Would you like to order? - At the Restaurant in Spanish

I'm a big fan of food, all kinds of food (except beets). When one begins to learn a new language, one can't help but wonder about that culture's particular foods. The connection between food, language and culture is practically inevitable. Also, if you show an interest in the country's food it will help you to fit in better with the locals. Also, it can be a lot of fun to go to a restaurant and try out your new language skills. You will be surprised at the reaction you will get from the restaurant's staff. Once again, let's get to it then:

Let's start from the very beginning. You would start first by making a reservation:

- Aló, quiero hacer una reserva. (Hello, I'd like to make a reservation.)

- Por supuesto, ¿para cuantas personas? (Certainly, for how many people?)

- Dos. (Two)

- Muy bien. Para cuando? (Very well, for when?)

- Para mañana a las 7 de la noche. (For tomorrow at 7pm.)

- Excelente, los veré mañana. (Great, we'll see you tomorrow.)

- Muchas gracias! (Thank you very much!)

Ok that's the first part. Now let's assume that you and your party made it to the restaurant.

- Buenas noches, me llamo Juan Perez y tengo una reserva para las 7. (Good evening, I'm John Smith and I have a reservation at 7.)

- Quiere sentarse en la sección de fumadores o no fumadores? (Would you like to seat in the smoking or non-smoking area?)

- No fumadores. (Non-smoking.)

You are now in your seats, and you want to start ordering. Let's say you want to order some drinks:

- Disculpe mozo, quisieramos algo de tomar. (Excuse me waiter, we would like something to drink.)

- Por supuesto, ¿qué quisieran tomar? (Certainly, what would you like to drink?)

- Yo quiero un vaso de vodka y una coca-cola. (I want a glass of vodka and a coke.)

- Lo siento, no tenemos coca-cola. ¿Está bien una pepsi? ( Sorry, we don't have coke. Would a Pepsi be okay?)

- Supongo que sí. (I guess so.)

The drinks have made it to your table, and you now want to order some appetizer. Let's come up with an example:

- Amigo, quiero pan de ajo por favor. (Dude, I want some garlic bread please.)

- De inmediato señor. (Right away sir.)

After that you decide to order the main dish.

- Quiero un pollo frito entero (I want a whole fried chicken), extra crocante (extra crispy) , con mucho aceite (with many oil) y muy poca sal (and a little salt).

- ¿Algo más? (Anything else?)

- Si (yes), quisiera (I would like) un plato (a plate) de (of) papas fritas (fries).

- Y de postre (and for dessert) quisiera (I would like) un pedazo (a piece) de (of) torta de chocolate (chocolate cake).

Now let's suppose that things did not go so well at dinner, and you want to make a complaint:

- Disculpe, mi pollo no está bien frito! (Excuse me, my chicken is not well cooked!)

- Esto es el colmo (this is outrageous!) hay un pelo (there is a hair) en mi sopa (in my soup.)

- El servicio (the service) aquí (here) es (is) terrible (terrible.)

- No te voy a dar propina. (I'm not going to tip you.)

- Esto es el colmo (this is outrageous!) hay una mosca (there is a fly) en mi sopa (in my soup.)

- Suficiente (enough!) quiero hablar con el dueño ( I want to speak to the owner.)

- Aquí no volveré. ( I will not come back.)

On the other hand let us be more positive, and let's assume that the dinner was delicious.

- Estuvo delicioso (It was delicious!)

- Volveré con mis amigos. (I will come back with my friends.)

- Estuvo exquisito. (It was exquisite)

- Lo felicito (I congratulate you), este restaurante (this restaurant) es fantástico (is fantastic.)

- Aquí tiene su propina. (Here's your tip.)

As you can see, there are many things you can learn when you go to a restaurant and speak a foreign language. What I covered above is just a small portion of what you can actually learn when you go out and try it for yourself. Therefore I encourage you to go and see for yourself what I mean.