Let's Order Food! 🍽️

A1 Reading Practice for English Learners

👋 Welcome back! Today you will learn how to order food in English. You will read a short story, a real conversation at a restaurant, and practice the most useful phrases. Ready? Let's eat! 🍕

📖 Key Vocabulary

Menu The list of food and drinks at a restaurant
Waiter / Waitress The person who takes your order
Order To ask for food or drinks
Table for two A table for two people
Appetizer A small dish before the main course
Main course The biggest dish of the meal
Check / Bill The paper that shows how much you must pay
Tip Extra money for the waiter's service
Pam

Story: Pam and Angie's Sushi Night

Pam loves sushi, and her sister Angie loves Japanese food too. On Friday night, they go to a small sushi restaurant near Angie's apartment. A waiter says, "Good evening! Table for two?" Pam smiles and says, "Yes, please."

The waiter gives them the menu. Pam looks at the menu and says, "Everything looks delicious!" Angie already knows what she wants. She always orders the same thing: salmon rolls and miso soup.

When the waiter comes back, he asks, "Are you ready to order?" Pam says, "Yes. I'd like the tuna rolls, please." Angie says, "And I'll have the salmon rolls and a miso soup, please." The waiter writes it down and says, "Great choice! Anything to drink?" Pam asks for green tea, and Angie asks for water.

The food arrives quickly. It smells amazing! Pam and Angie eat slowly and talk about their trip to Cancun next summer. At the end, the waiter brings the bill. Pam says, "Can we have the check, please?" They pay and leave a nice tip because the service was excellent.

  1. What does Pam order?
  2. What does Angie always order?
  3. What does Pam ask for to drink?
  4. What do they talk about while eating?
  5. What do they leave for the waiter at the end?
💡

In English, we usually say "please" when we order, and "thank you" when the waiter brings something. It's very polite!

Ray

Conversation: Ray Orders Dinner

Ray is tired after work, so he decides to eat at a restaurant instead of cooking. Read the conversation between Ray and the waiter.

Waiter: Good evening, sir. Table for one?
Ray: Yes, please.

Waiter: Here is the menu. Can I get you something to drink first?
Ray: Yes, I'll have a coffee, please.

Waiter: Sure. Are you ready to order, or do you need more time?
Ray: I'm ready. Could I have the chicken with vegetables, please?

Waiter: Of course. Would you like an appetizer too?
Ray: No, thank you. Just the main course.

Waiter: Perfect. Your food will be ready soon.
Ray: Thank you very much.

(20 minutes later...)

Waiter: Here you go! Enjoy your meal.
Ray: This looks great, thanks! Could I also get the check when you have a moment?
Waiter: Of course, I'll bring it right away.

  1. What does Ray order to drink?
  2. What is Ray's main course?
  3. Does Ray want an appetizer?
  4. What does Ray ask for at the end?

🗣️ Useful Phrases for Ordering Food

1
I'd like... / I'll have...
▼
MeaningA polite way to say what you want to order.
Examples
✓ Say thisI'd like a burger, please.
✗ AvoidGive me a burger.
2
Could I have...? / Can I get...?
▼
MeaningA friendly, common way to ask for food or drinks.
Examples
✓ Say thisCould I have some water, please?
✗ AvoidI want water now.
3
Could I have the check/bill, please?
▼
MeaningHow you ask to pay at the end of the meal.
Examples
✓ Say thisCould we have the check, please?
✗ AvoidGive me the paper.
⏰ Use this after you finish eating, when you're ready to pay.

✍️ Your Turn!

Write a short dialogue

Imagine you are Ellie or Daniel at the restaurant where they work. Write a short conversation between a customer and the waiter. Use at least 3 phrases from this lesson!

Great job! 🎉

You just learned how to order food in English. Practice this dialogue with a friend or your teacher!