How to Read the Menu Like a Pro

Written By Vorden Initiative .

It’s summer. You and your blind bestie are headed for smoothies (because obviously — is it even summer if you don’t have an overpriced smoothie in hand?).

You get to the counter, the menu’s up on the wall, and your friend says: “Hey, can you read me the menu?”

Now pause: don’t just launch into reading every single word on the menu from top to bottom. That’s a fast track to overwhelm — it’s like trying to shop from an audiobook.

Here’s your game plan instead: Break it down — start broad, then get more specific according to your blind bestie’s food preference:

1) Big picture — Start here. What kind of place is this? What’s the overall menu vibe?
Example: “They’ve got smoothies, juices, protein shakes, and sandwiches.”

2) Section titles — Next: What types of things are on offer?
Example: “Under smoothies, there’s: Classic Smoothies, Green Smoothies, and Specialty Smoothies.”

3) Item names — What are the actual choices?
Example: “In Classic Smoothies: Strawberry Banana, Mango Tango, Pineapple Express.”

4) Details (ingredients) — Only if your friend asks!
Example: “Mango Tango has mango, pineapple, acai, oat milk, and whey protein.”

This way, your friend can steer the conversation and ask for what they need, instead of trying to mentally store 47 smoothie combinations all at once.

✅ Good example:

Blind Bestie: “Can you read me the menu?“
Sighted Ally: “Yes! Looks like they’ve got smoothies, juices, and sandwiches.”
Blind Bestie: “Ooo, tell me the smoothie options!”
Sighted Ally: “Tropical Acai Summer, Banana Bliss, Chunky Monkey.”
Blind Bestie: “What’s in the Tropical Acai Summer?”
Sighted Ally: “Pineapple, mango, acai…”

🛑 Bad Example:
Blind Bestie: “Can you read me the menu?”
Sighted Ally: “Sure! There’s the Tropical Acai Summer which has pineapple, mango, acai, oat milk, and whey protein. Then the Banana Bliss smoothie which  has bananas, peanut butter, oat milk… (proceeds to read the ENTIRE menu for 12 minutes while your blind bestie contemplates faking a phone call).”

TL;DR: More isn’t always better. Start broad → say the item names → read details if asked. You’ll save everyone time, help your bestie actually pick what they want, and keep the smoothie line moving. 🥤✨

Vorden Initiative .