Ordering food over the phone stresses out a lot of English learners. You can't see the menu, you have to respond quickly, and if you mess up or don't understand something, you can't just point at what you want.

But phone orders follow a predictable pattern, whether you're calling a pizza place, a Chinese restaurant, or the deli down the street. Once you know what to expect and what phrases to use, the whole process gets easier.

Starting the call

When you call, someone will answer with a greeting. It might be "Hello, welcome to Joe's Pizza" or just "Golden Dragon, how can I help you?"

Wait for them to finish, then say what you're calling to do. You can place an order for delivery or order for pickup, and saying which one up front tells them right away whether they need your address or just need to get the food ready for you to grab.

I'd like to place an order for delivery, please.
Hi, I'd like to order for pickup.

A man in a plaid shirt smiles while talking on a flip phone in a living room.

Describing what you want

This is the part that makes people nervous. That’s because you're trying to name exactly what you want, and do it fast enough that you're not holding up the call.

For a pizza order, the usual order is size, then crust, then toppings.

I'd like a large thin crust pizza with mushrooms and olives.

For something like Chinese food, you're often listing dish names instead of building one item piece by piece.

Can I get an order of fried rice and two spring rolls?

At a sandwich shop or deli, size and filling come first, with extras added as you go.

I'll have a foot-long turkey sub with extra pickles, no onions.

A black-and-white photo of a young boy speaking into an old telephone receiver.

If you want something left out or added, say it right when you order that item. Then once your main order's in, adding extras is simple. You don't need to overthink this part, just list what you want.

Can I also get an order of breadsticks and a bottle of water?
I'll take an egg roll and a soda with that too.

Confirming the order

After you've listed everything, they'll repeat it back to you. Listen carefully, since this is your chance to catch a mistake before the food's made wrong.

If it's right, confirm it.

Yes, that's correct.
You've got it.

If something's off, correct it right away.

Sorry, I said thick crust, not thin crust.
I ordered spring rolls, not egg rolls.

Giving your address for delivery

If you're getting delivery, they'll ask for your name, address, and phone number. Have it ready so you're not searching for your own street name mid-call.

My name's Tom Thompson, and you can deliver it to 123 City Street.
I'm Shirley Sherwood, at 456 Uptown Avenue, Apartment 2C, near the bank.

Give your phone number last, in case the driver has trouble finding you.

Timing and payment

Before you hang up, find out how long you're waiting.

How long is it going to take?
What's the ETA? (ETA = Estimated Time of Arrival)

A man in a black sweater sits at a table looking down at his watch.

If you're picking up instead, ask when it'll be ready.

When can I pick it up?
What time will it be ready?

Before ending the call, ask what you owe.

How much will that be?
What's the total?

If you're paying cash, just say so. If you're paying by card, ask whether they take it over the phone or only at delivery. It varies from place to place. Once that's settled, a quick "Thanks" is all you need before hanging up.

If the idea of calling still makes you hesitate, just remember that the person on the other end does this all day. With people who speak slowly, people with accents, people who change their mind halfway through an order. So it's fine if you stumble a few times. Keep at it, and you'll get there.

How to order food over the phone in English