Will ipads make waiters/waitresses obsolete?

[bearxor]

I don't think iPads/Tablets will replace wait staff, but what I do see them replacing is menus. Imagine being able to call up any food item and seeing a picture of it, looking at all available options, nutritional information, daily specials, etc, etc.

I don't see iPad's doing this because they're so expensive, but I imagine once most places can pick up something in the 7" range, customized for their restaurant for $50-$75 each, I could see it start to happen.

The best electronic thing that I miss is the ESP system. Fatz Cafe around here had them and if you needed something, like more drink or some ranch or whatever, you could press the button and your waiter/waitress would be notified they needed to check up on you. Just like Pancho's flags, haha.

 

[Spook]

Seems kinda silly imo. Server is walking by delivering food to another table. Can I ask for a refill or do I have to use the ipad?

Sure, but normally you have to wait for your own waiter/waitress anyway, so, why not just reach over, and order another real quick. Sure, sometimes your server is right there... so, sometimes quicker, sometimes not.

 

[Jeff7]

I like it. It will be popular with the introverts. A lot of places in crowded cities makes waiting for wait staff annoying.

They might not go to the restaurant in the first place.
Example: I don't like the long idle wait for food at a restaurant, the waitstaff doing the "customer-service-cheerful" routine for higher tips, the open people-heavy atmosphere, nor the constant noise of loads of people jabbering on about who knows what. It's just not for me. (I'm also known as something of a buzzkill when it comes to social gatherings. Oh well.)

An acceptable grouping of people for me consists of myself and one, possibly two, other people. A forum's ok too, where I can close the tab to make you all disappear.


I'd prefer the quad-rotor delivery service instead.

Order online, get aerial robotic delivery, and no annoying direct human contact required. Efficient.

 

[DrPizza]

I thought about it a little more - perhaps I'm just not a typical diner, but I frequently have questions that I doubt the iPad is going to be able to answer. Those questions range from the simple, "which would you recommend" to "are the pies made here from scratch, or are they pre-made and perhaps only cooked here?" (The latter being a deal killer on dessert.)

 

[SandEagle]

Seems kinda silly imo. Server is walking by delivering food to another table. Can I ask for a refill or do I have to use the ipad?

push button ordering is the future. death to tipping!

 

[Newbian]

If you don't tip the ipad then it can't feed it's family.

 

[Spook]

push button ordering is the future. death to tipping!

Death to racial profiling by servers because there are no tips

 

[alkemyst]

who the fuck is bringing you guys your food after you order on an iPad?

That said eventually robots will eliminate work staff and cgi actors other than voice.

I still get to eat out, but you above may find that food too expensive and have to suck down the government provided crap.

 

[alkemyst]

I thought about it a little more - perhaps I'm just not a typical diner, but I frequently have questions that I doubt the iPad is going to be able to answer. Those questions range from the simple, "which would you recommend" to "are the pies made here from scratch, or are they pre-made and perhaps only cooked here?" (The latter being a deal killer on dessert.)

wow...I am not a foodie, but I don't see you leaving your local territory too much. Just pull up reviews online regardless of pre-made should be a good experience.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I would be down with this. I dislike most condiments and certain other things, so I end up customizing a lot of food when eating out. This would remove the primary area where this gets screwed up (either in hearing, understanding, or writing down my order). This would also save on labor costs in restaurants where margins are typically fairly low. One server should be able to handle as many tables as at least 2 or 3 waiters/waitresses.

I don't see the "asking questions" thing being a big deal. Just stick an "I have a question" button on the iPad app that alerts the server (either in the kitchen or with a pager). I'd think that most people won't have questions.

I don't particularly care about the social interaction with waitstaff either. I go out to eat for the convenience (don't have to buy the food, store it, cook it, or clean up after it) and to socialize with my family or friends, not to chit-chat with strangers. If you want to do that, visit a diner or truckstop where the conversation is going to be much better than the 16 year old who wants to get back to texting.

I would appreciate the ability to pay directly from my table as well. My credit card doesn't leave my sight (not that cancelling a compromised card is difficult, just annoying) and it's quicker.

 

[alkemyst]

Personally I don't think they missed your instructions anymore than you assumed they hear them.

Can I ask what your daily meals cost out?

 

[SMOGZINN]

I can see something like this working for a low end restaurant - something along the lines of Applebees that can barely be called a restaurant. But, at a restaurant that hires chefs - real chefs; people who have graduated from a culinary arts school (not chefs who are pimply faced teens who at 17 were promoted from fry chef to burger chef) - I think I'll leave my meal in their hands, thank you very much.

Obviously in the higher end restaurants the iPad would be carried by a young woman in a black and white outfit that would push the buttons for you.

 

[ImpulsE69]

They could have done this on an Android tablet, then Google selling your meal info to the highest bidder can be the tip.

 

[alkemyst]

Obviously in the higher end restaurants the iPad would be carried by a young woman in a black and white outfit that would push the buttons for you.

You do realize they have this already right?

 

[thecrecarc]

No, I do not want to "make my own food creation". If I wanted that, I'd cook. I want a definitive menu. Furthermore, if there was no waitstaff, then I'd tip far far less, as I received far far less human service.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Personally I don't think they missed your instructions anymore than you assumed they hear them.

Can I ask what your daily meals cost out?

Me?

 

[zinfamous]

Not any time soon. Moreover, an ipad cannot move food around.

Oh, I see you have not upgraded to an iPad 3.

 

[alkemyst]

Me?

yes, since you are so picky. How much does this life you lead eating out regularly cost you?

 

[SMOGZINN]

You do realize they have this already right?

Yes, that was the joke.

EDIT: High end restaurants won't change much because they are all about the service, the mood, and the food.

 

[alkemyst]

Yes, that was the joke.

EDIT: High end restaurants won't change much because they are all about the service, the mood, and the food.

you fail at sarcazm online.

You sound like all the other pricks above looking for a $50 plate for $5.95.

 

[Gunslinger08]

..