86 (eighty-six)

86 means an item is sold out, unavailable, or being held back. In a real restaurant, the kitchen might 86 grilled salmon, certain dumplings, or a special sauce after the lunch rush. For phone orders, this matters because the caller may ask for something you cannot make. The phone host or staff should know the item is unavailable before confirming the order. That avoids awkward call-backs and refunds. If you are 86 on a topping, the order should not be sold with that item attached. Clear 86 handling is especially useful on busy nights when staff are moving fast and the menu changes by the hour. It keeps the phone order honest and saves the kitchen from making something impossible. For common order questions, owners also use Menu, hours and allergen questions.