My friend said to always order the cheapest thing on the menu for a first date

She told me it shows you're not high maintenance and keeps things casual. So on a date at a nice place in Portland, I got the side salad while he ordered a steak and three drinks. He made a joke about me 'saving him money' and then asked to split the bill evenly. I ended up paying $75 for my lettuce. Has anyone else had a piece of dating advice totally backfire?