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Food & Dining

Order Pizza in English

Practice restaurant English for ordering pizza, asking about recommendations, choosing toppings, and handling a casual American dining experience.

Read the full lesson summary

Vanessa and her husband Dan visit an American pizza restaurant with Rachel, their server. The lesson follows the real interaction from choosing a table and ordering drinks to discussing the menu, sharing food, paying, and taking leftovers home. Rachel describes several menu items, including a pizza with a garlic-and-olive-oil base, steak tips, and balsamic glaze. Vanessa asks for recommendations and orders a salad and two large pizzas.

The conversation offers useful customer language: ask what a dish contains, request a recommendation, ask for a couple of minutes to look over the menu, and say “Can you repeat that, please?” if something is unclear. Rachel explains that calzones take extra time, and the couple discusses sharing a plate, taking food home, reheating leftovers, and ordering dessert. The transcript keeps the speakers’ conversational wording while cleaning caption noise; unclear background fragments are not turned into learning phrases.

Vanessa and Dan also compare restaurant jobs. Dan describes working on commission and being encouraged to upsell, while both discuss how management and atmosphere can affect a job. Vanessa explains tipping as an important US dining custom and demonstrates a quick mental estimate: double the first digit of a bill, then round up when appropriate. This is her practical suggestion in the video, not a guaranteed rule or a claim that every restaurant’s policies, local laws, or expectations are identical. She also notes that cash tips should not be added to a card tip line if doing so could charge the customer twice.

Later, the group discusses tip pooling, where tips are shared among workers, and compares a casual restaurant with places that felt more formal. They describe the salad’s strawberries, arugula, vinaigrette, pecans, and goat cheese, then taste the unusual pizza and discuss what they like. The visit ends with leftovers, a dessert, and a conversation about how often they eat out.

To practise, ask for one recommendation and one clarification in a restaurant role-play. Use a polite follow-up if you did not understand, and confirm whether a tip has already been included before paying. The video is a language-and-culture example; prices, tipping practices, and workplace pay vary by location and over time.

S2.1
Speak English With VanessaAmerican English20:53

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Transcript

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing an American pizza-restaurant visit and the lesson’s materials

Are you ready to join me in an American pizza restaurant Today you are invited to join me and my husband Dan as we go into the restaurant I'm going to teach you what kind of you need to know how to order so that you can be more confident when you visit the US and you go into a restaurant Plus we are going to order a very unusual pizza that you have probably never heard of If you're new here hi I'm Vanessa from speakenglishwithvanessa com and I have been teaching real life English here on my YouTube channel for over the past 10 years to now more than 7 million of you Thank you so much for learning English with me And today like always I have created a free PDF worksheet with everything that you are about to learn everything that here in the bottom of the screen Plus I have added 50 questions and answers that a server in a restaurant will ask you during your dining experience You might not get asked all 50 of these questions but you

Try it: Role-play ordering at a restaurant: ask for a recommendation, confirm what is in a dish, request repetition if needed, and finish with a polite response. Treat tipping details as Vanessa’s account of US custom, not a universal rule.

Phrase cheat sheet

All phrases at a glance

Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

44 phrases

Showing 44 of 44 phrases

customs and etiquette

Introducing an American pizza-restaurant visit and the lesson’s materials · expression

Shared social practices and polite behavior expected in a setting.

Tone and use: Neutral cultural vocabulary. Use it when discussing how people are generally expected to behave.

May not fit: Customs vary across places and establishments.

Example“The guide explains local customs and etiquette for dining.”

will come up

Introducing an American pizza-restaurant visit and the lesson’s materials · expression

Will appear or be mentioned during an activity or conversation.

Tone and use: Common spoken phrase. Use it for information that is likely to arise later.

May not fit: It can refer to a topic, event, or problem appearing.

Example“The menu vocabulary will come up during the role-play.”

pick anywhere

Arriving, choosing a table, and meeting the server · expression

Choose any available place or option.

Tone and use: Casual spoken permission. Use it when someone is free to select from several options.

May not fit: Check for restrictions before choosing.

Example“You can pick anywhere you like in the room.”

taking care of you

Arriving, choosing a table, and meeting the server · expression

Looking after a customer by helping and providing service.

Tone and use: Common hospitality phrase. Use it when a server explains that they will assist a table.

May not fit: Here it means provide service, not assume personal responsibility.

Example“Your server will be taking care of you during dinner.”

look things over

Ordering drinks and asking for recommendations · expression

Examine something before making a decision.

Tone and use: Common conversational phrase. Use it when reviewing a menu, document, or set of options.

May not fit: It implies a brief review, not a detailed inspection.

Example“Could we have a minute to look things over?”

do you have any recommendations

Ordering drinks and asking for recommendations · expression

Ask someone to suggest a good option.

Tone and use: Polite and practical. Use it when seeking advice from someone who knows the choices.

May not fit: Mention preferences or dietary needs if relevant.

Example“Do you have any recommendations for a vegetarian dish?”

a side of marinara

Ordering drinks and asking for recommendations · expression

A small separate serving of marinara sauce.

Tone and use: Restaurant ordering phrase. Use it when asking for a sauce alongside the main dish.

May not fit: Check whether there is an extra charge if that matters.

Example“Could we get a side of marinara with the bread?”

on draft

Choosing salads, draft drinks, and special pizzas · expression

Served from a keg or tap rather than from an individual bottle or can.

Tone and use: Common US restaurant phrase. Use it when asking about beer available from a tap.

May not fit: The phrase usually refers to drinks, especially beer.

Example“What do you have on draft today?”

splurge

Choosing salads, draft drinks, and special pizzas · expression

Spend more than usual on something enjoyable or special.

Tone and use: Informal and positive. Use it when choosing a more expensive treat or option.

May not fit: Make sure the extra cost fits your budget.

Example“We decided to splurge on a large pizza for everyone.”

eat off the same plate

Choosing salads, draft drinks, and special pizzas · expression

Share food from one plate.

Tone and use: Casual dining phrase. Use it when two people plan to share a dish.

May not fit: Ask first if sharing is comfortable for everyone.

Example“We can eat off the same plate if the portion is large.”

heats up very nicely

Placing the order, sharing food, and discussing restaurant work · expression

Reheats well and remains enjoyable.

Tone and use: Conversational food description. Use it when leftovers taste good after reheating.

May not fit: Reheating time and food safety still matter.

Example“The pasta heats up very nicely the next day.”

worked on commission

Placing the order, sharing food, and discussing restaurant work · expression

Earned some or all pay based on sales or completed transactions.

Tone and use: Common work and sales phrase. Use it when describing performance-based compensation.

May not fit: Pay structures differ; clarify the actual terms.

Example“She worked on commission selling furniture.”

upsell

Placing the order, sharing food, and discussing restaurant work · expression

Encourage a customer to buy a more expensive or additional item.

Tone and use: Retail and service vocabulary. Use it when describing a sales suggestion that increases the purchase.

May not fit: It can sound negative if the suggestion feels pushy.

Example“The server tried to upsell us to a larger drink.”

fastpaced job

Comparing past restaurant jobs and service work · expression

Work that involves moving quickly and handling tasks at a rapid rate.

Tone and use: Common workplace description. Use it to describe a role with frequent activity or time pressure.

May not fit: Fast-paced does not automatically mean well-managed.

Example“A busy restaurant can be a fast-paced job.”

salt of the earth

Comparing past restaurant jobs and service work · expression

A highly decent, dependable, and unpretentious person or group.

Tone and use: Warm idiom. Use it to praise people seen as genuine and hardworking.

May not fit: It is informal and strongly complimentary.

Example“The kitchen crew were salt-of-the-earth people.”

treat people well

Comparing past restaurant jobs and service work · expression

Behave considerately and fairly toward others.

Tone and use: Common interpersonal phrase. Use it when discussing good management or relationships.

May not fit: It is broad; explain the behavior when specifics matter.

Example“Good managers treat people well.”

the unspoken rule

Describing restaurant workplaces and introducing tipping customs · expression

An expectation people follow even though it may not be formally stated.

Tone and use: Common cultural phrase. Use it for an understood social convention.

May not fit: Expectations can differ; ask politely if unsure.

Example“In some settings, greeting everyone is an unspoken rule.”

totally acceptable

Describing restaurant workplaces and introducing tipping customs · expression

Completely permitted or socially okay in the situation.

Tone and use: Friendly reassurance. Use it to tell someone an action is fine.

May not fit: Acceptability depends on context and local practice.

Example“It is totally acceptable to ask what an item contains.”

can you repeat that, please

Describing restaurant workplaces and introducing tipping customs · expression

A polite request for someone to say something again.

Tone and use: Useful clarification request. Use it when you did not hear or understand.

May not fit: A calm tone makes the request sound courteous.

Example“Sorry, can you repeat that, please?”

multiply it by two

Asking questions, requesting repetition, and understanding tip expectations · expression

Double a number by calculating two times its value.

Tone and use: Math and practical calculation phrase. Use it when estimating a value quickly.

May not fit: Check the result when accuracy matters.

Example“To double six, multiply it by two.”

round up

Asking questions, requesting repetition, and understanding tip expectations · expression

Increase a number to the next convenient whole amount.

Tone and use: Common calculation phrase. Use it when choosing a slightly larger rounded value.

May not fit: The exact amount depends on the context and rules.

Example“I rounded the estimate up to fifteen dollars.”

average server make in tips per night

Calculating a tip and discussing how restaurant pay works · expression

Ask how much a server typically earns in tips during one shift.

Tone and use: Practical workplace question. Use it when learning about expected tip income at a restaurant.

May not fit: Actual earnings vary by hours, shifts, and location.

Example“You could ask what the average server makes in tips per night.”

the atmosphere was cheap

Comparing past serving jobs and restaurant atmosphere · expression

The setting felt casual or low-budget, in the speaker’s description.

Tone and use: Context-dependent evaluation. Use it to describe how a place feels rather than its exact price.

May not fit: “Cheap” can sound critical; choose “casual” or “budget-friendly” when that is what you mean.

Example“The restaurant felt inexpensive and casual.”

serving job

Comparing past serving jobs and restaurant atmosphere · expression

A job providing food or drinks to customers.

Tone and use: Common restaurant-work phrase. Use it when referring to employment as a server.

May not fit: Job titles and duties vary by workplace.

Example“Her first serving job was at a neighborhood café.”

shares the tips

Contrasting restaurant atmosphere and shared tips · expression

Divides tip money among multiple workers.

Tone and use: Restaurant pay phrase. Use it when a workplace distributes tips across a team.

May not fit: Ask how the policy works; arrangements differ.

Example“This restaurant shares the tips among the staff.”

stiffed you

Contrasting restaurant atmosphere and shared tips · expression

Failed to leave a tip that was expected in the situation.

Tone and use: Informal and negative. Use it when describing a customer who left no tip.

May not fit: It is judgmental slang; use neutral wording in formal discussion.

Example“The group stiffed the server after the meal.”

tip pooling

Learning tip-pooling vocabulary while trying the salad · expression

Collecting tips and sharing them among a group of workers.

Tone and use: Restaurant industry term. Use it when describing shared tip distribution.

May not fit: The rules and eligible roles vary by employer and jurisdiction.

Example“The restaurant uses tip pooling for the dining and kitchen teams.”

embarrassment threshold

Describing salad ingredients and flavours · expression

The point at which someone begins to feel embarrassed.

Tone and use: Informal humorous phrase. Use it when comparing how easily people feel self-conscious.

May not fit: This is a playful description, not a formal psychological measure.

Example“He has a high embarrassment threshold on stage.”

get embarrassed easily

Describing salad ingredients and flavours · expression

Feel self-conscious or awkward with little prompting.

Tone and use: Common personal description. Use it when talking about comfort in public situations.

May not fit: People vary by situation and culture.

Example“I do not get embarrassed easily when speaking in class.”

perfect for each other

Describing salad ingredients and flavours · expression

Well matched or suited to one another.

Tone and use: Warm conversational phrase. Use it when describing compatible people or things.

May not fit: It is an opinion, not an objective assessment.

Example“Their different personalities make them perfect for each other.”

looks like a lot

Talking about embarrassment while filming in public · expression

Appears to be a large amount or portion.

Tone and use: Common reaction phrase. Use it when food or another quantity seems abundant.

May not fit: “A lot” is informal; specify the amount when precision matters.

Example“That bowl looks like a lot for one person.”

with a fork

Talking about embarrassment while filming in public · expression

Using a fork as the tool for eating.

Tone and use: Everyday dining phrase. Use it when describing how you will eat a dish.

May not fit: Utensil customs vary by dish and setting.

Example“I usually eat salad with a fork.”

can’t go wrong with

Receiving the food and describing its size and temperature · expression

A choice is reliably good or suitable.

Tone and use: Common informal recommendation. Use it when expressing confidence in a familiar option.

May not fit: It is a general opinion; preferences differ.

Example“You can’t go wrong with fresh bread and soup.”

the winner

Receiving the food and describing its size and temperature · expression

The option judged best among those being compared.

Tone and use: Casual comparison phrase. Use it when naming a favorite choice.

May not fit: Make clear that this is a personal preference.

Example“Of the two desserts, the lemon cake is the winner.”

water to go

Tasting the unusual pizza and describing its ingredients · expression

Water ordered to take away rather than drink at the table.

Tone and use: Restaurant phrase. Use it when requesting water for the trip home.

May not fit: Confirm whether the container or drink has an extra charge.

Example“Could we get some water to go, please?”

take some

Tasting the unusual pizza and describing its ingredients · expression

Accept or have a portion of something offered.

Tone and use: Common response in a meal. Use it when agreeing to have some food or drink.

May not fit: Specify which item if several are being offered.

Example“I’ll take some of the salad, thanks.”

on top of the bill

Choosing a favorite, packing leftovers, and ordering dessert · expression

A position resting on the upper surface of the check or payment document.

Tone and use: Practical payment phrase. Use it when describing where the cash tip was placed.

May not fit: Confirm how the bill is being paid to avoid duplicate tipping.

Example“I left the cash on top of the bill.”

charged double

Choosing a favorite, packing leftovers, and ordering dessert · expression

Billed twice for the same amount or item.

Tone and use: Payment-related phrase. Use it when warning about a possible duplicate charge.

May not fit: Review the receipt and payment method.

Example“Check the card statement so you are not charged double.”

write it in there

Choosing a favorite, packing leftovers, and ordering dessert · expression

Enter an amount in the indicated blank or line.

Tone and use: Practical form-filling phrase. Use it when recording a tip on the payment slip.

May not fit: Follow the form’s instructions and keep a copy of the receipt.

Example“If paying by card, write the tip in the line provided.”

average it out

Calculating the bill and leaving a tip · expression

Calculate a typical amount across several occasions or values.

Tone and use: Common estimation phrase. Use it when estimating a regular frequency or cost.

May not fit: An average hides differences between individual weeks.

Example“We eat out once a week if you average it out.”

once a week

Calculating the bill and leaving a tip · expression

One time during each week.

Tone and use: Common frequency phrase. Use it to describe a weekly routine.

May not fit: Say “about once a week” if it is not exact.

Example“We usually order pizza once a week.”

thrown in there

Talking about how often the couple eats out · expression

Added as an extra item or event, often among others.

Tone and use: Informal conversational phrase. Use it for an additional occurrence in a list or schedule.

May not fit: It is casual and may be vague without context.

Example“We might have another dinner out thrown in there.”

something about American culture

Comparing family meals, dates, and takeout · expression

Some knowledge about practices or ideas in the United States.

Tone and use: Neutral learning phrase. Use it when describing cultural learning through an experience.

May not fit: Avoid assuming one person or restaurant represents everyone.

Example“Travel can help you learn something about American culture.”

more confidence

Comparing family meals, dates, and takeout · expression

A stronger feeling of assurance or ability.

Tone and use: Common learning goal. Use it when describing increased comfort doing something.

May not fit: Confidence can grow gradually and does not require perfect speech.

Example“Practice gave me more confidence ordering in English.”

Knowledge check

Practice the phrases you heard

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Use it in a sentence · “do you have any recommendations”

Which question politely asks a server to suggest a menu item?