#320 How to order food in a restaurant in the USA
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Hi, I'm Georgiana, and I'm back with a new episode. I'm here to help you speak English fluently. If you want to help me, share the podcast with your friends and family. That would mean a lot. Thanks! On my website, you can find the 5 secrets to speaking English and my premium courses.

Before we start, get the transcript. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash podcast. Okay, let's start. Today, I'll talk about how to order food in a restaurant in the United States. We'll review helpful phrases, cultural tips about tipping, and how to ask for a takeaway box.

Plus, we'll practice fluency with a mini-story. Ordering food in a restaurant can be an exciting experience, especially when you're traveling in the U.S. When you go to a restaurant in the U.S., you'll usually get a menu that's divided into sections. Appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts.

Appetizers are small dishes served before the main course. Entrees are your main dishes. Sides are small portions of your meal, like fries or salad. And desserts are sweet treats to end your meal. Menus can also have terms like specials, which the chef recommends that day.

If you're unsure, ask your server, what do you recommend? Or, what's today's special? Here are some common phrases you can use while ordering food. If you want to order, just say, I'd like the… Or, can I have the… If you need a recommendation, you can say, what do you recommend? Or,

What's popular here? To customize your order, just say, Can I have that without… or Could I add… For example, you might say, I'd like the cheeseburger without no onions, please. And now, let's talk about tipping. In the U.S., tipping is expected in restaurants. Usually…

People leave 15 to 20% of the total bill as a tip for the server. It's their way of saying thank you for good service. Don't worry. Most restaurants will give you the bill with a suggested tip amount, so it's easy to calculate. If you don't finish your meal, asking for a takeaway box is very normal.

You can simply say, Can I have a to-go box, please? Or, Could you box this up for me? This way, you can enjoy the rest of your meal later. Let's practice a simple conversation. Hello, can I get you started with something to drink? Yes, I'd like a glass of water, please. Are you ready to order? Or, do you need a few more minutes? I'm ready.

I'll have the grilled chicken with a side salad. Great choice. Would you like any dessert? No, thank you. But could I get the rest to go? Of course. I'll bring a to-go box. Great. I hope you're enjoying this episode. And now, let's continue with a mini-story. I will tell you a short story by asking simple questions.

I use this method in my premium courses because it's highly effective. First, I say a short sentence with facts. Then, I ask you questions. After each question, you answer. Then, I tell you the right answer. That's how we make the story.

And if you want to improve your fluency much faster, check out my premium courses. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. You will find several levels. Okay, let's start. I'm an overweight middle-aged woman who wants to lose weight. Am I young or old?

I'm not young, but I'm not old either. Am I fit or overweight? No, no. I'm not fit. I'm overweight. Do I want to gain or lose weight? Not to gain weight. I want to lose weight. What do I want to lose? My dignity? No, no. Not my dignity.

I want to lose weight. Do I want to eat a slice of cheesecake? I probably want to eat a slice of cheesecake, but I shouldn't if I'm serious about losing weight. My dietician tells me that I have to eat a variety of foods, but in moderation.

Does my dietician prohibit me from eating greens like spinach or kale? No, no. My dietician doesn't prohibit me from eating greens. He tells me to eat a variety of foods, including spinach and kale. Can I eat any sweets?

Yes, my dietician says I can eat a variety of foods, so I can have sweets too. Can I order French fries when I eat out? Yes, I can. I can order French fries when I eat out, but in moderation. Does the dietician tell me to eat big pieces of homemade pizza? No, no.

The dietician doesn't tell me to eat big pieces of homemade pizza. He says I can eat foods in moderation. When I eat at a restaurant, I try to follow the doctor's advice. When do I try to follow the doctor's advice? When I eat at a restaurant, yes.

I try to follow the doctor's advice when I eat at a restaurant. Do I order plenty of high-fat dishes when I eat out? No, no, I don't order plenty of high-fat dishes when I eat out. Do I want to eat healthy or unhealthy when I go to a restaurant?

Healthy. I want to eat healthy when I go to a restaurant. Not unhealthy. Whose advice do I want to listen to? My friend's advice? No, no. Not my friend's advice. I follow the doctor's advice. I usually order all the dishes on the menu, but eat only half of each plate.

Do I usually order all the dishes on the menu or only half? All the dishes. I usually order all the dishes on the menu, not just half. Do I do this occasionally or usually? Not occasionally. I usually order all the dishes on the menu. I only eat half of each dish, right?

Right. I order all the dishes on the menu, but only eat half of each plate. After some time, I become heavier than ever, and I don't understand why. When do I become heavier than ever? After some time, I become heavier than ever. Who becomes heavier? My cat? No, no, not my cat.

It's me who becomes heavier than ever. Do I understand why I get heavier? No, I don't understand why I get heavier than ever. After all, I did what my doctor recommended. Well, we're finished with our short practice. Answering many simple questions can improve your speaking just like talking in real life.

Today you've tried a small part of this question and answer technique. Do you want to learn more? Get my premium courses. Visit speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses. I'll be back next week. Bye-bye.