B2English

Sending Food Back & Complaints

Use these phrases to firmly but politely address mistakes with your food or order while dining out.

Key Phrases

Voice
Getting attention · 2 ways to say it

Excuse me, we have a slight problem here.

neutral

A direct but polite way to signal to the server that something is wrong.

I'm really sorry to bother you, but there seems to be an issue with our food.

polite
Reporting a wrong order · 2 ways to say it

I think there's been a mix-up; I actually asked for the salmon.

neutral

Hedging with 'I think' softens the complaint and avoids sounding aggressive.

I'm afraid this isn't quite what I ordered.

polite
Reporting undercooked food · 2 ways to say it

This chicken is still pretty pink in the middle.

casual

Using 'pretty' as an adverb here is a natural, informal way to mean 'quite'.

Excuse me, but I think this steak is severely undercooked.

neutral
Reporting cold food

My soup is actually stone cold.

casual

The idiom 'stone cold' is heavily used by native speakers to describe entirely unheated food.

Reporting a missing item

We're actually still waiting on that side of fries.

neutral

Saying you are 'waiting on' an item sounds much more natural than saying 'you forgot'.

Asking for a replacement · 2 ways to say it

Could you grab me a fresh one, please?

casual

Would it be possible to have this remade, please?

polite
Asking to reheat food

Do you mind just popping this back in the oven for a minute?

casual

A friendly, low-pressure way to ask the staff to heat something up.

Requesting a refund · 2 ways to say it

Could you just take this off the check, please?

neutral

US English — use this when you no longer want the item and don't want to pay for it.

Could you just take this off the bill, please?

neutral

UK English — use this when you no longer want the item and don't want to pay for it.

Asking for the manager · 2 ways to say it

Can I just speak to the manager about this, please?

neutral

I'd prefer to discuss this with the manager, if you don't mind.

polite

Practice Dialogue

Diner
Excuse me, we have a slight problem here.
Server
Oh no, what seems to be the issue?
Diner
Well, I think there's been a mix-up. I actually asked for the grilled chicken, but this is definitely steak.
Server
Oh, wow, you're right. I am so sorry about that. Let me take that back to the kitchen.
Diner
Thanks. And, you know, my soup is actually stone cold too.
Server
Right. I can just have them heat that up for you, or would you prefer a fresh bowl?
Diner
If it's not too much trouble, would it be possible to have a fresh one?
Server
Sure thing. I'll get those remade right away and let the manager know to adjust your check.
Diner
I mean, if you could just take the soup off the check entirely, that'd be fine. I've sort of lost my appetite.
Server
Of course, I completely understand. I'll take care of it right now.

More Eating & Drinking Out (B2)

← All English survival phrases