In today's post, we're going to look at a very useful skill: how to order pizza over the phone in English. This can be a bit tricky if English is not your first language but don't worry. I'll make it simple and clear, step by step. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to pick up the phone, call your favorite pizza place, and order exactly what you want without any stress.

Though technology has evolved and more people today might use online platforms or mobile apps to place their orders, the traditional phone call to the local pizzeria holds its charm and is still quite common.

We'll step into a familiar scene here — a phone conversation between a customer and a pizza shop employee. This setup helps us explore the typical phrases and exchanges that occur during the process, ensuring that you, too, can participate in this cultural tradition confidently.

My First Job at a Pizza Place

Before jumping into how you can order a pizza like a pro, I want to share a bit of my own experience. You see, my very first job wasn't in an office or at a store, but at a pizza restaurant. I was just 16 years old, still in high school in Ohio, when I started working there.

It was a pretty cool job for someone my age, especially since I got to eat free pizza, which was a huge perk. Even though I wasn't exactly in love with the job, it taught me a lot, especially about how pizzas get ordered and made.

Everything I'm about to teach you isn't just made up; it's what actually happens in real pizza restaurants. It's the real deal, the kind of stuff you'd want to know to make your pizza ordering experience smooth and stress-free.

Understanding Key Phrases When Ordering Pizza

Ordering food, especially a pizza, requires knowing specific phrases to make sure you get exactly what you crave. Whether you're ordering over the phone or in person, these key phrases will help you communicate what you want clearly.

Making Your Order

When it's time to tell the server or cashier what you'd like, there are several phrases you can use:

• "I would like..." This is a polite way to start your order. For example, "I would like a large pepperoni pizza."
• "I'll have..." A common phrase used in many situations, like ordering on a plane. For instance, "I'll have a soda with my pizza."
• "I'll get..." Similar to "I’ll have," but used more casually.
• "I want..." Direct and straightforward, though slightly less polite.
• "I'd like..." Short for "I would like," it's another polite way to express your order.
• "Can I get..." / "Can I have..." / "Can I order..." These phrases are great for asking if something is available as part of your order, such as "Can I get an order of chicken wings?"

Remember, all these phrases are acceptable when ordering pizza or any other food.

Sizes and Extras

When ordering pizza, you’ll need to know how to specify the size:

• "Small," "Medium," "Large" - These are standard pizza sizes.

You might also want to add something on the side:

• "A side of..." / "An order of..." These phrases are used for extras, like "an order of fries."

Crust Types

The crust is a crucial part of your pizza preference:

• Thin Crust - A crispy and crunchy base.
• Thick Crust - A doughy, bread-like base.
• New York Style Pizza - Known for its thin crust.
• Chicago Style Pizza - Famous for its deep, thick crust.

While these are common types, crust offerings can vary by pizzeria.

Toppings

Toppings are what you choose to have on top of your pizza, excluding the basic cheese and tomato sauce:

• Toppings - Anything from mushrooms to pepperoni.
• "Extra" - Use this if you want more of a topping, like "extra cheese."
• "Half" - If you want different toppings on each side, use "half," such as "half mushrooms, half olives."

Understanding these phrases will help you order your pizza exactly how you like it. Whether you want extra cheese, a different crust, or a variety of toppings, now you know how to convey your preferences clearly and confidently.

Placing the Pizza Order: Sample Dialogue

Now that you understand the key phrases, let's take a look at another sample dialogue. This will help you understand how variations in your order can be communicated effectively.

• Pizza Store Employee: Hello, thank you for calling Domino's.
• Customer: Hi, yeah. I'd like to order a pizza.
• Pizza Store Employee: Okay, what size would you like?
• Customer: Actually, make it two pizzas, both large.
• Pizza Store Employee: Sure. And what toppings would you like on them?
• Customer: Can I get the first one, half pepperoni, and sausage? Half onions.
• Pizza Store Employee: Got it.
• Customer: For the second one I'll get the Garden Pizza without olives. And I want extra cheese on that one. Actually, extra cheese on both pizzas.
• Pizza Store Employee: Yeah. Sure, got it. Anything else?
• Customer: You know what? I'll get one more small, regular, plain cheese. And I want that one with a cheesy crust.
• Pizza Store Employee: Sure. And what would you like on that one?
• Customer: On the small, I just want plain cheese with extra mozzarella and extra sauce.
• Pizza Store Employee: Okay, so two large pizzas, one with half pepperoni and sausage, half onion. The other one is a Garden Pizza with no olives, then a small cheesy crust, plain cheese with extra cheese and sauce, is that right?
• Customer: Yep, that's right.
• Pizza Store Employee: Okay, will that be all?
• Customer: Hmmm, and I guess a small order of barbecue wings.
• Pizza Store Employee: Sure, anything else like something to drink?
• Customer: Do you have Diet Pepsi?
• Pizza Store Employee: Yes, we have cans and two liters.
• Customer: I'll get a can and nothing else.
• Pizza Store Employee: Okay, will that be for pickup or delivery?
• Customer: That's for pickup. No, no, no. Yeah, pick up.
• Pizza Store Employee: Great. It'll be ready in about 20 minutes.
• Customer: Okay, thank you.
• Pizza Store Employee: Thank you. Bye.

Wrapping It Up

And there you have it! Ordering pizza over the phone in English might seem a bit scary at first, especially if you're not used to speaking the language. But remember, the person on the other end wants to help you get your pizza just as much as you want to eat it. Keep it simple, use the phrases we talked about, and don't worry about making mistakes. Everyone learns by trying. Next time you're hungry for pizza, grab the phone and use what you've learned. Go ahead, you've got this!