"It Sounds Gross, But It's SO Good": Chefs Are Revealing Their Post-Shift Meals, And It's Not At All What I Was Expecting

These are actually so relatable.

Jen Shiori Adams

Published on December 08, 2025

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You wouldn't think it, but even restaurant chefs resort to the occasional bowl of cereal for dinner. Recently, pro cooks of the Tasty Community revealed what they make themselves after a brutal shift, and some of these are honestly surprising.

1. "Wonton soup with boxed chicken broth. Add garlic, ginger (I buy both already cut up in jars), bok choy, green onions, soy sauce, and frozen wontons. Fifteen minutes and it's ready!"

—Jennifer, Facebook

2. "Bread, fruit, cheese, and wine. No cooking, minimal chopping, and I can lie down while I eat it."

Person spreading butter on baguette slice near grapes, raspberries, and nuts on a kitchen countertop

3. "Pastina cooked in chicken broth with MSG and Parmesan."

—Gia, Instagram

4. "Grilled cheese with tomato basil soup. Hits every time."

Grilled cheese being dipped into a bowl of tomato soup on a kitchen counter

5. "Rotisserie chicken wraps. I slice the breasts and wrap them in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and ranch. We all stand around the island eating, and I keep assembling until everyone is full."

—Terrie, Facebook

6. "A PB&J or leftover rice with over-easy eggs and chili crisp."

Close-up of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a plate, sliced in half

7. "Buttered noodles."

—Michelle, Instagram

8. "Bean and rice bowls! I literally make a pan of Rice-A-Roni, add Rotel, black beans, pinto beans, some spices, and a little bit of queso after cooking to let it mix in."

A bowl of rice salad mixed with beans, diced vegetables, and herbs on a wooden table

9. "A Pop-Tart and a beer."

—Martsen, Facebook

10. "Spaghetti and meatballs. I always have pasta, a jar of good sauce, and frozen meatballs in my house."

Person stirring spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce with a wooden spoon on a stove

11. "Homemade chicken and mashed potato bowls with chicken made in the air fryer with instant mashed potatoes. It takes 10 minutes to make."

—Henry, Facebook

12. "If I have money, Taco Bell. If not, cereal. If I'm feeling really bad, a huge glass of milk."

A bowl of cornflakes with milk, sitting on a burlap cloth, and a spoon beside it

13. "Daddy nachos: tortillas or Doritos spread out on a plate, sprinkled with whatever shredded cheese there is, microwaved for like 30 seconds, and topped with jalapeños if we have any. Chef's kiss."

—Grayson, Facebook

14. "Genuinely? Tuna pasta. Which is literally just a can of tuna, pasta, and tomato ketchup. With peas if I'm feeling healthy. It sounds gross, but it's SO good."

Spaghetti with sausage pieces in a tomato-based sauce on a white plate

15. "Pickles and popcorn."

—Bray'anna, Facebook

16. "Broccoli salad: washed raw broccoli with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, diced red onion, bacon bites, Parmesan cheese, and whatever mayo is handy. A yummy dinner."

Broccoli salad with cranberries, walnuts, and a creamy dressing in a metal bowl on a wooden board, with toppings in small bowls nearby

17. "Samyang ramen and veggie potstickers."

—Parker, Instagram

18. "Chips, salsa, and tequila."

Plate of ridged potato chips with a small bowl of red salsa, alongside a glass of iced tea on a gray table

19. "I throw a pork tenderloin in the Crock-Pot that morning, season it, and then pour a can of Dr. Pepper over it and let it cook all day. Then I shred it and put it on Hawaiian rolls and chips for a side."

—Kayla, Facebook

20. And finally: "A can of sardines with a homemade sriracha lemon garlic dipping sauce and a good loaf of bread and cheese."

Open can of sardines on a marble surface, with some crackers in the background

What's your go-to meal after a long day of work as a professional cook? Let me know in the comments!

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"It Sounds Gross, But It's SO Good": Chefs Are Revealing Their Post-Shift Meals, And It's Not At All What I Was Expecting

You wouldn't think it, but even restaurant chefs resort to the occasional bowl of cereal for dinner. Recently, pro cooks of the Tasty Community revealed what they make themselves after a brutal shift, and some of these are honestly surprising.

1. "Wonton soup with boxed chicken broth. Add garlic, ginger (I buy both already cut up in jars), bok choy, green onions, soy sauce, and frozen wontons. Fifteen minutes and it's ready!"

2. "Bread, fruit, cheese, and wine. No cooking, minimal chopping, and I can lie down while I eat it."

3. "Pastina cooked in chicken broth with MSG and Parmesan."

4. "Grilled cheese with tomato basil soup. Hits every time."

5. "Rotisserie chicken wraps. I slice the breasts and wrap them in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and ranch. We all stand around the island eating, and I keep assembling until everyone is full."

6. "A PB&J or leftover rice with over-easy eggs and chili crisp."

7. "Buttered noodles."

8. "Bean and rice bowls! I literally make a pan of Rice-A-Roni, add Rotel, black beans, pinto beans, some spices, and a little bit of queso after cooking to let it mix in."

9. "A Pop-Tart and a beer."

10. "Spaghetti and meatballs. I always have pasta, a jar of good sauce, and frozen meatballs in my house."

11. "Homemade chicken and mashed potato bowls with chicken made in the air fryer with instant mashed potatoes. It takes 10 minutes to make."

12. "If I have money, Taco Bell. If not, cereal. If I'm feeling really bad, a huge glass of milk."

13. "Daddy nachos: tortillas or Doritos spread out on a plate, sprinkled with whatever shredded cheese there is, microwaved for like 30 seconds, and topped with jalapeños if we have any. Chef's kiss."

14. "Genuinely? Tuna pasta. Which is literally just a can of tuna, pasta, and tomato ketchup. With peas if I'm feeling healthy. It sounds gross, but it's SO good."

15. "Pickles and popcorn."

16. "Broccoli salad: washed raw broccoli with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, diced red onion, bacon bites, Parmesan cheese, and whatever mayo is handy. A yummy dinner."

17. "Samyang ramen and veggie potstickers."

18. "Chips, salsa, and tequila."

19. "I throw a pork tenderloin in the Crock-Pot that morning, season it, and then pour a can of Dr. Pepper over it and let it cook all day. Then I shred it and put it on Hawaiian rolls and chips for a side."

20. And finally: "A can of sardines with a homemade sriracha lemon garlic dipping sauce and a good loaf of bread and cheese."

What's your go-to meal after a long day of work as a professional cook? Let me know in the comments!

More Tasty Guides

More Tasty Guides

"It Sounds Gross, But It's SO Good": Chefs Are Revealing Their Post-Shift Meals, And It's Not At All What I Was Expecting

You wouldn't think it, but even restaurant chefs resort to the occasional bowl of cereal for dinner. Recently, pro cooks of the Tasty Community revealed what they make themselves after a brutal shift, and some of these are honestly surprising.

1. "Wonton soup with boxed chicken broth. Add garlic, ginger (I buy both already cut up in jars), bok choy, green onions, soy sauce, and frozen wontons. Fifteen minutes and it's ready!"

2. "Bread, fruit, cheese, and wine. No cooking, minimal chopping, and I can lie down while I eat it."

3. "Pastina cooked in chicken broth with MSG and Parmesan."

4. "Grilled cheese with tomato basil soup. Hits every time."

5. "Rotisserie chicken wraps. I slice the breasts and wrap them in tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and ranch. We all stand around the island eating, and I keep assembling until everyone is full."

6. "A PB&J or leftover rice with over-easy eggs and chili crisp."

7. "Buttered noodles."

8. "Bean and rice bowls! I literally make a pan of Rice-A-Roni, add Rotel, black beans, pinto beans, some spices, and a little bit of queso after cooking to let it mix in."

9. "A Pop-Tart and a beer."

10. "Spaghetti and meatballs. I always have pasta, a jar of good sauce, and frozen meatballs in my house."

11. "Homemade chicken and mashed potato bowls with chicken made in the air fryer with instant mashed potatoes. It takes 10 minutes to make."

12. "If I have money, Taco Bell. If not, cereal. If I'm feeling really bad, a huge glass of milk."

13. "Daddy nachos: tortillas or Doritos spread out on a plate, sprinkled with whatever shredded cheese there is, microwaved for like 30 seconds, and topped with jalapeños if we have any. *Chef's kiss*."

14. "Genuinely? Tuna pasta. Which is literally just a can of tuna, pasta, and tomato ketchup. With peas if I'm feeling healthy. It sounds gross, but it's SO good."

15. "Pickles and popcorn."

16. "Broccoli salad: washed raw broccoli with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, diced red onion, bacon bites, Parmesan cheese, and whatever mayo is handy. A yummy dinner."

17. "Samyang ramen and veggie potstickers."

18. "Chips, salsa, and tequila."

19. "I throw a pork tenderloin in the Crock-Pot that morning, season it, and then pour a can of Dr. Pepper over it and let it cook all day. Then I shred it and put it on Hawaiian rolls and chips for a side."

20. And finally: "A can of sardines with a homemade sriracha lemon garlic dipping sauce and a good loaf of bread and cheese."

What's your go-to meal after a long day of work as a professional cook? Let me know in the comments!

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13. "Daddy nachos: tortillas or Doritos spread out on a plate, sprinkled with whatever shredded cheese there is, microwaved for like 30 seconds, and topped with jalapeños if we have any. Chef's kiss."