[EQAndyBuzz]

I had to sign a waiver once because I asked that they cook a burger as rare as legally possible.

[dayglored]

> I had to sign a waiver once because I asked that they cook a burger as rare as legally possible.

I also use that phrase regularly, to good effect. A few others I've used:

• I want to be able to stick a fork into it and hear it go "Moo".
• Shine a light in the steer's eyes for a minute and slice off a piece.
• Just enough that it's not walking on its own around the plate.

I haven't been asked to sign a waiver, but on occasion the chef will come out of the kitchen and give me the hairy eyeball and ask "Are you sure?"

Haven't ever had a bad burger or steak yet using the above. OTOH, I've been cursed with some horrendously overcooked items over the years when I've forgotten to specify. "Rare, please." "Are you sure, sir?" "Yes, but if you can't serve it rare, I'll settle for raw and a Zippo."