AEE 2477: Are There Free Refills? How to Ask for More Food and Drink in English

Summary

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All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2477

Title: Are There Free Refills? How to Ask for More Food and Drink in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: September 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode delves into everyday English vocabulary and cultural etiquette related to food portions, helpings, and refills—especially in settings like buffets and restaurants. Lindsay and Michelle explore essential expressions for asking for more food or drink in American English, as well as sharing personal and cultural insights on portion sizes in the US versus other countries. The engaging discussion includes nostalgic stories, practical language tips, and a fun role play, all tailored for intermediate to advanced ESL learners.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cultural Context and Sensitivity

• Acknowledgment of Food Scarcity: The hosts recognize at the start that while they are discussing food abundance and refills from an American perspective, they are aware that food insecurity exists globally.
  • Michelle: “We do recognize before we go any further in this episode, we recognize that food is scarce in different parts of the world and it is absolutely heartbreaking to us.” (01:31)

2. Buffets and Portion Sizes

• American Buffet Experiences: Both share stories about the temptation of returning for seconds at buffets, tying this to American dining culture.
  • Lindsay: “When I go to a buffet... it is tempting to go back for seconds, right? I have to admit, even I don't eat that much...” (03:09)
• Portion Sizes Abroad: Lindsay notes that living in Japan changed her perspective because the portions were much smaller but more satisfying.
  • Lindsay: “Portion sizes are much smaller. But the food is amazing and it's almost more satisfying. So you eat a lot less.” (05:27)

3. Vocabulary Focus: Talking about Quantity

• Portion:
  • Definition: The amount of food served to one person.
  • Example: “I asked for a small portion of the pasta. Too much hurts my stomach.” (04:45-04:59)
• Portion Control:
  • Meaning: Deliberately choosing to eat less, often for health reasons.
  • Lindsay: “People... might reduce the size of their portions. So shrink their portions.” (05:08)
• Helping:
  • Definition: Similar to portion, often used nostalgically or in family settings.
  • Michelle: “For some reason, it just feels nostalgic. I don't know how to explain that.” (06:15-06:48)
• Seconds:
  • Definition: Going back for a second serving.
  • Lindsay: “That also happens in college dining halls... one big four year buffet...” (07:09)

4. American Portion Culture

• Large Portions in the US: Both hosts reflect on how American portions, especially in neighborhood restaurants or sports bars, are much larger than elsewhere—and how that impacts eating habits.
  • Lindsay: “In general, if you go to, like, your average neighborhood bar and grill... the plate you’re going to get is definitely going to be bigger and like, I don’t know, I think unnecessarily large.” (09:13)
  • Michelle: “The fancier the restaurant, the smaller the portion usually is.” (08:42)

5. Food Nostalgia & Generational Change

• They share childhood memories around food, with a discussion of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and how attitudes and knowledge have shifted over generations.
  • Lindsay: “I have a theory that for our generation, Ultra Processed Foods UPFs are the ‘I didn’t know’...” (10:37)
• The hosts humorously reminisce about foods like Kraft macaroni and cheese and processed cheese snacks.

6. Asking for More: Refills

• Asking for Refills: Practical expressions to use in restaurants for drinks or even snacks like popcorn.

  • Michelle: “To get a refill, because this is specifically for liquids or something in a portion box. So like coffee. But also it could be a frozen yogurt in a cup. Popcorn at the movies...” (12:01)
  • Lindsay: “Are there free refills of the popcorn?...Some places will just have a popcorn popper there...unlimited popcorn.” (12:27)

• Free Refills Culture: Not all places in the US offer free refills; diners typically do, whereas upscale cafés or restaurants might not.

  • Lindsay: “If you go to a diner in the US, it’s usually, you know, that diner cup that, you know, the unlimited coffee, they’ll just come around and you want a refill, honey. Right?” (13:24–13:42)

7. Summary and Actionable Language Tips

• Useful expressions highlighted: “Can I have another helping?”, “Can I get a refill?”, “Going back for seconds”, “Portion control”.
• Encouragement to observe and practice these terms while connecting over food in real life.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On food nostalgia:
  • Michelle: “When I think of helping, I think of when my grandma used to make macaroni and cheese... it’s kind of a nice, warm memory.” (09:43–10:20)
• On cultural change:
  • Lindsay: “Some things we just don’t know until the research comes out. It’s really interesting.” (11:36)
• On free refills:
  • Lindsay: “You get a coffee at a fancier coffee bar—definitely not refills.” (13:43)
  • Michelle: “The other day I was at a restaurant and they had iced coffee and... just coming around like that... So we did ask... and their answer was, ‘we can do that for you.’” (13:51–14:20)

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Role Play Segment (12:54 – 13:22)

Setting: Hosts act out a scene at a buffet.

• Michelle: “Do you think they give free refills of coffee?” (13:01)
• Lindsay: “I would think so. Okay, I will definitely be getting another helping of the pancakes. Yum.” (13:01–13:08)
• Michelle: “I'm not great at portion control, so I will be going back for seconds too.” (13:08–13:14)
• Lindsay: “Sounds good to me. Oh, man, I love pancakes.” (13:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Acknowledgment of food scarcity and context: (01:31 – 01:52)
• Buffet discussion and vocabulary intro: (03:09 – 04:45)
• "Portion" and "portion control": (04:45 – 05:24)
• "Helping" and nostalgia: (06:15 – 06:48)
• Going back for "seconds": (06:56 – 07:09)
• Cultural comparison of portions: (08:21 – 09:43)
• Food nostalgia and generational change: (09:43 – 11:46)
• Refills (vocabulary and scenarios): (12:01 – 12:52)
• Buffet role play: (12:54 – 13:22)
• Discussion on how to ask about refills: (13:24 – 14:20)

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Takeaway for Learners

• The episode equips listeners with practical, real-life vocabulary and phrases to use when talking about getting more food or drink in English.
• Observing and embracing differences in dining culture is key to deeper interpersonal connections.
• Experiment with “helping”, “portion”, “seconds”, and “refill” next time you’re out eating or making conversation with Americans.

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Recommended Related Episode:

• AEE 2461: Leftovers, Culture, and Class

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Closing Encouragement:

• “These are really useful words if you're out at a restaurant, at a buffet, just talking to somebody, connecting over food. So give these a try.” – Michelle (15:14)

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[End of Summary]

Transcript

[A]

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2477. Are there free refills? How to ask for more food and Drink in English welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American hosts, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and Android. Start your 7 day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward slapp.

[B]

Today we talk about portion sizes and how to talk about getting more food at a buffet. Plus get cultural tips on dining culture in the US So before we get more into this episode, Lindsay, we did want to mention something because on this episode we are going to be talking about food and portions and the abundance of food. So Lindsay, what did we want to say about that?

[A]

Yeah, we just want to mention that we do recognize before we go any further in this episode, we recognize that food is scarce in different parts of the world and it is absolutely heartbreaking to us. We are speaking in this episode from our perspective, our experience here in the US but it breaks our heart to see scarcity of food around the world.

[B]

Yes, absolutely. All right, well, let's get into the episode. Isn't it frustrating when you can't express the nuances of your opinions, when you can't explain exactly what you mean, or when your English statements don't match the complexity of your thinking? We solve all of those problems in our C1 fluency course. It's live now and our Special offer ends September 14th. Go to allearsenglish.com c1 to save up to 100 off and practice your speaking with our live speaking events every single week. Plus get our brand new AI conversation guides. For unlimited speaking practice with feedback, go to allearsenglish.com letter C number one allearsenglish.com C1 See you there. Hello Lindsay.

[A]

How are you doing great today, Michelle. Excited to be recording. How's everything going on your end?

[B]

Everything is going well. Lindsay, when is the last time you went to a buffet?

[A]

Oh, I have not been to a buffet in quite a while, but when I go to a buffet I yeah, it is tempting to go back for seconds, right? I have to admit, you know, even I don't eat that much. Like my stomach's small. I guess I don't Know, but it's tempting to go back and you think, oh, that was so good, or there's so many great options up there. Let me just go see, see what else is there, right?

[B]

Yes, exactly.

[A]

What about you?

[B]

Do you do that? Yeah, well, I, I recently was at a wedding where there were a lot of buffet options. And then, yeah, so I'll go, I'll go check it out and see what I want. And then, yeah, if there's something I want, I'll go back for seconds for sure. Today we're going to talk about vocabulary, dealing with eating. So how much people eat. This is also very cultural. And speaking of culture, we recently did an episode about leftovers. That one was a really good one. We talked about an article. We went through a lot of things dealing with culture. So this is a really good one to check out. I'll give you that information towards the end of the episode so that you can listen to it.

[A]

So hang on to the end, guys, and hit follow while you're here, if you're listening in Apple or Spotify, you should be able to find the full follow button. Hit that follow button. Or of course, if you're in YouTube, this will be on YouTube. Hit subscribe.

[B]

Good. All right, so let's talk about some of these key words. So the first one is portion. So, Lindsay, what is a portion?

[A]

Yeah, A portion is how much food a person gets like on their plate. Right. So the amount of food. So for example, I asked for a small portion of the pasta to. Too much. Hurts my stomach.

[B]

Okay. Yes, yes. And this goes along with. There's that buzzword, portion control. Yes. What is portion control?

[A]

So it's the idea of people are maybe, maybe they're trying to reduce calories or something. They might, they might reduce the size of their portions. So shrink their portions. So for me, the best way to do this was to live in Japan.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Because I, I mean, maybe you noticed this when you traveled there, Michelle. I don't know if you did, but the portion sizes are much smaller. But the food is amazing and it's almost more satisfying. So you eat a lot less. You go out with a bunch of co workers or friends. You might share four or five dishes among 10 people, a small dishes, and that might be it. That's at least in my experience. But the food's satisfying, it's good and it's, it's okay. It's enough, you know?

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. So let's get to the next word. The next one is helping. And this one makes me think of My grandma, for some reason, because I think that she always used to say, oh, another helping. But my friend said it recently and that kind of inspired this episode because I hadn't heard that word in a while.

[A]

Yeah, it's kind of like a. I don't know, a nostalgic word or something. Yeah, yeah, I totally know what you're saying.

[B]

Yeah. And this is similar to portion, right? It's almost the same, but it's. It's really, it's more. It's specifically about what is being served to one person. It was so good. I got two helpings.

[A]

Yes, exactly. So that's just a personal choice. If you decide that you want to use that word, it's not like it's out of style. It's just. For some reason, it just feels nostalgic. I don't know how to explain that.

[B]

But yeah.

[A]

So then seconds. Going back for seconds. Also another way to say you're gonna get two portions or two helpings. Right?

[B]

Yeah. This is often at a buffet, right? Someone might get one plate and then go back for seconds. Or you could just ask like for. A kid might ask, oh, can I go back for seconds? Can I have seconds? Right?

[A]

Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely right. I want seconds. Yeah, that's how it's said, right? Seconds. This buffet is amazing. Did you try the desser? I'm going back for seconds. Yeah, that's true. And that also happens in college dorm, college dining halls, but usually, at least in my experience, like, the food was not that great, but it was just a one big four year buffet, you know, Y. And so that's why they talk about the freshman 15.

[B]

The freshman 15. Yes. And freshman year of college, you tend to put on some weight because you're not thinking about what you're eating.

[A]

Oh, man, so funny. Great. So we'll take a quick break, Michelle, and then we'll be right back.

[C]

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[A]

Okay, so other ways to say this. In American culture, we are a culture of large portions. I'm gonna say in the US it's really the largest portions that I've seen. Maybe that's starting to change as prices are going up in restaurants and things. But what do you think? What are your thoughts?

[B]

I think that. I think that the fancier the restaurant, they're. They're sometimes known for the smaller portions. So it's. It's kind of interesting. If you go out and it's a place that you may be like a sports bar, you might get a burger and just a ton of fries, and it's just this huge portion. If you go to a fancy restaurant, they might be a little bit smaller. And some people don't like that. They feel, oh, they want to have, you know, they want to pay for the most food. But it's kind of a quality, quantity, quality.

[A]

Yeah, it really is. I. That's been my experience, too. But in general, if you go to, like your average neighborhood bar and grill. Right. The equivalent of that would be maybe like a Rosserie in Paris or something. I think the plate you're going to get is definitely going to be bigger and like, I don't know, I think unnecessarily large. But in the US Compared to globally, it's just crazy. Yes. We don't need such a big helping.

[B]

Right, right, right. When I think of helping, I think of when my grandma used to make macaroni and cheese. She made it with the little elbow macaroni. Oh. And she put the slices of cheese in there. And I remember, I have the nostalgia of her adding the milk and mixing it up. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

She actually put slices of cheese. I feel like most people grew up on Kraft Mac and cheese. The box, the powdery stuff, which is probably not food at all. I don't know what it is, but no.

[B]

Oh, my. It's funny the things that I ate as a child that now I'm thinking, I do not want to give that to my kids. But we knew. We didn't know as much back then.

[A]

We didn't know.

[B]

Yeah. And now it. It. So no, I did also have the boxed macaroni. It's not that I didn't have that, but my grandma specifically would always make it. And I remember, like, ripping the cheese with her and throwing it in. It's kind of a nice, warm memory. Yeah, I love that there.

[A]

I mean, our listeners are going to relate to this. There are so many memories that happen around food. And just on a different note, what you said, we didn't know. I have a theory that for our generation, Ultra Processed Foods UPFs are the. I didn't know in our generation. And for like, for my mom's generation, baby boomers, the smoking Was. I didn't know because my mom used to smoke in the 70s. We. They really didn't have the research out yet, or at least it wasn't available. And she quit when she found out that it was so dangerous. And I think UPFs are that for our generation. Like the amount of UPFs that I consumed as a child.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because we didn't know yet.

[B]

The little.

[A]

The little cheese things with those red sticks that you would put on the crackers. Do you remember those?

[B]

Oh, cheese and crackers.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Amazing. Yeah, I know. What is that? Was that even real cheese?

[A]

It's all delicious, but I don't think it's any of its real food, you know?

[B]

No, right. Yeah. Yeah, that's all. This is a whole other topic we could talk about for a really long time. Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[A]

But anyways, we'll go into it another day. It's just interesting to think about, like, research comes out and generational change happens and some things we just don't know until the research comes out. It's really interesting.

[B]

Yeah. Well, I'm afraid of. I'm afraid of what they'll find out about cell phones, of course.

[A]

Oh, cell phones, microwaves.

[B]

Yeah. So many things. And the plastics and the. Everything. It feels like you can't do anything right. I know.

[A]

We should just do a role play and not think about it. Michelle.

[B]

All right. But I do have one that I want to add, which is to get a refill, because this is specifically for liquids or something in a portion box. So like coffee. But also it could be a frozen yogurt in a cup. Popcorn at the movies. And it could also be used as a verb to, you know, to refill something. So like I asked the. Wait. Just to refill my coffee cup.

[A]

Yeah, for sure. Yes. Or are there free refills of the popcorn? So you want to ask that Some places will just have a popcorn popper there. Yeah. There's a. A mixed drinks bar that I like to go to in Salida, and they have this nice big popcorn thing. So you can have unlimited popcorn.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

While you drink your cocktails. It's the best.

[B]

Yeah. I love. I love popcorn.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

All right, so now let's do a role play.

[A]

All right. So here we're at a buffet. All right. Yes.

[B]

Okay. Here we go. Do you think they give free refills of coffee?

[A]

I would think so. Okay. I will definitely be getting another helping of the pancakes. Yum.

[B]

So good. I'm not great at portion control, so I will be going back for seconds too.

[A]

Sounds good to me. Oh, man, I love pancakes. Oh, so good. This episode's making me hungry.

[B]

Yes, me too.

[A]

All right, Michelle, so first you said, do you think they give free refills of coffee? And by the way, mo many places. Wow. You do have to ask. Nowadays, if you go to a diner in the US it's usually, you know, that diner cup that, you know, the unlimited coffee, they'll just come around and you want to refill. You want to refill, honey. Right. With the.

[B]

Yep, yep.

[A]

Typical accent, diner accent. But not everywhere. Right. You get a coffee at a fancier coffee bar is definitely not refills.

[B]

Right, Right. Or yeah, sometimes you just don't know. So you want to ask. The other day, I was at a restaurant and they had iced coffee and. And they just were pouring it, you know, like regular coffee, just coming around like that. And so we did ask, and then their answer was, we can do that for you. And like we said, they're free refills. And we're like, we can do that for you. And then you're like, wait, what? Okay, so. Yeah, because I never think if you're not sure. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I only think of free refills with coffee as hot coffee. I never think about it with iced coffee.

[B]

But that's why we asked. But they did it. So cool.

[A]

All right, then what did you say, Michelle?

[B]

So I said, do you think they give free refills of coffee?

[A]

Nice. And then I said, I will definitely be getting another helping. And that's that one that reminds you of your grandmother, right? Helping of the pancakes. Yes, yes.

[B]

And then I said, I'm not great at portion control, so I will definitely. I will be going back for seconds too.

[A]

Nice. Very typical conversation. Right? Because we're always kind of different kinds of restaurants the amount of food we want. I love this conversation. And there's another one episode related to it. Michelle, what is it?

[B]

This is the one I was mentioning, guys, earlier in the episode. This was episode 2461. That was leftovers, culture, and class.

[A]

All right, where should we leave our listeners today?

[B]

All right, guys. Well, yeah, these are really useful words if you're out at a restaurant at a buffet, just talking to somebody, connecting over food. So give these, give these a try. And always interesting to observe culturally as well.

[A]

All right, great stuff today, Michelle. Guys, don't forget to hit the follow button or, of course, subscribe if you're on YouTube. We are getting close to 300, 000 subscribers, so help us get there. Let's celebrate together. Let's get there. Hit subscribe. All right. Great.

[B]

Right.

[A]

All right, Michelle, we'll talk to you very soon. Have a good day.

[B]

All right. Bye. You too.

[A]

Bye. Thanks for listening to all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore and if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

[D]

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[E]

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[B]

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[E]

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[A]

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[B]

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