Ordering steak in English
What to say when ordering steak, choosing doneness, sides, and sauce.
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Say how you want it cooked
5 levels: rare → medium rare → medium → medium well → well done (fully cooked)
Polite: ask to swap the side
instead of = in place of; side = side dish
Ask for the sauce separately
peppercorn = black pepper sauce; mushroom = mushroom sauce
Simple drink order
still water = no bubbles; tap water = from the tap (often free)
Quick answers
They will ask: what to say in English
Say “Medium rare, please.” — say how you want it cooked. 5 levels: rare → medium rare → medium → medium well → well done (fully cooked).
Skip the fries: what to say in English
Say “Can I get mashed potatoes instead of fries?” — polite: ask to swap the side. instead of = in place of; side = side dish.
Dip it yourself: what to say in English
Say “On the side, please.” — ask for the sauce separately. peppercorn = black pepper sauce; mushroom = mushroom sauce.
You can skip alcohol: what to say in English
Say “Just sparkling water, thanks.” — simple drink order. still water = no bubbles; tap water = from the tap (often free).