diff --git a/CONTEXT.md b/CONTEXT.md
index 712cd7a..4809491 100644
--- a/CONTEXT.md
+++ b/CONTEXT.md
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ One stage of preparing an Order Item, requiring a Machine carrying a specific Ma
 _Avoid_: Stage (use Step consistently)
 
 **Delay**:
-Extra time a Machine reports on top of a claimed Preparation Step's estimated duration. Delays add to the Order Item's time to completion and are shown to the customer as the item running late.
+Extra time a Machine reports on top of a claimed Preparation Step's estimated duration. Delays add to the Order Item's time to completion; the customer only sees the updated time, never a delay notice.
 
 **Machine**:
 A physical cooking hardware unit at a Kitchen (e.g. an oven, a grill), carrying one or more Machine Tags. A Kitchen may have multiple Machines carrying the same Tag, working in parallel.
diff --git a/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.module.scss b/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47e5531
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+@use '../../styles/variables' as *;
+
+.eta {
+  margin: 0 0 $space-2;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  color: $color-success;
+}
+
+.value {
+  position: relative;
+  display: inline-flex;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  vertical-align: bottom;
+}
+
+.valueText {
+  display: inline-block;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
diff --git a/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.tsx b/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bb6a435
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/orders/EtaMessage.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import { AnimatePresence, motion, useReducedMotion } from 'framer-motion'
+
+import { formatEtaParts } from '#/lib/format.ts'
+
+import styles from './EtaMessage.module.scss'
+
+export const EtaMessage = ({ etaSeconds }: { etaSeconds: number }) => {
+  const reduceMotion = useReducedMotion()
+  const { prefix, value } = formatEtaParts(etaSeconds)
+
+  return (
+    <p className={styles.eta}>
+      {prefix}{' '}
+      <span className={styles.value}>
+        <AnimatePresence initial={false} mode="popLayout">
+          <motion.span
+            key={value}
+            className={styles.valueText}
+            initial={reduceMotion ? false : { y: '100%', opacity: 0 }}
+            animate={{ y: 0, opacity: 1 }}
+            exit={reduceMotion ? { opacity: 0 } : { y: '-100%', opacity: 0 }}
+            transition={{ duration: reduceMotion ? 0 : 0.35, ease: 'easeOut' }}
+          >
+            {value}
+          </motion.span>
+        </AnimatePresence>
+      </span>
+    </p>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.module.scss b/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.module.scss
index 872bd80..047cd29 100644
--- a/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.module.scss
+++ b/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.module.scss
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@
   &[data-variant='cancelled'] {
     color: $color-danger;
   }
-
-  &[data-variant='delayed'] {
-    color: $color-warning;
-  }
 }
 
 .icon {
diff --git a/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.tsx b/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.tsx
index 0f42fe1..9f6e8ac 100644
--- a/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.tsx
+++ b/src/components/orders/ItemStatusBanner.tsx
@@ -2,14 +2,12 @@ import { motion, useReducedMotion } from 'framer-motion'
 
 import styles from './ItemStatusBanner.module.scss'
 
-export type ItemStatusBannerVariant =
-  'ready' | 'pickedUp' | 'cancelled' | 'delayed'
+export type ItemStatusBannerVariant = 'ready' | 'pickedUp' | 'cancelled'
 
 const iconPaths = {
   ready: ['M7.5 12.5l3 3 6-6.5'],
   pickedUp: ['M7.5 12.5l3 3 6-6.5'],
   cancelled: ['M8.5 8.5l7 7', 'M15.5 8.5l-7 7'],
-  delayed: ['M12 7v5', 'M12 12l3.5 2'],
 } satisfies Record<ItemStatusBannerVariant, Array<string>>
 
 type ItemStatusBannerProps = {
diff --git a/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.module.scss b/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.module.scss
index 4cb434d..f74a5ef 100644
--- a/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.module.scss
+++ b/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.module.scss
@@ -1,13 +1,5 @@
 @use '../../styles/variables' as *;
 
-@position-try --cancel-hint-flip {
-  position-area: bottom;
-  --hint-arrow-top: auto;
-  --hint-arrow-bottom: 100%;
-  --hint-arrow-color-top: transparent;
-  --hint-arrow-color-bottom: #{$color-text};
-}
-
 .page {
   max-width: 720px;
   margin: 0 auto;
@@ -277,12 +269,6 @@
   opacity: 0.6;
 }
 
-.eta {
-  margin: 0 0 $space-2;
-  font-size: 0.9rem;
-  color: $color-success;
-}
-
 .actions {
   display: flex;
   flex-wrap: wrap;
@@ -291,7 +277,10 @@
 
   button,
   a {
-    padding: $space-1 $space-3;
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: $space-1;
+    padding: $space-2 $space-4;
     border: 1px solid $color-border;
     border-radius: $radius;
     background: $color-background;
@@ -310,66 +299,12 @@
     }
   }
 
-  .infoButton {
-    display: inline-flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    flex-shrink: 0;
-    gap: $space-1;
-    padding: $space-1 $space-2;
-    color: $color-text-muted;
-    font-size: 0.85rem;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-
-    &:hover:not(:disabled) {
-      color: $color-primary;
-      border-color: $color-primary;
-    }
-  }
-
-  .infoIcon {
+  .actionIcon {
     width: 1rem;
     height: 1rem;
     flex-shrink: 0;
   }
 
-  .cancelHint {
-    position: fixed;
-    position-area: top;
-    position-try-fallbacks: --cancel-hint-flip;
-    inset: auto;
-    overflow: visible;
-    height: auto;
-    margin: $space-2;
-    padding: $space-2 $space-3;
-    width: max-content;
-    max-width: 260px;
-    border: none;
-    border-radius: $radius;
-    background: $color-text;
-    color: $color-background;
-    font-size: 0.8rem;
-    line-height: 1.4;
-    text-align: left;
-    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
-
-    --hint-arrow-top: 100%;
-    --hint-arrow-bottom: auto;
-    --hint-arrow-color-top: #{$color-text};
-    --hint-arrow-color-bottom: transparent;
-
-    &::after {
-      content: '';
-      position: absolute;
-      left: 50%;
-      top: var(--hint-arrow-top);
-      bottom: var(--hint-arrow-bottom);
-      transform: translateX(-50%);
-      border: 6px solid transparent;
-      border-top-color: var(--hint-arrow-color-top);
-      border-bottom-color: var(--hint-arrow-color-bottom);
-    }
-  }
-
   .cancelButton {
     padding: $space-1 $space-2;
     border: none;
diff --git a/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.tsx b/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.tsx
index 53f9a7f..281ff27 100644
--- a/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.tsx
+++ b/src/components/orders/OrderStatusView.tsx
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import { useState } from 'react'
 
 import type { OrderStatus } from '#/db/schema.ts'
 import type { OrderItemStatusView } from '#/domain/ordering.ts'
-import { formatDuration, formatEtaMessage } from '#/lib/format.ts'
 import {
   advanceSimulatedKitchen,
   cancelOrderItem,
@@ -13,6 +12,7 @@ import {
 } from '#/server/orders.ts'
 
 import styles from './OrderStatusView.module.scss'
+import { EtaMessage } from './EtaMessage.tsx'
 import { ItemStatusBanner } from './ItemStatusBanner.tsx'
 
 const sleep = (ms: number) => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, ms))
@@ -55,14 +55,6 @@ const getItemBanner = (item: OrderItemStatusView) => {
           detail: "You've been refunded for this item.",
         } as const)
   }
-  if (item.delaySeconds > 0) {
-    return {
-      animationKey: 'delayed',
-      variant: 'delayed',
-      label: 'Running late',
-      detail: `About ${formatDuration(item.delaySeconds)} behind schedule`,
-    } as const
-  }
   return null
 }
 
@@ -71,20 +63,6 @@ const bannerKey = (item: OrderItemStatusView) => {
   return banner ? `${item.id}:${banner.animationKey}` : null
 }
 
-const cancelBlockedReason = (item: OrderItemStatusView) => {
-  if (
-    item.cancellable ||
-    item.status === 'cancelled' ||
-    item.status === 'picked_up'
-  ) {
-    return null
-  }
-  if (item.status === 'ready') {
-    return "This item is already done cooking, so it's too late to cancel. If something's wrong with it, use Get help below."
-  }
-  return "This item has already started cooking, so the kitchen can't stop or undo it. If something's wrong, use Get help below."
-}
-
 const BackArrowIcon = () => (
   <svg
     className={styles.backArrow}
@@ -101,9 +79,24 @@ const BackArrowIcon = () => (
   </svg>
 )
 
-const InfoIcon = () => (
+const actionIconPaths = {
+  buyAgain: ['M3 12a9 9 0 1 0 9-9 9.75 9.75 0 0 0-6.74 2.74L3 8', 'M3 3v5h5'],
+  pickedUp: [
+    'M6 2 3 6v14a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h14a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V6l-3-4Z',
+    'M3 6h18',
+    'M16 10a4 4 0 0 1-8 0',
+  ],
+  help: [
+    'M12 22a10 10 0 1 0 0-20 10 10 0 0 0 0 20Z',
+    'M9.09 9a3 3 0 0 1 5.83 1c0 2-3 3-3 3',
+    'M12 17h.01',
+  ],
+  cancel: ['M18 6 6 18', 'M6 6l12 12'],
+}
+
+const ActionIcon = ({ name }: { name: keyof typeof actionIconPaths }) => (
   <svg
-    className={styles.infoIcon}
+    className={styles.actionIcon}
     viewBox="0 0 24 24"
     fill="none"
     stroke="currentColor"
@@ -112,9 +105,9 @@ const InfoIcon = () => (
     strokeLinejoin="round"
     aria-hidden="true"
   >
-    <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="9" />
-    <line x1="12" y1="11" x2="12" y2="16" />
-    <line x1="12" y1="8" x2="12.01" y2="8" />
+    {actionIconPaths[name].map((d) => (
+      <path key={d} d={d} />
+    ))}
   </svg>
 )
 
@@ -262,7 +255,6 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
       {error && <p className={styles.error}>{error}</p>}
       <ul className={styles.items}>
         {status.items.map((item) => {
-          const cancelHint = cancelBlockedReason(item)
           const banner = getItemBanner(item)
           return (
             <li key={item.id} className={styles.item}>
@@ -340,17 +332,13 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
                       aria-controls={`steps-${item.id}`}
                       onClick={() => toggleSteps(item.id)}
                     >
-                      {expandedItemIds.has(item.id)
-                        ? 'Hide steps'
-                        : 'Show steps'}
+                      {expandedItemIds.has(item.id) ? 'Hide' : 'Steps'}
                     </button>
                   )}
                 </div>
               )}
               {item.etaSeconds !== null && (
-                <p className={styles.eta}>
-                  {formatEtaMessage(item.etaSeconds)}
-                </p>
+                <EtaMessage etaSeconds={item.etaSeconds} />
               )}
               <div className={styles.actions}>
                 <button
@@ -360,6 +348,7 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
                     //
                   }}
                 >
+                  <ActionIcon name="buyAgain" />
                   Buy again
                 </button>
 
@@ -375,7 +364,7 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
                       )
                     }
                   >
-                    I picked this up
+                    <ActionIcon name="pickedUp" />I picked this up
                   </button>
                 )}
                 <Link
@@ -386,32 +375,9 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
                     status: item.status,
                   }}
                 >
+                  <ActionIcon name="help" />
                   Get help
                 </Link>
-                {cancelHint && (
-                  <>
-                    <button
-                      type="button"
-                      className={styles.infoButton}
-                      popoverTarget={`cancel-hint-${item.id}`}
-                      style={{ anchorName: `--cancel-hint-anchor-${item.id}` }}
-                    >
-                      <InfoIcon />
-                      Why can't I cancel?
-                    </button>
-                    <p
-                      id={`cancel-hint-${item.id}`}
-                      popover="auto"
-                      role="tooltip"
-                      className={styles.cancelHint}
-                      style={{
-                        positionAnchor: `--cancel-hint-anchor-${item.id}`,
-                      }}
-                    >
-                      {cancelHint}
-                    </p>
-                  </>
-                )}
                 {item.cancellable && (
                   <button
                     type="button"
@@ -425,6 +391,7 @@ export const OrderStatusView = ({
                       )
                     }
                   >
+                    <ActionIcon name="cancel" />
                     Cancel
                   </button>
                 )}
diff --git a/src/domain/ordering.ts b/src/domain/ordering.ts
index 317430a..3df6191 100644
--- a/src/domain/ordering.ts
+++ b/src/domain/ordering.ts
@@ -789,8 +789,6 @@ export type OrderItemStatusView = {
   menuItemName: string
   status: schema.OrderItemStatus
   cancelledBy: schema.OrderItemCancelledBy | null
-  // Total delay reported across the item's Steps so far.
-  delaySeconds: number
   cancellable: boolean
   steps: Array<{
     sequence: number
@@ -1016,7 +1014,6 @@ export const getOrderStatus = async (
       menuItemName: menuItem?.name ?? '',
       status: item.status,
       cancelledBy: item.cancelledBy,
-      delaySeconds: instances.reduce((sum, row) => sum + row.delaySeconds, 0),
       cancellable:
         item.status !== 'cancelled' &&
         item.status !== 'ready' &&
diff --git a/src/lib/format.ts b/src/lib/format.ts
index 9e37b96..97f63dc 100644
--- a/src/lib/format.ts
+++ b/src/lib/format.ts
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ export const formatEtaClock = (etaSeconds: number, now = new Date()) => {
 
 const ABSOLUTE_TIME_THRESHOLD_SECONDS = 3 * 60 * 60
 
-export const formatEtaMessage = (etaSeconds: number, now = new Date()) =>
+export const formatEtaParts = (etaSeconds: number, now = new Date()) =>
   etaSeconds > ABSOLUTE_TIME_THRESHOLD_SECONDS
-    ? `Ready ${formatEtaClock(etaSeconds, now)}`
-    : `Ready in about ${formatDuration(etaSeconds)}`
+    ? { prefix: 'Ready', value: formatEtaClock(etaSeconds, now) }
+    : { prefix: 'Ready in about', value: formatDuration(etaSeconds) }
 
 export const formatStatus = (status: string) => status.replaceAll('_', ' ')
diff --git a/tests/format.test.ts b/tests/format.test.ts
index 90eac65..e8a2f38 100644
--- a/tests/format.test.ts
+++ b/tests/format.test.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 
-import { formatDuration, formatEtaClock, formatEtaMessage } from '#/lib/format.ts'
+import { formatDuration, formatEtaClock, formatEtaParts } from '#/lib/format.ts'
 
 describe('formatDuration', () => {
   it('rounds up to at least 1 minute', () => {
@@ -39,16 +39,28 @@ describe('formatEtaClock', () => {
   })
 })
 
-describe('formatEtaMessage', () => {
+describe('formatEtaParts', () => {
   const noon = new Date(2026, 0, 15, 12, 0, 0)
 
   it('shows the relative time at or under the 3 hour threshold', () => {
-    expect(formatEtaMessage(34 * 60, noon)).toBe('Ready in about 34 min')
-    expect(formatEtaMessage(3 * 60 * 60, noon)).toBe('Ready in about 3 hr')
+    expect(formatEtaParts(34 * 60, noon)).toEqual({
+      prefix: 'Ready in about',
+      value: '34 min',
+    })
+    expect(formatEtaParts(3 * 60 * 60, noon)).toEqual({
+      prefix: 'Ready in about',
+      value: '3 hr',
+    })
   })
 
   it('shows the absolute time once the eta passes 3 hours', () => {
-    expect(formatEtaMessage(3 * 60 * 60 + 60, noon)).toBe('Ready today, 03:01 PM')
-    expect(formatEtaMessage(230 * 60, noon)).toBe('Ready today, 03:50 PM')
+    expect(formatEtaParts(3 * 60 * 60 + 60, noon)).toEqual({
+      prefix: 'Ready',
+      value: 'today, 03:01 PM',
+    })
+    expect(formatEtaParts(230 * 60, noon)).toEqual({
+      prefix: 'Ready',
+      value: 'today, 03:50 PM',
+    })
   })
 })
diff --git a/tests/ordering.test.ts b/tests/ordering.test.ts
index c366395..bc4a05e 100644
--- a/tests/ordering.test.ts
+++ b/tests/ordering.test.ts
@@ -667,7 +667,6 @@ describe('kitchen simulation', () => {
 
     const after = (await getStatus(order)).items[0]
     expect(after.steps[0].status).toBe('in_progress')
-    expect(after.delaySeconds).toBe(180)
     expect(after.etaSeconds).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(before.etaSeconds! + 170)
   })