5 Easy Tips for Ordering Food in English

1. Start Of With a Greeting

Politeness is everything when ordering.

Most places, in the United States especially, have employees who are paid mostly through
tips.

Usually, when you go to the counter to order they will say hello and they might ask how
are you today?

You always want to return their hello and ask how are you? If they dont say hello
first when you get to the counter, it sounds most natural to order by saying, hi, can I get a
___?

This is the best way to start an order because it shows respect for the employee. You can
choose any friendly greeting to start off the conversation, like hello, hi, hey or hows it
going? (listed in order from most formal to most casual).
Usually, youll want to match the level of formality to the person who talks first. This means if
they say hi, then you say hi. If they say hello, then so do you!

2. Ask If You Can Get Something

Instead of saying, I want ___, theyll ask can I get ___

Here are a few examples. Imagine youre in a cafe and youd like to get a drip coffee (this is
coffee which is prepared by dripping hot water through coffee in a filter).

1. Can I get a drip coffee, please?

2. May I have a drip coffee, please?

3. Do you have drip coffee?

4. Can I order a drip coffee?

Theyre all questions instead of demands. Especially when talking to strangers, you want to
sound more passive (casual and polite). If the answer to your request is no for any reason,
you can quickly change your mind and say something like, oh, alright. Then can I have
an Americano, please? (Americano is a coffee drink made from espresso and hot
water.) The reply will usually be something like, Yes, you can. Anything else?

3. For Here or To Go

In some countries the expression for taking your food with you outside the restaurant, is to
go or take out.

However, to go is usually used for both drinks and food (and anything else you might
consume), while take out is only used for food. To go is far more commonly used by English
speakers.

When you want to order your food and take it with you, there are a few options.

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Can I get this to go?
Id like the Spaghetti and Meatballs, to go please.
Can I have the Fried Rice and Egg Rolls? Take out.

If a place says that they have take out, theyll probably ask you if your order is for here or
to go. If they dont ask you that, make sure you tell them what you want before paying.
(Some places charge different amounts depending on which one you choose.)
If you want to eat in the restaurant you simply say, for here or for here, please.

4. Yeah or Yes

If youre in a formal restaurant or hotel cafe, you will want to use yes. If youre in any
casual dining place, its not necessary. If your answer is yes to any question, you can nod your
head (up and down a little) and reply with yeah, yep, sure or an mhmm sound. This is all
about the tone of how you say it.

If youre smiling and happily say yeah it isnt rude. If youre not paying attention and
mumble yeah, its then considered rude. Here are some examples of casual alternatives
(different choices) to yes.

Is that all youll be ordering?

Yeah.

Would you like this to go?

Yep.

Another note is that when you do use yes to answer a question about adding anything, you
want to say, yes, please.

Would you like cheese with that?

Yes, please. or Yes, Id like some.

Would you like whipped cream?

Yes, please.

These words are generally said together quickly as if they were one long word. Because its a
phrase, you say the words close together instead of including the pause. The same can be
said about No, thank you.

5. Always Be Prepared for Extra Questions

Its best to pause for a short amount of time after ordering each item. That way, the employee
can ask you more questions!

When ordering a coffee, you may need to specify if youd like it iced (cold) or hot, or what size
you want. Some places will ask you if you want cream and sugar, and then theyll add it for
you.

If you order eggs or steak you need to answer how youd like them cooked. Eggs may be
scrambled (mixed up and cooked in little bits), omelettes (cooked in a circle and folded),
over easy (a simple fried egg) and sunny side up (fried egg cooked only on the bottom
side, so the yolk the yellow part on top stays liquid).

You may be asked if youd like any fillings (cheese, meat, vegetables and other things to put
inside the egg) or side dishes (smaller plates of food which accompanies the main meal). You
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may also be asked if you want something on top of your food, a certain preparation style for
your food, if youd like to order any desserts and much more.

When the time comes to pay for the meal, they may ask you if youre paying with credit, debit
or cash. Always give time to let the employee ask these things.

If you know theyll ask certain questions, you may want to state those answers beforehand to
save them the trouble. Say what size order you want, or how youd like your coffee. Ask for a
steak and tell them if you want it cooked well done (cooked thoroughly), medium (average)
or rare (less cooked, still red inside).

Always be polite and answer these questions, and never forget to end with a thank you

Regular Restaurant Ordering

Asking for a table

John: Table for one, please.

Waiter: Follow me, Sir.

After you are seated, the first thing they ask is if you want something to drink.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Can I get a drink for you?"
"Would you like to order a drink now?"
"Can I get a drink started for you?"
"What would you like to drink?"

"I'll take a coke."

"I'll have an orange juice."
"Water will be fine."
"Can I have a glass of water?"

After they bring out your drinks, they will take your order.

"May I take your order?"

"What would you like to order?"
"Are you ready to order?"
"What would you like today?"

If you need more time, you can simply say, "Can I have a couple more minutes?"

When you are ready to order, just read off what you want.

"I'll take the Salisbury steak with hash browns."

Depending on what you order, they will have side options they will ask you about. Listen
carefully to your choices and choose one. You should prepare yourself by reading the menu
carefully. It should indicate what your options are.

"Would you like toast, a muffin, or a cornbread?"

Regular Restaurant Eating and Requesting Bill

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Most places will come by once when you are eating and ask how everything is. This is a
chance for you to order something else, complain about something, or get a refill on your
drink. Some of the things they might say are:

"How is everything?"
"Is everything ok?"
"How is your dinner?"
"How is your lunch?"
"Are you guys doing ok?"
"Do you need anything else?"

When you are almost done with your meal, they might ask if you want some dessert.

"Would you like dessert today?"

"Would you like our dessert menu?"
"Would you like to order any dessert?"
"Any dessert for you today?"
"Would you like to hear our dessert special?"

If you are finished and want your bill, you can look for the server, make eye contact, and raise
your hand. When they come by, ask them for the bill.

"Can I have my check?"

"Can I have my bill?"
"I'm ready for my bill."
"I would like my check please."

Fine Dining

If you order wine, they will pour a tiny bit into your glass. You should immediately take a drink
of it and shake your head yes. After you approve, they will pour your glass and other glasses
full of the wine.
Some restaurants need to prepare dessert 20 minutes in advance. That means they will ask
you if you are going to have dessert while you are eating instead of waiting for you to
complete.
Finally, these types of restaurants take reservations. Here is an example.

"Hello, McCormick's. How may I help you today?"

"I would like to make a reservation."
"What day did you want to come in?"
"This Friday at 7:00pm."
"We have a table at 7:15. Will that be acceptable?"
"Yes."
"May I have your name?"
"Rich Yu. That's Y U."
"I have reserved a table for Mr. Yu on Friday at 7:15. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"That will be all."
"Thank you for calling."
"Thank you. Good Bye."
"Good Bye."

When you come in, you can tell them that you have a reservation.
"Hi, I have a reservation at 7:15 for Rich Yu."
"Oh, yes. Mr. Yu, your table will be ready in just a moment. You can wait right over there."

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Fast Food
The only thing you do when you go to a fast food restaurant is to go to the counter and order
your food, then pay for it. That's all. Let's go through some quick sentences.

"Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

"I'll take a Big Mac and a small coke."
"One Big Mac and one small coke. Will that be all?"
"Yes."
"Will that be for here or to go?"
"For here please."
"The total comes to $3.87."

In most fastfood restaurants, it is even easier to order. They have value meals and you just
have to say a number.

"I'll take number 2."

But the difference is that there are sizes.

"Would you like medium, large, or super size?"

"Medium please.

Model dialogues

Ordering your food Situation 1

John: Can I have the menu?

Waiter: Here it is, Sir.
John: What do you recommend?
Waiter: The Grilled Chicken with Tomato Sauce is a good choice.
John: Hmm...It sounds like a good idea. Ill have the Chicken and a glass of wine, please.
Waiter: Sure. Ill be right back with your order.

Ordering your food Situation 2

Waiter: Would you like to order now, Sir?

John: Yes, Id like The Spicy Chicken and Vegetables, please.
Waiter: Would you like something to drink?
John: Ill have an orange juice.
Waiter: Im afraid were out of oranges, Sir.
John: Thats okay, just bring me the Iced Tea instead.
Waiter: Yes, Sir. Ill be right back.

Solving doubts about the menu Situation 1

John: Could I have my Caesar Salad served with the sauce on the side?
Waiter: Yes... And would you like the croutons also on the side?
John: Thatd be very good, thank you.
Waiter: Youre welcome.

Solving doubts about the menu Situation 2

Lisa: What exactly is Thenthuk?

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Waiter: It's one of the most popular Tibetan dishes. Its a flat noodle soup with vegetables
and meat.
Lisa: Sounds delicious. Is it a starter?
Waiter: Its sometimes eaten as a whole meal. But you can have it as a starter if you split it.

Paying the bill Situation 1

John: Could you check us out, please?

Waiter: Here you are.
John: Can I pay with Visa?
Waiter: Yes, you can.

Paying the bill Situation 2

John: Could I have the bill?

Waiter: In a minute, sir. Are you paying with a card?
John: Yes, MasterCard.
Waiter: There you are.

Todays Special

Waitress: Good evening. Are you ready to order?

Emily: What are todays specials?
Waitress: Today we have grilled tuna and New York strip steak served with creamy Italian
herb sauce.
Emily: I think Ill have the grilled tuna.
Waitress: It is served with a choice of rice, baked potatoes, or French fries.
Emily: Rice, please.
Waitress: Anything to drink?
Emily: A glass of lemonade, please.
Waitress: Ok. Your order will be served soon.

Ordering the Dessert

Waiter: Can I get you anything else? Dessert or coffee?

Lisa: Id like to have some dessert. Any suggestions?
Waiter: The brownie served with vanilla ice cream is often ordered.
Lisa: Hmm...excellent! Please, bring me one.
Waiter: Sure. Ill be right back.

A: "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"

B: "I'll take the number one."
A: "What size would you like?"
B: "Medium please."
A: "Will that be for here or to go?"
B: "Here please."
A: "The total comes to $4.89. We'll have that right out for you."
A: "Can I get a drink started for you?"
B: "I'll take a coke."
A: "One coke. I'll be right out with your coke."
--Pause-- "Here's is your coke. Are you ready to order?"
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B: "Can I have one more minute?"
A: "Sure. I'll be back in a little bit."
--Pause-- "Do you need more time?"
B: "I'm ready now. I'll have the Patty Melt with fries."
A: "Do you want regular fries or steak fries?"
B: "Steak fries please."
A: "I'll have that out for you in a few minutes."
--Pause-- "Here you go. Do you need anything else?"
B: "Can I have a bottle of ketchup?"
A: "I have one right here."
B: "Great. Thanks."
A: "Is everything ok here?"
B: "Yes. Thank you."
--Pause-- "Excuse me. Can I have my bill?"
A: "Sure. Here you go."

Hello, welcome to The Coffee House. How are you today? Hello, Im pretty good, how are
you?
Im great, thanks for asking. What can I get for you today?
Can I get a large coffee, please? With cream and sugar.
Yes, is that all for you today? Yeah.
Would you like to try our new chocolate scone? No, thank you.
Alright, one large coffee. Your total is $2.50. Will that be cash or card? Card, please.
Please signheres your receipt. Thank you.
Please wait at the counter over there for your coffee. Thank you, have a nice day!
Thank you, you too.

Waiter: Hello, Can I help you?

Kim: Yes, I'd like to have some lunch.
Waiter: Would you like a starter?
Kim: Yes, I'd like a bowl of chicken soup, please.
Waiter: And what would you like for a main course?
Kim: I'd like a grilled cheese sandwich.
Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
Kim: Yes, I'd like a glass of Coke, please.
Waiter... After Kim has her lunch.: Can I bring you anything else?
Kim: No thank you. Just the bill.
Waiter: Certainly. That's $6.75.
Kim: Here you are. Thank you very much. Waiter: You're welcome. Have a good day.
Kim: Thank you, you too.