The 4 Questions You Should Never Ask Your Server, Experts Warn

Sure, you could ask this question—but you might not get an honest answer. "Somewhere in the back of every server's mind is their check average," Daniel Liberson, a former waiter, told Washingtonian. "At the end of the day, up-selling is critical—it's how we're paying our rent."

Translation: If you ask your server for their favorite dish, they may direct you to some of the pricier options on the menu. That's not to say they're dishonest. While they might truly love both the steak and the burger, the steak might get the bigger push. If you're really interested in choosing the most creative or delicious item, do some research ahead of time to learn the restaurant's specialties or their most popular dishes (a quick skim on Yelp should suffice).