Restaurant Slang Explained: What Does '86' Mean in Dining Industry Terminology?

The term 86 is a staple in restaurant kitchens and dining establishments across the United States. But what does it actually mean? While many associate it with running out of a menu item, its usage is more nuanced than commonly believed.

In my early career, I worked a summer job as a waiter at Shoney's. Though the experience was less than glamorous, it provided two key lessons: first, how to handle public embarrassment when singing a birthday song like "Happy, happy birthday, we're so glad you came" in front of customers; and second, the meaning of the phrase 86 the chicken fried steak when line cooks ran out of a dish.

In restaurant slang, to 86 something means it is no longer available—finished, gone, or removed from the menu. This is the primary definition I’ve encountered in my professional experience.

However, according to Wikipedia, the term carries additional meanings. Beyond indicating an item is out of stock, 86 can also refer to:

• Refusing service to a customer, effectively banning them from the establishment.
• In some slang dictionaries, it is loosely associated with the act of murder, though this usage is far less common.

The origins of the term remain debated. Some trace it to Prohibition-era speakeasies, where patrons were given a number—86—to signal they should leave. Others link it to the numeric code 86 used in early 20th-century restaurants to indicate a dish was no longer available. Despite these theories, the most widely accepted explanation points to the jargon of early 20th-century soda jerks, who used the term to signal that a customer’s order could not be fulfilled.

Regardless of its exact origins, 86 remains a fundamental part of restaurant culture, ensuring smooth communication between front-of-house and kitchen staff.