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Started By
Message
Can we stop the madness? Leaving tails on shrimp in dishes
Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:24 pm
Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:24 pm
In the past few months, I've had shrimp dishes at 4 different restaurants where the chef leaves the tails on the shrimp. I'm not talking fried shrimp dishes, but dishes such as salad with shrimp, shrimp fettuccine, shrimp ramen, etc.
I find it extremely annoying when I have to pick out all the shrimp, separate the tails, then eat.
It seems like a trend that's become more popular in the past year. Is there some reasoning for leaving the tails on?
I find it extremely annoying when I have to pick out all the shrimp, separate the tails, then eat.
It seems like a trend that's become more popular in the past year. Is there some reasoning for leaving the tails on?
18
Posted on 6/25/25 at 10:35 pm to Shexter
It's absurd. Is it laziness?
If I'm eating any meal with a fork, the tails need off.
If I'm eating any meal with a fork, the tails need off.
Posted on 6/25/25 at 11:11 pm to Shexter
It's either to make the portion size look bigger or out of laziness/efficiency, but either way, it needs to stop.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 2:02 am to Shexter
I recall having to do this in the 90s too, it's annoying but I don't think it's new.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 6:10 am to KosmoCramer
I don't think it's laziness. It's easier to peel the whole shrimp rather than peel everything but leave the tail. At least for me. I think they do for aesthetics. Regardless, it is retarded.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 6:32 am to LSUballs
quote:
It's easier to peel the whole shrimp rather than peel everything but leave the tail
If they are purchasing fresh shrimp. Frozen shrimp still have the tail half the time.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 6:53 am to Shexter
quote:
shrimp fettuccine,
Pasta dishes to the best of my memories have always had tail on? Certainly scampi has. I’m not Italian so I’m not here to argue the authentic way, but pasta it seems more normal to have on than off.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 7:12 am to baldona
quote:
pasta it seems more normal to have on than off.
That's the most egregious instance of this happening. Your hands get all saucy pinching the tails off the shrimp.
The reason is they probably buy the shrimp peeled and deveined with the tail on IQF.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 7:46 am to Shexter
AMEN! This makes no sense. I have to make a mess taking the tails to eat my dish. What a pain in the arse.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 8:07 am to Shexter
I totally agree. If I wanted to eat shrimp like finger food, I'd opt for a boil.
The only time I feel it is acceptable is a shrimp cocktail where the shrimp are in a circle with the tails outside the serving dish and the meaty part in the cocktail sauce.
Pick up the shrimp by the intact tail and just pinch it to eat the entire shrimp.
I don't want any tail on shrimp in a pasta dish with a cream sauce. That's just too damn messy.
The only time I feel it is acceptable is a shrimp cocktail where the shrimp are in a circle with the tails outside the serving dish and the meaty part in the cocktail sauce.
Pick up the shrimp by the intact tail and just pinch it to eat the entire shrimp.
I don't want any tail on shrimp in a pasta dish with a cream sauce. That's just too damn messy.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 8:23 am to Saskwatch
quote:
Frozen shrimp still have the tail half the time.
That makes no sense. You can get peeled or unpeeled frozen shrimp as easily as frozen with the tail on. It's mainly for visual presentation. Shrimp with the tail attached retain their shape better and won't curl into a circle as much as peeled shrimp. And some believe the portion of shell will add a slight bump in shrimp flavor to the dish, which is not an unfounded idea. But I as well think the practice rather pointless and not worth the hassle.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 8:28 am to Shexter
Posted on 6/26/25 at 8:43 am to LSUballs
quote:
I think they do for aesthetics
This is the reason. It's all about presentation.
I don't give a shite about presentation. Ease of eating without making a mess is a priority.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:13 am to Midget Death Squad
quote:
I don't give a shite about presentation.
We’re shocked.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:42 am to Shexter
Either leave the shrimp whole for flavor or peel the whole damn thing. If I have to get my hands dirty anyway, give me the head and all so at least I know I'll get more shrimp flavor.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:51 am to Mo Jeaux
quote:
We’re shocked.
Hi HoJo. I see the admins axed Baloney's and my posts, so your TeamDegenerates has been reduced to just you. Anywho, you do not know what you are talking about. I'm a master at presentation. I present to you my Pollo LA'Orange as evidence:
This post was edited on 6/26/25 at 9:52 am
Posted on 6/26/25 at 9:59 am to Shexter
I love Trenasse's shrimp and grits, but they leave the tails on. It would be a near perfect dish if they removed the tails. I assume they only do it because it makes it look fancier.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 10:06 am to Shexter
I very seriously doubt it's laziness. I imagine it's intended as a sign of quality and for aesthetics. With that said, I found it the height of annoying until I worked out a way to deal with it without looking like a caveman: spear the shrimp with your fork and then put the knife right at the tail shell parallel to the shrimp (so flat part of knife against the shrimp). Saw back and forth a couple of times to cut into the shell, then rotate the knife up to flip up the part of the shell you cut and put pressure on the other side of the tail shell. Gently pull the shrimp out with the fork.
And before someone wants to be snarky, yes, it looks complicated when written out in detail but takes a grand total of about two seconds, so frick off
And before someone wants to be snarky, yes, it looks complicated when written out in detail but takes a grand total of about two seconds, so frick off
Posted on 6/26/25 at 10:12 am to Midget Death Squad
quote:
It's all about presentation.
I think this is a big reason. I don't know if there are any other reasons, but I don't like it. It's a PITA to get to the tail meat when the shrimp are in a dish meant to be eaten with a fork.
Posted on 6/26/25 at 10:21 am to Shexter
Our local Mexican joint has the best camarones a la diabla. They leave the tails on the shrimp, so I have to pick through spicy sauce to get them all off.
I've stopped ordering the dish because of it.
I've stopped ordering the dish because of it.
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