To not want to order via an app in a restaurant!

[TeaAndBrie]

Visited a restaurant for brunch today, it wasn’t super fancy but £12 for eggs Benedict to give an idea of price.
we were told to sit anywhere that’s free and then use the QR code on the table to see the menu and order. I must’ve pulled a face as she said she would get a paper menu and that we could order at the counter.
surely part of eating out if the experience and the service and this is all part of what you pay for?

I can't believe these places are still expecting tips!?! You can't expect customers to do all the work themselves and then tip the staff! No service, no tips!!

I have walked out and gone elsewhere. Work entails too much screen time on laptop and phone. I am not messing about with a QR code when I go out.
They want service tips well....errm no

I quite like the option, but dislike it being compulsory.

It is great not to have to split the group while one goes to the bar to order and one holds the table and there's no back and forth with "what sort of potatoes do you want with that?" Or "the lasagne is sold out what do you want instead?". Also good for bill splitting.

I wouldn't want to do it for a special do or a romantic meal.

I will not photograph a QR code on my phone. It is really easy to set up a scam with a QR code. If an eatery only offered that option I would turn around and leave.

Yanbu. I’ve had this. After waiting for our food for over half an hour, a staff member then wandered out of the kitchen to say sorry we are not serving food today. A sign would have been nice 👀

The app had already taken payment. She said it would be refunded.

It was not.

Forget that, bring back table waiters.

Absolutely hate it!

Yo Sushi make you order from your phone. The problem I've had with that though is that I can only use my Blue Light Card on one transaction. I didn't realise this the first time I used it, ordered a drink to have whilst I was choosing my food then couldn't use my card on my main order.

I also find at Yo Sushi that I order some dishes then decide I want more. But can only use the card for the first transaction. So for me to get the best deal I have to pre-empt how much I'm going to want to eat and order it all in one go.

Get used to it, many businesses are going in this direction

I much prefer scanning a QR code and ordering. Much better than waiting at a bar to order and also can order to my own timescales etc. I’m quite decisive so know what I want quite early on so can just order it without faff.

I prefer it for drinks on a night out as table service is nice for rounds of drinks and not standing at the bar for ages.

But for food? Nah I want someone to come and take the order and not be pissing about searching the menu and putting loads of meals and food items on

I'm not sure I get much pleasure or feel like I'm paying for the experience of telling a server I'd like eggs Benedict please and handing over money (assuming swiping a phone to pay also detracts from your pleasure). I mean I do that at Subway. It doesn't elevate my sausage and egg sub.

Better surely than having someone hovering over you with a pen and paper when you're trying to get settled, look at the wine, comparing there's no whatever, catch up with your mates.

I do think tho that it should be an easily accessible double option. Would you like me to come back in 5 to take your order or do you want to order on the app?

I like it in places where otherwise I'd have to walk to the bar/till to make an order. But not on places that have table service and I'm paying the premium for it.

Also Hate it if i have to download an app and sign in to do it. If I can just order with the qr code then it is fine.

There is a chain restaurant in town where you order via app and it makes a sound when the food it ready and I have to.get ul and pick it up from the counter. The app still asks for a tip when paying. Ridiculous

Sorry mum 😂 I actually wouldn’t dream of being intentionally rude to anyone working in a cafe or otherwise but I must’ve had an initial reaction that I couldn’t hide!

I won't go anywhere without a proper menu

I prefer it that way. I don't like the whole concept of "service", "tips" and people literally "waiting" around me, it just doesn't feel good.
In addition, at least in my area, this setup is often more friendly to splitting the bill, so it is great when being out with friends or colleagues.

Would be nice if this was clearly marked on their websites and Google maps, so everyone would be able to choose a place that fits their preferences.

Hate it and I refuse .
I also hate tech , so Nope Not for me

Personally from the other side apps have pro's and cons, one of the big pro's though is that people get what they order, they've made the order themselves, and there's less margin for errors. Though there's also less margin for blaming someone else when you've cocked up your own order because you did it yourself - some people don't like that bit though. Half the 'experience' is being able to talk down to and attempt to humiliate the service staff for some.
Yes, @Maverickess from a server's point of view it's very satisfying when someone who ordered on the app talks to you like shit saying you've got their order wrong and watching their face change when you ask them to look at their order confirmation and they realise they're the ones who made the mistake 😆

I prefer it to counter service. It also means I don’t feel like crap when I don’t tip.

It is great when eating in groups as everyone can order and pay for themselves.

I prefer using an app where I can - I don't actually enjoy interacting with people particularly, and the ability to just scroll through the menu at my own pace and add any little extras later without having to find a staff member is great for me. I don't have any trouble using technology and am fairly knowledgable with apps etc so I rarely have issues.
I do think it shouldn't be compulsory though; there are still plenty of people who aren't able or willing to use their phones to order so places should accommodate both options. Like Wetherspoons does in my area. We order via app when the bar is very busy and in person when it's quiet.

I ate out yesterday and the waitress (who was lovely) struggled to find the right option for our order on her computer - and the bill was wrong. You cannot order by app there anywhere and the experience relies upon good staff. But we still had a great experience, partly down to the waitress.

I’ve eaten at a chain restaurant where you are advised to order via the app. The first time we did this, our drinks came after we’d finished our main course! Totally rubbish system - if you go to the bar you get served before the app customers. Learnt my lesson and have since ordered from the bar and it’s fine.

It is a bit like the supermarkets - self service takes away the need for jobs so if I can avoid apps then I will.

I hate this. I was in Italy earlier this year in a lovely restaurant but you had to order via an app. They didn't even have menus. We had left our phones in the hotel safe so the lovely waitress did it all for us on her phone. I think she thought we were dinosaurs.

Don't be under any illusion that refusing to use self service keeps people in jobs. My friend works for a bank and had to encourage customers (some age 90+) to use internet banking and automated cash machines. They used to say that they wanted to go to the counter to keep her in a job. The branch closed anyway. Supermarkets/banks/retail just take away the jobs so people are forced to use self service or wait in the very long queue for the lone manned till.