What does 86 mean in a restaurant? Origin and definition
Restaurant slang meaning an item is sold out or no longer available.
86 (pronounced eighty-six) means an item is sold out, unavailable, or should be removed from service. For restaurants, this single term communicates instantly across the kitchen and floor that something has run out. When the chef calls “86 salmon,” every server knows to stop offering it immediately.
Key facts
- Definition: Item is sold out or unavailable for service
- Usage: Verb (“86 the salmon”) or adjective (“salmon is 86’d”)
- Secondary meaning: To refuse service to or remove a person
- Origin: Uncertain; multiple theories exist
The quick definition
86 is restaurant slang that communicates an item should no longer be sold. It works both as a verb (“we need to 86 the halibut”) and as an adjective (“the halibut is 86’d”).
The term applies to:
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Sold out items | ”86 salmon, just sold the last one” |
| Removed items | ”86 the special, chef pulled it” |
| Cancelled orders | ”86 table 12’s apps, they left” |
| Refused service | ”86 that guest at the bar” |
Why 86 matters
Instant communication
In a loud, fast-paced kitchen, “86 salmon” communicates faster than “we’ve run out of salmon and servers should stop offering it.” Speed matters during service.
Prevents disappointment
Quick 86 communication prevents:
- Guests ordering unavailable items
- Servers promising what kitchen cannot deliver
- Awkward conversations mid-service
- Wasted time on impossible orders
Signals inventory issues
Tracking 86s reveals patterns:
| Pattern | What It Suggests |
|---|---|
| Same item 86’d repeatedly | Need to increase order quantity |
| 86s early in service | Prep forecasting issues |
| Popular items running out | Demand higher than expected |
| Rare 86s | Good inventory management |
Origin theories
Nobody knows definitively where “86” came from. Popular theories:
Chumley’s Bar theory
The speakeasy Chumley’s at 86 Bedford Street in NYC supposedly had a back exit. Bartenders would shout “86!” when police arrived, telling patrons to leave through that door.
Prohibition code
Various Prohibition-era explanations suggest 86 was code for “we’re out” or “cops coming.”
Article 86
Article 86 of the New York State Liquor Code deals with refusing service to intoxicated persons.
Rhyming slang
“86” might derive from “nix” (to reject or cancel), with 86 as rhyming slang.
Standard portions
Delmonico’s restaurant supposedly had 86 items on its menu. Being “86” meant off the list entirely.
Military origin
Navy or military slang that migrated to civilian restaurants through veterans working in food service.
The truth: We do not know. The term emerged into widespread use in the mid-20th century, and its true origin is lost to history.
How 86 is used in practice
Announcing 86s
The expediter or chef typically announces 86s:
Chef: "86 salmon, 86 chocolate cake!"
Line: "Heard!"Servers acknowledge and update their mental list of unavailable items.
Tracking during service
Good communication systems for 86s:
| Method | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Verbal callouts | During active service |
| Whiteboard or display | Persistent visibility |
| POS system updates | Digital tracking |
| Pre-shift meetings | Known shortages ahead |
Preventing 86s
86ing items disappoints guests. Reduce them by:
- Accurate inventory tracking
- Good prep forecasting
- Communication about sales pace
- Backup prep when items run low
86 versus other kitchen terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 86 | Out or unavailable |
| 68 | Back in stock (opposite of 86) |
| All day | Total count of pending orders |
| Fire | Start cooking now |
| Heard | I understood you |
| Behind | I’m walking behind you |
| Hot | Carrying something hot |
| Corner | Coming around a corner |
Using 86 for people
The secondary meaning applies to guests:
- “86 that guy at the bar” = refuse service
- “He’s been 86’d” = banned from returning
- “86 table 7, they’re being disruptive” = remove them
This usage requires careful judgment and documentation.
Cultural impact
86 has crossed from restaurant slang into general vocabulary:
- “Let’s 86 that idea” = reject it
- “He got 86’d from the club” = kicked out
- Movies and TV reference it frequently
It is one of few restaurant terms that made it into mainstream usage, proof of how deeply restaurants influence culture.
How to improve your 86 management
1. Track patterns
Log every 86 with:
- Item name
- Time of 86
- Service period
- Day of week
Patterns reveal forecasting opportunities.
2. Communicate quickly
The moment an item runs low:
- Alert the chef or expo
- Announce to the floor
- Update any tracking systems
- Brief incoming servers
3. Have backup plans
For popular items that might 86:
- Prep extra during peak periods
- Have similar alternatives ready
- Train servers on substitution recommendations
4. Review weekly
Analyze 86 data weekly:
- Which items 86 most often?
- What time do 86s typically happen?
- Are prep quantities appropriate?
- Do ordering levels need adjustment?
Related terms
- FOH (Front of House) - Staff who communicate 86s to guests
- BOH (Back of House) - Where 86 calls originate
- POS (Point of Sale) - Systems that can track 86s digitally
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 86 mean in a restaurant?
Where does the term 86 come from?
How do you use 86 in a sentence?
What is the opposite of 86?
Is 86 used outside of restaurants?
Related: Table turnover rate | Capacity planning
Track Your Restaurant Metrics
Understanding 86 (eighty-six) is just the start. Resos helps you track covers, manage tables, and grow your restaurant.
Try Resos FreeFree forever up to 25 bookings/month.