Essential Ordering Phrases

These cover almost every restaurant situation:

• "I'll have the..." — standard ordering phrase
• "What do you recommend?" — asks for the server's favorite
• "Could you tell me what's in this?" — checks the ingredients
• "How spicy is this?" — heat level check
• "Could I get that on the side?" — dressing or sauce separately

One more regional tip: in the US you say "check," in the UK you say "bill," and in Australia either works.