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Comment by uberman | Hacker News Reader

QR code menu, order, pay might be fine for McDonald's but at any nice place it is a terrible experience that sours the whole thing.

Reading a menu with your phone is terrible, there is no way to ask about specials, to hold items you are allergic to to get a recommendation.

It makes a nice place look cheap and in return I never leave a tip.

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If we assume 3 tiers of restaurant, with McDonalds at the cheap end, places like Chili's and TGI Friday's in the middle, and fine dining like steakhouses at the top, this change is aimed at the middle tier. In the US the trend has been that this middle tier is in decline, while a new middle tier has emerged , with places like Chipotle or Panera. These compete with sit down restaurants like El Torito with food that is comparable, but prices slightly lower and service that is faster. The main difference is that they eliminate hosts and servers by making you order at a counter and pick up your food when ready (some give you a number flag and bring it to the table). Places like Chili's and Olive Garden already have a tablet at the table where you can order additional food and drinks, and swipe your card right at the table. They are already socializing the concept of tableside ordering...it won't be long before customers can seat themselves (e.g. pick any table where the tablet is blinking green), order right from the tablet, request anything they need during the meal using the tablet, and pay on the tablet. Of course there is still a "call server" button.

Isn’t that good for your wallet? 20 % saved (if you are in the US)

I would frankly gladly pay 20% more or more than that to have a printed menu that I can see rather than endlessly swipe my phone.

What's next I bus and cook? I might saw well eat in.

I spent 200 bucks at a place over the holidays that thought this was somehow a great experience.

If I wanted to save 40 bucks I could have saved much more than that by ordering takeout.

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