The video “Taking Entree Orders” by Real Server Training shows you how to provide great customer service while being efficient. By taking entree orders right after appetizers are delivered, you can minimize trips to the tables and let guests eat uninterrupted.
For Servers
- Deliver appetizers and take entree orders together
- Flow from placing starters to taking main courses
- Let guests eat apps without interruption before focused order-taking
- Be efficient but warm and caring when interacting with guests
The guide shows you how to flow from dropping off apps to taking orders in one continuous sequence.
Table of Contents
Step-by-Step Order Taking
Here’s the process:
- Deliver apps
- Ask if the table is ready to order or has menu questions
- Take entree orders from each guest at the table
- Repeat orders back
- Enter orders into the POS
- Clear apps as needed
- Pick up menus
This does several things:
- Gets orders in fast after apps to prevent service delay
- Confirms order before leaving the table
- Clears the table of extra items like menus
- Let’s guests eat uninterrupted
Breaking It Down: Simplifying Table Service
As a server, efficiency is key. You always want to minimize trips to the table to provide great service fast.
This way you can take care of more guests and let diners enjoy their meal without feeling rushed. When delivering apps, taking entree orders at the same time achieves both.
Smart servers prep their mental systems ahead of time to group smaller tasks together to create micro-breaks between steps. These smooth transitions show poise in the chaos of restaurant work and let guests know they are in good hands.
Delivering the Apps
You want to deliver apps to your own tables if possible. This way you can check-in with them personally, build rapport and take the next step in their dining experience.
As you approach with the apps, you check the table, make eye contact and say hello. After you put the plates down, you flow into taking entree orders while the apps are still hot and untouched.
Combining Steps
Taking entree orders after apps lets guest eat their apps without interruption soon after. If you come back 2 minutes later to ask about entrees, guests may have already started eating and will have to stop and put their plates down.
This feels disruptive and inconvenient versus letting them settle in with apps first. By combining, you let them eat apps and then main courses in one go.
Order Taking
With apps delivered, you stand up, make eye contact and ask if guests have any questions before you take orders. This opens the floor for them to ask and lets them know you are ready to move forward.
As they give you their entree choices, you write each order down neatly and repeat it back for confirmation. Instead of collecting all the menus at once, you let them know you’ll pick up the menus together afterwards so you can focus on writing down the orders without juggling too many things. This way you can fully listen and get all the orders right.
Service Continues
With orders done, you give a quick confirm, pick up the menus and let guests know their entrees will be out soon. This wraps up order taking so they can continue to chat and eat without any more interruptions from you.
As you walk away, you take a second to review the orders, enter them into the POS system, and then move on. This streamlined process lets you provide great service and maximize efficiency so you can take care of more guests in your section.
Conclusion
So, the bottom line is combine tasks whenever you can to provide better service to your guests. Delivering apps right before taking entree orders allows you to kill two birds with one stone and not interrupt guests once they have food in front of them.
It’s a small detail but it’s all about the flow of the meal. And providing great service is what gets those big tips!
Was this helpful? Got any order taking tips to share? Comment below. 👇
