garbage plate

English

Etymology

Said to have originated at Nick Tahou Hots, a New York restaurant, with garbage presumably referring to the poor nutritional profile of fast foods.

Noun

garbage plate (plural garbage plates)

1. (New York, slang) A large serving of mixed fast foods, such as hamburger patties, fries, macaroni salad, etc.
   • 2013, Liana Holmberg, Deborah Steinberg, Writing That Risks: New Work from Beyond the Mainstream:

     In Kevin's hometown of Rochester, New York, going out for garbage plates was a pastime for him and his buddies.

   • 2014, Martin Hintz, Pam Percy, Food Lovers' Guide to Wisconsin:

     Breakfast is wonderful, especially the “garbage plates” made up of five eggs, hash browns, green peppers, onions, […]

Related terms

• blue-plate special
• mixed plate

See also

• munchy box
• shit on a shingle