What is the proper form of this request?

Question

If you wanted to order a Hamburger consisting of just a bun, patty, and slice of cheese which of the following is the correct use of the language? Please state your source or explain the language protocol etc.

May I have a burger plain with cheese? (This seems incorrect to me because if it's plain it could not have cheese.)

May I have a burger with cheese only? (this seems proper to me as it explains itself.)

The second example is how I order but have been told even argued with that this is definately wrong. Please give me an answer with a verifiable explanation. Thank You

Please do not answer by saying why not just order a cheeseburger, almost every restraunt in the US puts a load of condiments on the burger unless you just order it plane. Please take the time to read my question and answer appropriately.

Please do not answer by saying why not just order a cheeseburger, almost every restraunt in the US puts a load of condiments on the burger unless you just order it plane. Please take the time to read my question and answer appropriately.

Answer 1

Your second example is perfectly correct as it explains exactly what you want. Furthermore, it is a very polite way of ordering. I really see no reason why people argue with you that this is wrong.

Answer 2

The proper form would be to order a cheeseburger, plain. May I (subject) have (verb) a cheeseburger (object), plain (adjective). Nice little sentence. The link below also shows how the nutrition information is gathered, and it uses the same nomenclature.

One more note of restaurant jargon. When I worked in the industry, a waitress or counter person would say "dry". That told us cooks everything we needed to know. They want meat and a bun...

Answer 3

A hamburger comes with ketchup, sometimes mustard and onions.

A cheeseburger comes with all of the above adding cheese. I would have to say that when asking for a cheeseburger with nothing on it you would say: "may I have a cheeseburger with no mustard, ketchup or onions?" I like to say everything because people usually get my order wrong. I don't like ketchup or onions or mayonnaise so I make sure all items are asked to be removed just in case. They usually will mess up the order anyway probably because they hate picky eaters. THATS ME!!!

Answer 4

How about simply saying," I would like a cheeseburger with no condiments on it. I think the message is clear either way. I don't believe there is a rule in the book of etiquette on chess burgers anyway.

Answer 5

honestly... you could order a plain cheesburger.
cheeseburger is considered it's own item... the cheese is not really a topping for the burger anymore.... it's kind of evolved into it's own thing.....
You're using cheese as an adjective describing the burger....
I'm saying that we usually use it as a compound noun.... cheeseburger.
But I would say.... "may I have a cheeseburger with nothing else on it".... they will infer that you mean with a bun.....but without catsup, lettuce...etc.

Answer 6

Plain is an adjective used to describe the burger so you would say 'plain burger' rather than 'burger plain'. Of course you could say " may I have a burger. Plain, with cheese." However if that's what you want it's important to convey to the vendor what you actually want. I would say:-

"Can I have a plain burger please, with no relish or sauce, but with just a slice of cheese?"

Answer 7

Just a plain Cheeseburger, nothing on it. That's the only way I ask. They always get it right.

Answer 8

The second one sounds much better. Or you could say may I have a plain cheeseburger.

Answer 9

I took a poll at work and we all have come to the conclusion that you should ask for

A plain cheeseburger
you would then get bun ,meat and cheese , nothing else.

hope this helps

Answer 10

It's better to say plain cheeseburger.