Restaurant China & China Sets
Standard dishes can be as simple as economical, unadorned melamine plates or as elaborate as large, rustic bowls made to resemble pottery.
Deliver individual salads or communal soups with standard bowls. This smallware is available in diverse shapes and sizes to accommodate your menu.
Serve everything from appetizers to desserts with standard plates. These pieces of dinnerware are available in various colors, capacities, and materials.
Serve guests appetizers with standard platters, available in many shapes, sizes, and styles made of melamine, porcelain, and other popular materials.
Mid-grade Dinnerware: What You Need to Know
Standard dishware material affects patrons' perceptions of your foodservice establishment and establishes what equipment the smallware can be safely used in, including units such as salamanders and microwaves. There are three common mid-grade dish materials: china, melamine, and plastic.
- China is also referred to as porcelain. Although these standard dishes aren't as durable as plastic smallware, they're associated with higher quality.
- Melamine mid-grade dinnerware is made from a mixture of plastic resin and plant cellulose, and its reliable durability and economical price point make it a popular choice for many operators./li
- Plastic standard dishes are commonly made of polycarbonate, though some are constructed of SAN. Polycarbonate is opaque, while SAN is used for cups and plates without attempting to hide their plastic construction.
Although mid-grade dinnerware made of heavy china is cheaper than more well-made alternatives, the extra weight creates additional labor for servers. Standard dishes made of light china are fully vitrified for enhanced durability, and fine china – the most expensive option – must be handled carefully. This mid-grade dinnerware is resistant to stains and safe for dishmachine, heat lamp, microwave, and salamander use. We recommend china standard dishware for fine dining and full-service establishments.
Melamine mid-grade dishes are available in various patterns and colors, and they're lightweight for easy handling. Because this material is sensitive to heat, melamine standard dishes will blister and crack if microwaved or placed under a heat lamp or in a salamander. This smallware should never be cleaned with bleach, but it's safe for dishmachines. Melamine mid-grade dishes are durable pieces of equipment that provide a long service life, so they're often found in casual establishments, hospitals, and hotels. Plastic standard dishes will discolor over time, but they're resistant to breakage. They're some of the most economical forms of smallware, and we recommend plastic mid-grade dinnerware for buffets, cafeterias, and quick-service restaurants.
Common Questions About Standard Dishes
What are the different kinds of china mid-grade dinnerware?
China is an umbrella term for standard dishes that are made of clay but processed in different ways. Bone china is the highest price point for porcelain, so it's mostly found in high-end restaurants. This material is made with bone ash to make it less brittle, and it has a milky-white appearance. Because porcelain is the thinnest, strongest form of china mid-grade dinnerware, it's popular with fine dining establishments. Stoneware is a thick, porous material that requires a coat of glaze for food safety. Earthenware is similar to stoneware, but it's less refined and thicker in design.
What's the essential standard dishware?
The pieces you choose for your dining establishment will be guided by your menu. When it comes to mid-grade dishes, there are four staples: saucers, platters, plates, and bowls. From holding small portions of fruit to serving dozens at a table, bowls are available in a wide range of sizes. Deep bowls for soup and shallow ones for pasta are popular choices. Plates are the most common form of meal service, though many variations exist for different purposes. Small plates are available for bread and desserts, medium ones for salads, and large plates for entrées and sides. Platters are best for serving appetizers or large entrées. They're available in asymmetrical, oval, rectangular, and round designs. Saucers are the least common of these standard dishes, though they can be found in establishments that specialize in coffee and tea service.
Which color mid-grade dinnerware should you choose?
White standard dishware is a classic because it lets the food speak for itself, while off-white mid-grade dishes create a more bespoke, intimate dining experience. Rich, earthy hues speak to a tone of environmental consciousness. Standard dishes with a patterned lip provide ornamentation without cluttering the area beneath the food, and pastel mid-grade dinnerware lends a quaint, stylish touch to tabletops. Make a statement with your meal service by investing in bright standard dishware. Lastly, black mid-grade dishes alter portion size perceptions by making it appear as if there's more food on the plate.