Also called: diner cook
What a short order cook does
A short order cook works a compact station and juggles many orders at once. You cook eggs, bacon, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, and fries to order, often in the same ten minutes, and you keep every ticket straight in your head. The job is about speed, memory, and flexibility rather than complex technique. In a small diner you may also take on prep, dishwashing, and cleaning, which makes this a great way to learn all parts of a kitchen quickly.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $17.25/hr for short order cooks, and $19.04/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Cook eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, and sides to order on the flat top, grill, and fryer
- Read tickets and keep track of many orders cooking at the same time
- Assemble and plate dishes quickly and accurately
- Prep ingredients such as potatoes, vegetables, and sauces
- Season and cook items to the correct temperatures
- Keep the cooking surface and nearby area clean and free of grease buildup
- Restock food items and supplies throughout the shift
- Communicate with servers and counter staff about order status and substitutions
- Follow food safety rules for handwashing, temperature control, and storage
- Help with opening and closing tasks, including cleaning and basic prep
Requirements
- Prior cooking experience in a diner or fast-paced kitchen is preferred
- Ability to handle many orders at once without losing track
- Stamina to stand and work in a hot kitchen for a full shift
- Food handler card or ServSafe Food Handler certification is often required
- Basic math and reading skills for ticket reading
- Availability for early mornings, weekends, and holidays
Skills
- Multitasking on a flat top and grill
- Memory and ticket tracking
- Quick, accurate plating
- Egg cookery to order
- Burger and sandwich assembly
- Cleaning a griddle during service
- Staying friendly with servers under pressure
Schedule
Short order cooks typically work breakfast and lunch shifts that start early, though some diners run overnight or late-night hours.
Short Order Cook job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Short Order Cook - [Restaurant Name], [City] [Restaurant Name] in [City] is hiring a Short Order Cook to join our team. We are a busy [diner/cafe/counter] known for fast, friendly service and good food at a fair price. What you will do: - Cook eggs, burgers, sandwiches, and sides to order - Keep up with many tickets at the same time - Prep ingredients and restock your station - Keep the flat top, grill, and fryer clean and safe - Communicate with servers and counter staff What we are looking for: - Some kitchen experience preferred, but we will train a fast learner - A good memory and a calm head in a rush - Food handler certification (or willingness to get it) - Availability for [Shift], including weekends What we offer: - [$XX-$XX/hr] plus [tips/tip share if applicable] - Meals on shift - [Benefits, e.g. paid time off, consistent hours] - A friendly team and steady schedule Apply at [email] or stop by [Address].
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