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Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

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Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#11

Post by wruza »

teeray wrote: post #2

The worst aspect of QR codes as menu replacements is that they are a huge security risk. Who’s to say that QR code is legit? You can’t tell from looking at it. The trouble is compounded by the common practice of restaurants using some third-party service hosted off-site. The domain is no longer a trust signal either. It’s only a matter of time before someone starts snarfing information or credit card numbers this way…

It’s usually just a menu, not e-shoping at the table. Why would they even implement that, if a waiter has to greet you, bring orders and clean up anyway?

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#12

Post by neither_color »

The worst thing about QR code menus is that they're often just a paper-sized PDF that you have to pinch and zoom around. If they could design QR code menus like responsive mobile sites inspired by food-ordering apps this wouldn't be an issue, they'd be even better than paper menus.

When I was in China I enjoyed using their mobile menus. A common layout I saw was a narrow vertical bar on the left with categories(appetizers, main, drinks, etc) and cards with photos + details on the right.

https://www.smartshanghai.com/uploads/articles/2019/06/63615...

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#14

Post by dabfiend19 »

er4hn wrote: post #6

As a counterpoint, QR code menus work very well in China. I've been to places where you scan the code to open a menu that lets you place all your orders. You can also pay for your table via per table QR codes. As a side note, you don't customarily tip in restaurants in China, so a non high-end place with good food will typically have rushed and curt wait staff. Ordering through the phone will give you a better experi…

every restaurant and bar I've been to in Brooklyn in the last week now also has the menu, ordering, and payment entirely through the QR codes. most using the Toast platform. I don't see this trend going back the other way.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#15

Post by whimsicalism »

er4hn wrote: post #6

As a counterpoint, QR code menus work very well in China. I've been to places where you scan the code to open a menu that lets you place all your orders. You can also pay for your table via per table QR codes. As a side note, you don't customarily tip in restaurants in China, so a non high-end place with good food will typically have rushed and curt wait staff. Ordering through the phone will give you a better experi…

It would be lovely if we could move closer to the Chinese consumer model re: QR codes in general. Wechat pay/Alipay are incredibly convenient.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#18

Post by dabfiend19 »

wruza wrote: post #11
teeray wrote: post #2

The worst aspect of QR codes as menu replacements is that they are a huge security risk. Who’s to say that QR code is legit? You can’t tell from looking at it. The trouble is compounded by the common practice of restaurants using some third-party service hosted off-site. The domain is no longer a trust signal either. It’s only a matter of time before someone starts snarfing information or credit card numbers this way…

It’s usually just a menu, not e-shoping at the table. Why would they even implement that, if a waiter has to greet you, bring orders and clean up anyway?

ordering and paying through the QR code is now pretty common place in NYC. fewer waiters can attend more tables.

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#19

Post by bootlooped »

Karrot_Kream wrote: post #3
teeray wrote: post #2

The worst aspect of QR codes as menu replacements is that they are a huge security risk. Who’s to say that QR code is legit? You can’t tell from looking at it. The trouble is compounded by the common practice of restaurants using some third-party service hosted off-site. The domain is no longer a trust signal either. It’s only a matter of time before someone starts snarfing information or credit card numbers this way…

Most of the places I've been to just put their menu on a website linked through QR code, but still take orders and payment through staff. I've been to one place that doesn't do this but only one.

But if a malicious QR code led to a website that asked diners to pay for their meal at the point that they ordered it, how many of them would?

Re: Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

#20

Post by vxNsr »

Karrot_Kream wrote: post #8

I gotta say, I disagree with this piece. I, for one, love QR code menus. I can pinch zoom rather than squint at a menu with small/unreadable fonts in dim lighting. I don't need to badger the already exhausted wait staff on a busy night when they forget to drop us a menu or two. When orders are taken online, rather than awkwardly force a friend to not go to the bathroom (or take their kid to the bathroom) until a serv…

You’ve built a beautiful straw man that I’ve never seen in real life, rarely if ever have I encountered a menu with tiny font that is unreadable, I’ve never been to place that seated me and didn’t bring the menus at the same time. I’ve not experienced the bathroom thing either even in large parties, but it doesn’t sound awkward… if someone says they have to go to the bathroom they go, just tell the waiter this person will order a little later… or they call tell you what they want if they already know.
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