English Conversation: How to Order Food at a Restaurant

  We will learn the most common ways of ordering food at a restaurant, whether it is a fast-food place like McDonald's or a diner.
  Let's dive in and add this essential conversational skill to our tool belt.   You must eat, right? :)


  So, let's imagine you've looked at the menu and made your decision, now it's time to order:

  I'd (I would) like fish and chips, please.
  I'd like to order small margherita pizza.

  These are the most polite options we're exploring.

  Can I get a cheeseburger and fries, please?
  Could I get a cheeseburger and fries, please?
  Can I have a cheeseburger and fries, please?
  Could I have a cheeseburger and fries, please?

  Notice that we added 'please' at the end to be more polite.

  'Could' is more polite than 'can'.

  I'll (I will) have the cheesecake.
  I'll take the cheesecake.
  I'll get the cheesecake.

  These are more direct methods of placing an order at a restaurant compared to the previous examples.
  In other words, they are less polite.

  I want a hamburger.

  Again, this is another straightforward way.