The well-known adage “location, location, location”perfectly encapsulates the essence of a Far Side cartoon, as its setting often plays a pivotal role in delivering humor. Yet, among the comic’s numerous memorable locations, Gary Larson’s depictions of restaurants deserve greater recognition, particularly as these scenes provide a contrasting charm to settings like bars or fantastical realms of heaven and hell.
While Hell and heavenly locales in Far Side strips might be the most striking, many of Larson’s finest jokes are deeply rooted in the mundanity of everyday life. With a keen observational humor style, he often took aim at familiar settings like living rooms and, notably, restaurants, where the interactions between patrons and staff give rise to delightful comedic scenarios.
This list carefully selects standout entries that highlight the unique comedic tone set in restaurants, differing from his more traditional bar jokes. Larson’s sketches of restaurant life often explore family dynamics and relatable experiences that resonate well beyond the punchline.
11 This Subtle Far Side Joke Plays On Every Diner’s Worst Fears
First Published: June 11, 1984
One of the noteworthy aspects of Far Side restaurant humor lies in its ability to evoke discomfort through subtleties. In one such classic, a vindictive cook adds his shoe to the “soup of the day.”This cartoon ingeniously engages the audience by hiding the punchline in the visuals; the cook is shown wearing only one shoe, subtly leading the reader to make the connection, which ultimately enhances the impact of this gag when the realization hits.
10 Waste Not, Want Not – The Far Side Proves Humpty Dumpty’s Death Wasn’t In Vain
First Published: January 18, 1988
In the cartoon titled “Humpty Dumpty’s final days,”a waitress serves an oversized platter of scrambled eggs, humorously depicting the aftermath of Dumpty’s tragic fall. This absurd yet logical outcome serves as a testament to Gary Larson’s creative prowess, merging both the ridiculous and the plausible. It stands as one of Larson’s most clever twists on nursery rhymes, proving there’s much humor to be found in unexpected places.
9 Garlic Is A “No-No”On First Dates – But These Far Side Snakes Give Into Temptation
First Published: January 22, 1988
With snakes recurrently featured in Larson’s work, it’s no surprise he revisited the first-date dynamic through these characters. In this engaging strip, a male snake considers breaking the no-garlic rule in a fancy restaurant setting, humorously proclaiming to the waiter his desire for ‘garlic wharf rats.’ The familiarity and absurdity of this scenario effectively bridge human experiences with the reptilian world, resulting in a relatable and hysterical punchline.
8 Gary Larson Flips The Script On What “Fresh”Means At A Restaurant
First Published: February 3, 1988
In another facet of Larson’s humor, vultures make a striking appearance critiquing the notion of “freshness.”In this gag, a vulture dining at the “Carrion Café”remarks, “this doesn’t look spoiled,”highlighting the absurdity of applying human restaurant etiquette to carrion-eating birds. This comedic inversion demonstrates Larson’s genius for translating familiar situations into whimsical, non-human contexts, generating laughter through unexpected perspectives.
7 These Far Side Birds Get Fancy, Courtesy Of Live Insects In Their Cocktails
First Published: March 30, 1988
In another humorous exploration of restaurant life, a bird excitedly admires a cocktail decorated with live insects. The simplicity of this joke, focused on a delightful scene rather than a sharp punchline, reveals Larson’s knack for crafting lighthearted humor. The underlying commentary on the similarities between human and avian culinary traditions—like garnishing drinks—makes it subtly clever and amusing.
6 The Far Side Takes The Carnivore Vs. Vegetarian Debate To The Next Level
First Published: May 1, 1988
This cartoon opts for a visual punch without the need for words, portraying an “Al’s Meats”truck perilously heading towards “Noreen’s Vegetarian Café.”The stark irony of a meat-laden vehicle threatening a vegetarian establishment produces humor without needing direct commentary. This approach enhances Larson’s ability to convey stories and jokes purely through imagery, demonstrating his grasp of visual comedy.
5 The Far Side Goes Behind The Counter At A “Dog Restaurant”
First Published: March 2, 1990
In a delightful twist, a “dog restaurant”showcases a canine line cook managing the orders, such as “3 dry, 2 dry, 1 canned…”This clever representation seamlessly merges human food service dynamics with dog-friendly orders, exemplifying Larson’s humor in imagining how dogs would operate in a world designed for them. This piece embodies a gentler side of Larson’s humor, rife with warmth and silliness.
4 Reap What You Sow – This Far Side Giraffe Gets No Sympathy
First Published: November 11, 1990
The giraffes in Larson’s universe provide rich comedic opportunities, as demonstrated in this cartoon. Here, a female giraffe admonishes her companion: “if there’s a bone stuck in your throat, you deserve it!”Her glasses add a humorous touch of character while delivering a witty critique of the male giraffe’s poor dining choice. This inversion makes the joke sharper, contrasting the typical gentler humor of Far Side with an unexpected harshness.
3 This Out-Of-This-World Far Side Cartoon Shows Aliens Aren’t So Different From Us
First Published: April 18, 1991
In a similarly structured gag, a “Dorkonian”alien struggles at a bustling extraterrestrial eatery, comically grappling with its unique physiology while choking. Larson’s brilliance shines through in intertwining the familiar experience of choking with outrageous alien characteristics. This intersection of everyday mishaps with fantastical elements enriches Far Side‘s storytelling while showcasing Larson’s imagination.
2 Frankenstein Calls Out Igor In A Crowded Café In This Classic Far Side Comic
First Published: November 28, 1991
Frankenstein and Igor make a return in a farcical scene set in a packed café, where the monster vehemently confronts Igor. The absurdity of their argument, juxtaposed with the everyday setting, heightens the humor: “I’d rather be a living corpse made from dismembered body parts than a hunchbacked little grave robber like you!”Larson artfully illustrates the comedic potential of traditional characters in unconventional contexts, amplifying the absurdity of their conflict.
1 The Far Side Takes Its Comedic Inversion Technique Too Far This Time – And The Results Are Hilarious
First Published: December 24, 1991
This cartoon epitomizes Larson’s talent for playful inversion, as a fly at a restaurant experiences a bowl of soup being dumped on its head. The human diner humorously requests, “waiter! what’s this soup doing on my fly?”This witticism transforms a common idiom—’a fly in the soup’—into a visual comedy goldmine, emphasizing how Larson’s inventive illustrations enrich his humor.