What Does 86 Mean in a Restaurant? In the restaurant industry, "86" signifies that a menu item is out of stock or no longer available. Originating from the 20th-century diner slang, it helps staff quickly communicate with each other about items that need to be removed from the menu. When a dish is "86'd," it allows the kitchen and front-of-house team to avoid confusion and manage customer expectations, ensuring a seamless dining experience. This shorthand streamlines operations, helping restaurants maintain efficiency and avoid serving items that are no longer in supply.
What Does 86 Mean in a Restaurant?