Food & drinkAdvanced
Ordering at a restaurant in English (advanced)
Advanced English for ordering at a restaurant. Key line: “Hi, could I get the roast beef sandwich, with gravy on the side?”
Full script
Lin
Hi, could I get the roast beef sandwich, with gravy on the side?
Them
You got it. Want mashed potatoes, fries, or are you pretending to be healthy?
Lin
Let's do the mashed potatoes—I'm only pretending till dessert.
Them
Smart strategy. Do you want the sandwich toasted, or kept nice and classic?
Lin
Toasted, please, and could you leave off the pickles? They always sneak in.
Them
No problem. Anything to drink, or are the pickles stealing the whole spotlight?
Lin
Just an iced tea, and if a pickle appears, I'll consider it personal.
Them
Deal—one surprise-free lunch, and I'll tell the pickles they lost today.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Order
✓ Could I get ...?Polite way to order
More natural in speech than I'd like
Side
✓ on the sideserved separately
Use for sauces or toppings
Leave off
✓ leave off the picklesask not to add pickles
More natural than no pickles
Pretending
✓ I'm only pretending till dessert.I'm acting healthy till dessert
Funny line for casual chat
Quick answers
Order: what to say in English
Say “Could I get ...?” — polite way to order. More natural in speech than I'd like.
Side: what to say in English
Say “on the side” — served separately. Use for sauces or toppings.
Leave off: what to say in English
Say “leave off the pickles” — ask not to add pickles. More natural than no pickles.
Pretending: what to say in English
Say “I'm only pretending till dessert.” — i'm acting healthy till dessert. Funny line for casual chat.