Using “il y aura” when ordering food

[u/thesfb123]

I’ve heard “il y aura” used on a couple YT videos when ordering at restaurants, wondering if that’s actually used in interactions of that type? When I was in Paris the last couple times I tried it and servers didn’t seem to react. Example being “et pour ma femme il y aura <menu item> svp”.

Thanks !

[u/PerformerNo9031]

Usually I stick with "je vais prendre... ", "on prendra aussi...", "pour ma copine ce sera..."

[u/thesfb123 → u/PerformerNo9031]

Of course, same. I wouldn’t ever start an order with “il y aura”, but when I heard it used it was like a connecting phrase after an initial proper, typical request.

[u/Neveed]

It's the same as saying "there will be" in English. It's not a standard way of ordering things, but it doesn't sound weird and the logic behind it (there will be X in my order) is obvious enough so it works.

[u/cestdoncperdu → u/Neveed]

It's the same as saying "there will be" in English.

That would be a very strange way to order something in English.

[u/Neveed → u/cestdoncperdu]

It's not a standard way to order in English or in French, it's not an idiomatic expression, it's a literal phrase implying something (there will be this in my order). As I said, it does work because it's literal and the logic behind it is obvious so it probably doesn't sound that weird in context.

So I think the comparison with English is accurate here, because the result seems to be the same.

[u/cestdoncperdu → u/Neveed]

I think if you tried to use "there will be [x]" to order something in English you would have to repeat yourself several times and eventually the server would just pattern-match the item you said and clarify, "Do you want to order [x]?" I'm not sure they would ever actually parse the phrase itself.

I don't have an intuition for whether or not that's the same in French, but I think in English it's so bizarre that you would not be understood.

[u/thesfb123 → u/Neveed]

Thanks - makes sense. Incidentally, I didn’t hear it used as an “opening statement” ordering phrase, and when I tried it I didn’t use it that way either. I’ve heard it as more of a “connection” to an initial “je prends…”, etc. Like a continuation of a list.

[u/befree46 → u/thesfb123]

yeah, it lets you switch up the sentence instead of everyone just using "je vais prendre"

but i think i would only use it to order something meant for the whole table (or at least multiple people), like a bottle of wine

[u/Crossed_Cross]

Sounds weird to me. Might be a Paris thing.

[u/OhHelloThereAreYouOk]

Pour moi, ça sonne un peu malpoli.

[u/thesfb123 → u/OhHelloThereAreYouOk]

Je comprends cela.

[u/ROARfeo]

Waiters sometimes use "il y aura" when asking a client about their choice.

For example, a waiter arriving at the table "Bonjour, qu'est-ce qu'il y aura pour ces messieurs dames?".

Or in the middle of a table ordering, the waiter turns to a specific person: "Et il y aura quoi pour Madame ?"

Clients most often just say "je vais prendre/il va prendre". But it's perfectly fine for a client to use this expression to order for yourself (less common) or someone else (more common, natural).

It's a bit "old fashioned", but not at all outdated nor corny. For waiters, it's a polite, indirect way of addressing your clientele.

Anecdotally, I mostly associate this expression with efficient bistro waiters who barely give you a look, but provide fast unobtrusive service (which I prefer).

[u/thesfb123 → u/ROARfeo]

Thanks - all of this mirrors my (limited) experience when ordering. I don’t think I would ever start an order with “il y aura”, but more as a internal connecting phrase as you describe w/the server example. I tried using it when ordering for my both my wife and myself, or when rolling through what items we each wanted for a petit dej foumule. This is the scenario in which I saw/heard it used in a couple YouTube videos…seems like using it as the basic ordering phrase would be out of order.

[u/ROARfeo → u/thesfb123]

Ah yes it's an astute observation. I didn't really expand on the full context. As a client it's ok to use it as a direct answer to your waiter. Not really unprompted.

"Qu'est-ce que je vous sers?"

"(Pour nous) y'aura deux cafés courts et un long" would be a very casual and natural answer.

You'd usually just pronounce "y'aura" in practice.

[u/No_Club_8480]

« Il y aura » sonne bizzare. J’utiliserais « j’aimerais qqch s’il vous plaît » quand je commande de la nourriture au restaurant.

[u/thesfb123 → u/No_Club_8480]

Bien sûr, moi aussi. Je ne l’utiliserai jamais <il y aura> pour passer une commande.

[u/Doraellen]

Hmmm you all are making me second guess my frequent use of "Je prendrais" when ordering in cafes and restaurants. Is futur prochaine more common?