--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Revenge is a dish best served cold but…" description: "\"“Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to serve it with hot gravy, potatoes, and roast turkey.”\" — Jonathan Dunne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg" --- # Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to… ![“Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to serve it with hot gravy, potatoes, and roast turkey.” quote by Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg) > ““Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to serve it with hot gravy, potatoes, and roast turkey.”” [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revenge is traditionally patient, yet the speaker prefers immediate, indulgent satisfaction. **In simple terms:** Revenge is better served cold, but sometimes we want it hot and tasty. Key Takeaway Consider the consequences of impulsive retaliation. Themes revenge patience indulgence Mood wry humorous Type satire conversational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal disputes - family dynamics - food metaphors Key Concepts cultural sayings psychology Questions to Reflect On - Do you seek quick revenge or wait? - How does indulgence affect justice? A Different Perspective Immediate gratification can worsen conflicts and damage relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gravy Potatoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gravy-potatoes-6066518/) [Hot Gravy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot-gravy-6066517/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge/) [Revenge Dish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revenge-dish-316282/) [Served Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/served-cold-506753/) ## Related quotes > [Like vichyssoise, revenge is a dish best served cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/like-vichyssoise-revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [“Revenge was a dish best served cold.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-stuart/revenge-was-a-dish-best-served-cold/) [Anne Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-stuart/) > [“She remembered a saying that revenge was a dish that was best served cold.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-a-salnikova/she-remembered-a-saying-that-revenge-was-a-dish-that-was-best-served/) [Natasha A Salnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-a-salnikova/) > [“Revenge is a dish best served cold. I never used to understand that saying, but I think I finally get it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-i-never-used-to-understand-that/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Another old saying is that revenge is a dish best served cold. But it feels best served piping hot, straight out of the oven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/another-old-saying-is-that-revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-it-2/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-puzo/revenge-is-a-dish-that-tastes-best-when-served-cold/) [Mario Puzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-puzo/) > [“If revenge is a dish best served cold, then knowledge is a dish best left untouched.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-archer/if-revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-then-knowledge-is-a-dish-best/) [Jill Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-archer/) > [Revenge is a dish that is best served cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/revenge-is-a-dish-that-is-best-served-cold/) [Pierre Choderlos de Laclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/) > [“If revenge is a dish best served cold, confession should be dished up piping hot or not at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-kelly/if-revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-confession-should-be-dished-up/) [Erin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-kelly/) > [Revenge is a dish best served cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Revenge is a dish best served cold. – Precious”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-o/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-precious/) [Mike O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-o/) > [“You know how they say revenge is best served up cold? I'd say it's best not served up at all. Revenge is a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/you-know-how-they-say-revenge-is-best-served-up-cold-i-d-say-it-s/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [“There was no doubt in my mind that Daemon believed revenge was a dish best served in my face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/there-was-no-doubt-in-my-mind-that-daemon-believed-revenge-was-a-dish/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [Revenge is a dish best served unexpectedly and from a distance - like a thrown trifle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-unexpectedly-and-from-a-distance-like-a/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [Revenge is a dish better severed cold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan/revenge-is-a-dish-better-severed-cold/) [Sushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan/) ## More by Jonathan Dunne > [“What do you mean? In Old Castle? I still live with my parents in case you haven’t noticed, Jack. Those two strangers – that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/what-do-you-mean-in-old-castle-i-still-live-with-my-parents-in-case/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“You think road-kill is poetry!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/you-think-road-kill-is-poetry/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Sometimes I regret going into that public toilet with your father.’ ‘Then practice safe sex, Mama!!’ ‘We were! There was a fight in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/sometimes-i-regret-going-into-that-public-toilet-with-your-father/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“I met a few chimpanzees on my pilgrimages and I wasn't sure if they were just shrivelled-up villagers or chimps...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/i-met-a-few-chimpanzees-on-my-pilgrimages-and-i-wasn-t-sure-if-they/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“I wish this country was run by children”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/i-wish-this-country-was-run-by-children/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Nicky, the van’s on fire!’ ‘Fuck the van, Willy! We got ourselves a prodigy child!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/nicky-the-van-s-on-fire-fuck-the-van-willy-we-got-ourselves-a-prodigy/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Yes, Cabbage: prison diplomacy. It’s called offering the newcomer a very warm welcome. You can tell Mares that I made lots of friends at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/yes-cabbage-prison-diplomacy-it-s-called-offering-the-newcomer-a-very/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Father has a fear of flying since that aeroplane crashed into his bedroom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/father-has-a-fear-of-flying-since-that-aeroplane-crashed-into-his/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“I recall when this place was a good 'n honest community hall with a great sense of place and pride but now it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/i-recall-when-this-place-was-a-good-n-honest-community-hall-with-a/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“See this Swiss army knife, Lawless! It's gotta magnifying glass and a million blades but I only need one, so step right the fuck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/see-this-swiss-army-knife-lawless-it-s-gotta-magnifying-glass-and-a/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Instead of leaving on a gas-guzzling generator all night, Mama and Papa make a killing by making hard 'n fast love like a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/instead-of-leaving-on-a-gas-guzzling-generator-all-night-mama-and/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“What do you read for pleasure? Kama Sutra.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/what-do-you-read-for-pleasure-kama-sutra/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Crap, did it again...,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/crap-did-it-again/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“Payback takes many forms but from the business-end of a Christmas turkey isn’t a form I would’ve bet on...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/payback-takes-many-forms-but-from-the-business-end-of-a-christmas/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) > [“The Russian Dolls would sue a snowman for sexual harassment if they thought the sun would stay away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/the-russian-dolls-would-sue-a-snowman-for-sexual-harassment-if-they/) [Jonathan Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) [Explore all 19 Jonathan Dunne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/) ## More Humor quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [In my opinion, sexiness comes down to three things: chemistry, sense of humor, and treatment of waitstaff at restaurants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhoda-janzen/in-my-opinion-sexiness-comes-down-to-three-things-chemistry-sense-of/) [Rhoda Janzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhoda-janzen/) > [“...I haven't guessed where your shirt is from yet Bane, but I don't think it'll matter once it's underwater!' Tristan looked at Bane questioningly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-k-munt/i-haven-t-guessed-where-your-shirt-is-from-yet-bane-but-i-don-t-think/) [S.K. Munt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-k-munt/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [“Not wise, perhaps, to be rude to the Pope's favorite son, but my viper tongue still required a fool now and then on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-quinn/not-wise-perhaps-to-be-rude-to-the-pope-s-favorite-son-but-my-viper/) [Kate Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-quinn/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/if-you-were-to-send-a-werewolf-to-the-moon-would-he-be-a-werewolf/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [“I only have two words to say More or Less”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timbur/i-only-have-two-words-to-say-more-or-less/) [TimBur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timbur/) > [“ “Do Southerners laugh at different things than Northerners do? Yes, I say--Northerners.” Roy Blount, Jr., Roy Blount’s Book of Southern Humor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/do-southerners-laugh-at-different-things-than-northerners-do-yes-i/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [I love being my silly ole self! Lifes a lot better when you have a good sense of humor and you smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-being-my-silly-ole-self-lifes-a-lot-better-when-you-have-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) [Browse all 33,155 Humor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to serve it with hot gravy, potatoes, and roast turkey.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Dunne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-mama-prefers-to-serve-it-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Humor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-mama-prefers-to-serve-it-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e2/jonathan-dunne-28202_humor_revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-m_1597305.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Revenge is a dish best served cold but Mama prefers to serve it with hot gravy, potatoes, and roast turkey.” — Jonathan Dunne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jonathan Dunne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dunne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Revenge is a dish best served...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-mama-prefers-to-serve-it-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dunne/revenge-is-a-dish-best-served-cold-but-mama-prefers-to-serve-it-with/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```