Wetherspoons has become a beloved British institution, offering low-priced beer and grub around the country since 1979.
Even amidst the brutal cost of living crisis, Wetherspoons has remained committed to being one of the most affordable boozers and eateries available.
The premises might not be the fanciest, but these comfortable, music-free pubs are a great place to catch up with friends and family at all hours of the day.
Anyone who’s eaten at one with know that the floral-pattered blue plates are another great consistency of these outlets.
With that in mind, imagine your consternation if you were to be served some sausages and mash atop a red one.
So what does it mean?
Is it an ill omen? Thankfully not, as it turns out.
One person took to the r/mildlyinteresting subreddit to ask what her boyfriend’s red plate was all about.
"My BF got a red plate in Wetherspoons," she captioned a picture showing the crockery.
A gaggle of helpful Redditors were soon en route with their contributions.
"If you get the red plate in Spoons, take it to the bar and you get a free drink,” said one Redditor whose claim could not be corroborated.
"YOU GOT THE RED PLATE,” said another.
Plenty more claimed never to have seen one before, including a former ‘Spoons worker.
"I think you've accidentally wandered into an alternative dimension," joked another Redditor.
Another asked: "Are you their millionth customer?"
While they are great guesses, none of these Redditors were correct.
"Wetherspoon did trial a red plate in a small number of pubs for use for children’s meals, to ensure all children’s meals were served on a cold plate,” a Wetherspoons spokesperson explained.
"The company has moved on since then and just launched a melamine plate for the whole children’s menu which is in line with the design of the children’s menu.
"But there will be stock of the old red plate in circulation, until they break.
"No plan to change from the standard blue patterned plate any time soon."
Blue plate fans will be glad to hear that.
Topics: UK Food, Restaurants and bars
Kerri-Ann Roper