American restaurants are in many ways similar to those in Britain. If you’re in a hurry, you may just want to grab some “junk food” at a candy counter, or you may get a bite to eat at one of the many fast food chains, like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or Taco Bell. Or you can get a sandwich “to stay” or “to go” from a sandwich shop or deli. Some of these places have tables, but many don’t. People eat in their cars or take their food home, to their offices or parks.
If you prefer a relaxed sitting down but still don’t want to spend much, you can try a cafeteria. Here you pay at a cash register before you sit down, and you don’t have to tip anybody – but you usually have to clear the table when you finish!
Coffee shops are usually less expensive and less formal than fine restaurants. So are pizza places, pancake houses, sandwich shops and family restaurants.
Many restaurants don’t serve alcoholic drinks for people to feel comfortable and bring their children. You may be asked to show some ID that proves your age before you go into a bar. In some restaurants you can bring your own wine.
In the US people would rather wait for a table than to sit with people they don’t know. If you are sitting at a table with strangers, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without first asking if it will disturb them.
At American restaurants, cafes and coffee shops you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill.
Servings in restaurants are often large – too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. There may be a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows that you’re taking the food for yourself.
In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change. In some restaurants you can pay with a credit card, including the tip. Tips are not usually added to the check or included in the price of the meal. A tip of about 15% is expected, and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In less expensive restaurants, you pay your check at the cash register on your way out.