10.3: Cultural and Language Notes - Ordering At Restaurant

In Latin America they tend to eat most meals at different times than in Europe and the US. Breakfast (“desayuno”) is usually between 7:00 – 9:00 a.m., the same as non-Latin American cultures. Lunch (“comida”) usually gets eaten between 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is usually the biggest meal of the day. Dinner (“cena”) is later and usually a small meal that they eat between 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tips in Latin America tend to be lower than the US. In fancy restaurants, an average tip is 10% of the total costs. If you buy food from more casual restaurants or in the market, then tip is not expected but appreciated.
One thing that most people find unusual when they visit Latin America is the time the food is served. Food is served as soon as it is ready, so if you are at a table with different orders, don’t be surprised if some people’s order comes up 10 minutes before yours.
“Enchilada de mole” is a typical Mexican dish that includes chicken (“pollo”) or cheese (“queso”) wrapped in tortilla and covered in “Mole”. Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce made from chile and chocolate.
“Sopa Azteca” translates to “Soup of the Aztecs”. It is made with chicken, tomatoes, tortillas and chiles. Normally it is not spicy.
“La cuenta” means “the bill”. To ask for the bill in a restaurant you can simply say “la cuenta, por favor”. If the waiter is not near enough to hear you, you can also ask for the bill by making the hand motion of writing with a pen in the air.