd rather have some crusty crap I can wipe off with a clean napkin then have someone clean them with a dirty cloth.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s grosser to see a half-empty bottle, but I agree they should be wiped down.

—former marrier of ketchup