Zoran wasn’t expecting his new job as a restaurant server to be so difficult. “I worked in two different restaurants when I lived in Sarajevo,” he explained. “Now that I’m attending school in London, I can keep up with the class readings and lectures–I just need some help writing papers in English. But after class, when I work in the restaurant, the customers use expressions that sound strange to me.”
Zoran’s experience is common among non-native English speakers. It is usually easier to master the formal English used in classrooms and workplaces than the informal English used in restaurants. Customers, servers, and staff often use short expressions or idioms that don’t translate easily from one language to another. This can be confusing, especially if you’re busy and don’t have a lot of time to stop and think about the words people are using.
In this article, we will explain 15 common restaurant idioms and expressions used in both US and UK English, what they mean, and how you might hear them at a restaurant (or, in some cases, a bar or pub).
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1. “Hold the ___”
Meaning: Do not include this ingredient.
- “I would like a burger, but hold the onions.”
- “Can I have the cabbage salad? But hold the bacon, please.”
This is one of the most common restaurant expressions. It’s used in both US and UK English. Some non-native speakers (including Zoran) find it confusing because “hold” usually means to keep something in one’s hand.
2. “On the side”
Meaning: Served separately, not mixed in with other ingredients.
- “Could you put the dressing on the side?”
- “I would like the baked potato with sour cream on the side.”
Guests often say this when they want control over how much of a sauce, dressing, or other condiment is in the dish they ordered.
3. “Extra ___”
Meaning: More than the normal amount.
- “Extra cheese, please.”
- “Could I have extra gravy on my roast beef, please?”
Servers usually write this as a short note in the order.
4. “Happy Hour”
Meaning: A time when food or drinks are discounted.
- “Happy hour is from 5 to 6pm.”
- “Let’s go to Charlie’s Diner. They have free appetizers during happy hour.”
Note: Restaurants, bars, and pubs tend to be crowded during happy hour!
5. “Can I substitute / swap ___?”
Meaning: Replace one item with another.
- “Can I substitute the salad with soup?”
- “Is it okay if I swap the chips with onion rings?”
In the UK, “swap” is more common. “Substitute” sounds more formal.
6. “All set”
Meaning: I don’t need anything else right now.
- “We’re all set, thanks.”
- “Would you like more coffee, or are you all set?”
“All set” is often used when the guest is finished ordering, or finished eating.
7. “To go” (US) / “Takeaway” (UK)
Meaning: The food prepared at the restaurant will be eaten somewhere else.
- “Can I get this to go?”
- “Is this for takeaway?”
In US English, “carry out” is also commonly used in this context, especially at fast food restaurants like McDonald’s and Subway.
8. “Eat in” (UK) or “dine in” (US)
Meaning: Eat at the restaurant; the opposite of “takeaway”, “to go”, and “carry out”.
- “Is this to eat in or takeaway?”
- “We will be dining in this evening.”
Although “eat in” is primarily used in the UK, it is understood in the US.
9. “À la carte”
Meaning: Items are ordered separately, not as a set meal.
Example:
- “At this restaurant, you order dessert à la carte. It doesn’t come with your meal.”
- “You can choose from a variety of side dishes à la carte.”
10. “Can we get the check (US)/ bill (UK)?”
Meaning: We want to pay.
Example:
- “Can we get the check when you have a moment?” (US)
- “Could we have our bill, please?” (UK)
“Check” and “bill” mean the same thing, but usage depends on the country.
11. “Split the bill”
Meaning: The people who are eating at this table are paying for their food separately.
Example:
- “We are splitting the bill.”
- “I think we should split the bill, since there are five of us.”
12. “Doggy bag” (US)
Meaning: A bag or container for leftover food to take home.
- “Do you have a doggy bag for my other hamburger?”
- “Can I put the rest of this lasagna in a doggy bag?”
Although the word “doggy” is used, the food is almost always for a person, not a dog. “Box this up” has the same meaning.
13. “On the house”
Meaning: Free (the restaurant pays).
Example:
- “Happy New Year! All drinks are on the house tonight.”
- “I am sorry you’re unhappy with your soup. We can offer you a free dessert on the house.”
This phrase is usually used by servers or managers, not customers.
14. “Family style”
Meaning: Large dishes shared by everyone at the table.
- “The spaghetti at Gino’s Restaurant is served family style.”
- “Are all the dishes served family style?”
15. “Last call”
Meaning: The final chance to order (often drinks).
- “Last call for drinks!”
- “Last call! The bar closes in twenty minutes.”
This usually happens at a bar or pub near closing time.
Bonus tip: In restaurants “order” is used as both a noun and a verb.
- “Your order will be here shortly.” (Here, “order” is a noun.)
- “I would like to order the fish and chips.” (Here, “order” is a verb.)
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Whether you are a worker in a restaurant or a customer, knowing these expressions can reduce misunderstandings. If you’re ever unsure what an expression really means or if it sounds natural, TextRanch can help.
Our TextRanch editors check real-world English and help ESL speakers choose clear, natural wording for everyday situations, including dining and customer service. We will help you make sure your restaurant English sounds right—on both sides of the table.
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