What's your go-to meal when trying out a new restaurant?

Say you're trying out a new Chinese restaurant. Anything specific you order as a litmus test to determine if you'll like the joint? I can't really describe what I'm looking for when I order and decide if I like the place and will come back but here's what I order: Chinese - chow mein Mexican - al pastor. If not available, chili verde Pizza - plain ol' pepperoni Italian - hard to say since we don't have an italian place in town and there aren't really any within 50 miles. I guess chicken marsala? Seafood - lame but usually try their clam chowder lol Indian - no idea. I've been to an indian joint maybe once in my life. food was good but I don't remember what I ordered. assuming some kind of curry. Closest joint is 30 miles away and we try to avoid the town as much as possible. Thai - not really any joints within 30 miles so I rarely eat it. I've had pad thai with chicken before and liked it.