Making Special Requests or Dietary Needs
A customer informs the waiter about allergies, dietary restrictions, or asks for modifications to a dish (e.g., 'no onions', 'sauce on the side').
Dialogue8
Excuse me, could you tell me if the cashew chicken has peanuts in it? My son has a severe peanut allergy.
Let me check for you right away. Our cashew chicken typically doesn't, but I'll confirm with the kitchen just to be absolutely sure.
Thank you, I really appreciate that. And for my order, could I please have the grilled salmon, but with the sauce on the side and no butter?
Of course, salmon with sauce on the side and no butter. Understood. And regarding the cashew chicken, I've confirmed with the chef – it's free of peanuts. We do use other nuts like cashews themselves, of course, but no peanuts.
That's wonderful news! So it's safe for him then. Thank you so much for checking.
You're very welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with regarding your order or any other dietary needs?
No, I think that covers everything. We're ready to order now.
Excellent. I'll get these orders in for you right away. Thank you.
Vocabulary8
- allergy
A health condition where your body reacts badly to certain foods or things, like peanuts, which can be dangerous.
- severe
Very serious or strong, often used to describe a bad allergy or problem that needs careful attention.
- confirm
To check and make sure something is true or correct, like asking the kitchen about ingredients.
- typically
Usually or in most cases, used to describe what happens normally but not always.
- appreciate
To feel grateful or thankful for someone's help or kindness, a polite way to show thanks.
- sauce on the side
A request to serve the sauce separately from the main dish, so you can add it yourself.
- free of
Without or containing none of something, like 'free of peanuts' meaning no peanuts are in the dish.
- dietary needs
Special requirements for food due to health, allergies, or preferences, like avoiding certain ingredients.
Key Sentences6
- 1
Excuse me, could you tell me if the cashew chicken has peanuts in it? My son has a severe peanut allergy.
This is a polite way to ask about food ingredients due to an allergy. Use it in restaurants to check safety; 'could you tell me if' is a formal question structure for requests.
- 2
Let me check for you right away.
A helpful response from service staff meaning they'll verify information immediately. Useful for waiters; 'right away' means quickly, showing good customer service.
- 3
Could I please have the grilled salmon, but with the sauce on the side and no butter?
This sentence makes a special order request politely. 'Could I please' is a very courteous way to ask; use it to modify dishes for dietary needs, explaining changes clearly.
- 4
I've confirmed with the chef – it's free of peanuts.
This reassures the customer after checking. 'I've confirmed' uses present perfect for recent actions; useful to build trust when reporting verified information.
- 5
Is there anything else I can assist you with regarding your order or any other dietary needs?
A professional way for staff to offer more help. 'Is there anything else' invites further questions; use it to show attentiveness in service situations.
- 6
No, I think that covers everything. We're ready to order now.
This confirms all requests are complete and signals to proceed. 'That covers everything' means all issues are addressed; use it when finished discussing modifications.