If you’re dining at an American restaurant with an American friend or colleague, you can ask that individual what he’s ordering or, if he’s dined at this restaurant before, what he recommends.
If he doesn’t have any suggestions, you’ll need to read the menu offerings and choose one or more items. Bear in mind that most restaurants will serve only the items listed on their menus.
If you’re eating lunch, you’ll usually order a sandwich or salad and/or soup and a beverage, like water, coffee, tea (iced or hot), or soda. So, when the waiter or waitress comes to your table, you might say, “I’d like a cup of clam chowder, a bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwich on whole wheat toast, and a Diet Coke”
If you’re eating dinner, you might order an appetizer like soup or salad, a main course, like pasta, fish, chicken, or meat, a beverage, and possibly dessert. When the waiter or waitress comes to your table, you might say, “I’d like a small caesar salad, a veal chop cooked medium-well, and a baked potato with butter. For now, water is fine. I may order tea or coffee later.”
If you and a friend want to share an item, you’ll need to ask your waiter whether you can do so. If you can and you’d like your own portion, you can request that the kitchen split this item and serve it on two plates.
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