Food & drinkAdvanced
Asking for recommendations in English (advanced)
Advanced English for asking for recommendations. Key line: “Hey, if you were *ordering* for yourself, what would you *go* *for*?”
Full script
Lin
Hey, if you were ordering for yourself, what would you go for?
Them
Honestly, the fried chicken is great, and the pie's weirdly legendary.
Lin
That helps, because I panic a little when a menu has options.
Them
Then don't overthink it—get the chicken, and save room if you're even thinking about pie.
Lin
Is the pie actually that good, or are you just romantically involved with it?
Them
Let's just say I've defended that pie to strangers like it was family.
Lin
All right, you've sold me—I'll do the chicken, and probably regret skipping pie.
Them
Smart call. Give it ten minutes, and you'll be back negotiating custody of a pie slice.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
yourself
✓ If you were ordering for yourselfIf you were ordering for yourself
More natural than asking for recs directly
what to choose
✓ What would you go for?What would you go for?
Very common in conversation
save room
✓ Save roomSave room
Use it when more good food is coming
sold me
✓ You've sold me.You've sold me.
Means: I'm convinced
Quick answers
yourself: what to say in English
Say “If you were ordering for yourself” — if you were ordering for yourself. More natural than asking for recs directly.
what to choose: what to say in English
Say “What would you go for?” — what would you go for. Very common in conversation.
save room: what to say in English
Say “Save room” — save room. Use it when more good food is coming.
sold me: what to say in English
Say “You've sold me.” — you've sold me. Means: I'm convinced.