How not to spend too much on food in the USA: 5 useful phrases and life hacks from Americans
'15.10.2020'
Source: Yandex Zen
Americans are real experts at getting the most out of every purchase! The author of the blog “English | English Winglish ”on Yandex Zen.
Americans are perhaps the most practical nation in the world; they approach any issue on the principle of “getting more for the same money”.
They also use it in relation to food: in their understanding, it should be fast, satisfying and inexpensive. Hence the boundless love for the so-called fast food - fast food residents of the United States are so loyal that, even with enough money in their wallet, they will prefer a hamburger with fries to any delicacy (hamburger and French fries) or spaghetti with meatballs (spaghetti with meatballs). And, of course, pizza (pizza) - pepperoni (pepperoni) or cheese (cheese), which many in the United States no longer consider Italian, but an American national dish.
And what does a hungry tourist, tired of hours of walking around the city, sightseeing and posing for hundreds of selfies and photos, want? About the same thing - to eat quickly, satisfyingly and inexpensively, and, preferably, tasty.
The American restaurant industry (and in the USA, by the way, not only McDonald's, KFC, but almost any eatery is proudly called a “restaurant”!) Can easily satisfy these simple requests - except for the item “delicious”, you are lucky.
Going to any typical American chain restaurant like iHop, Cheesecake Factory, TGI Friday's, Applebee's or Olive Garden, the hungry tourist needs to be on the alert. Portion sizes are so large that with the usual “three-course dinner plus compote”, you can safely feed five people.
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In order not to order too much and not overpay for food, it is worth remembering and using the following life hacks:
- When ordering a dish, be sure to ask about its size.
How big is a portion? - How big is the portion?
This will help you assess in advance if one dish is enough for you to eat, or if you need to order something else. This approach will help save your budget.
- If the portion is large, and you came to the restaurant with a company, do not hesitate to share (share) dish.
We would like to share it, please. - We would like to share this dish, please.
Sure (Of course), - the waiter will answer and, if necessary, will bring additional plates and cutlery.
- If you still missed and ordered more than you can handle, ask to wrap the food with you (to go).
Can I have this to go? - I can take this with me. / Can you box this to go, please? - Pack it with you, please.
Even in a fairly expensive restaurant, no one will look askance at you if you take the leftovers of your food - as we remember, Americans are very pragmatic. Plus, there can be so many leftovers that there is enough for another meal, and you save again.
- Another way to save money is not to order a drink with your meal. Most restaurants offer visitors free ice water. True, this will be ordinary tap water, but it is quite suitable for drinking, and most importantly, it is served in unlimited quantities.
Anything to drink? (What will you drink?) - Just water, please. (Just water, please.) - Tap or bottled? (Tap or bottled) - Tap, please. (From the tap, please).
- Please check if (check) tip (tips).
Are tips included? - Are tips included in the bill? / Is service included? - Is the service included in the bill?
Tipping in America is a rule of good form, but sometimes it is already included in the bill. In this case, you can leave extra money for tea if you really liked the service.
Original column published on the blog. “English | English Winglish " on Yandex Zen
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