Bring back menus, QR codes are terrible

They could, but they never do. I've only gone out dining twice so far, and one time was a QR code place. But their PDF wasn't even text-searchable.

I agree, I want paper menus always, but maybe for different reasons.

Today it is difficult to go out to eat with friends or family without everybody being on their damned phones. Making people use QR codes just gives them an excuse to get it out to look at the menu, and then check their email while its out, reply to a non-urgent text, and finally might as well look at reddit for a few moments.

I want the opposite of this nightmare we live. I want people out of their phones and into discussions. I want their attention, and to give them mine. Phones get in the way of that exchange.

A lot of places I frequent in Kansas City switched to QR codes on tables that redirect to an online menu. I like it - less clutter on the table, no giving back of printed menus, no asking for the drinks menu back when the server comes around for another round, and no asking for the dessert menu at the end of the meal if I'm actually interested in dessert.

Another great aspect of the QR code driven menus is that after my meal or drink arrives I still have the menu readily available, so I can check what is in the dish or drink that's in front of me. It's great for foodie restaurants that give lots of description in the menu - before, when the meal came out I would sometimes find myself wondering what that odd shaped component was on my plate, but with a first class phone accessible menu I can get back to the description of what I ordered and figure out what's on my plate, or figure out what might be making my drink taste like bitter orange.

I didn't notice how much I liked these things until I recently traveled to Santa Fe, where every place was still using printed menus. One drink menu for a table of five? Let's all pass it around and tell the server to come back in a few minutes after we've had a chance to look one by one. Server took all of the menus after ordering, then comes around after the meal inquiring if we want dessert? I don't know what's on the menu, but I'm not interested in waiting for the server to come back with the menu. I ordered posole as a side, but forgot what the description was? I guess I'll google it...

I think my comment is a bit centered around the Chinese experience.

A lot of smaller Chinese restaurants are just one guy at a wok standing near the entrance and a bunch of stools inside (sometimes also outside). They're commonly a husband and wife team, where the husband cooks and the wife acts as a runner or takes orders when it's too busy to bark what you want at the cook, but sometimes it's just the one person. If you get there early, sometimes the wife is preparing mise en place at one of the tables, or on a stool out front.

Another common layout for larger restaurants is tables and stools on the inside plus a small counter to pay, but there's a window at the back going into the kitchen where they might have a couple of cooks and more space to prep.

In both of these cases it's not unusual for customers to know the owners and engage in some smalltalk, whether about the food, or whatever other thing. It's a lot like a classic diner in the US, or a UK "caff".

These QR code ordering systems tend to be in place at a different type of restaurant. They are more like strip mall chain restaurants with optimized seating and standardized menus and nobody knows anyone or cares. Personally I don't see the point of these sorts of places, because if you're just getting Sysco-style meals without any service then you could cut out the middle man and buy the meal without going to a restaurant.

> Downvote me, the truth hurts.

I don’t think anyone cares enough actually

We aren’t triggered by this possible reality

There are limits to the etiquette and whats considered rude but it has shifted

Its the level of engagement, not the presence of the device itself