Ordering

At One Australian Restaurant, iPads Replace Menus
Trends

Could the iPad Be the Menu of the Future?

An iPad is already an Internet browser, a mobile movie theater, a photo album, and a compass — so why not make it a menu, too?
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An iPad is already an Internet browser, a mobile movie theater, a photo album, and a compass — so why not make it a menu, too? Well, that's the idea at the Global Mundo Tapas restaurant in North Sydney, Australia.

The restaurant, which is based in the Rydges North Sydney Hotel, recently created a special application for the iPad that eliminates the need for printed menus. Using the application on the iPad, diners will be able to browse the menu, view images and descriptions of the food and drinks, learn recommended wine pairings, and make special requests — all with the swipe of a finger. Although it won't do away with a waitstaff, the new technology does help process menu requests and tracks inventory, eliminating options from the menu if they are sold out.

I could see this idea taking off in establishments looking to speed up service. Could you?

Poll: Have You Ever Changed Your Order Based on Price?
Poll

Have You Ever Changed Your Order Based on Price?

Several nights ago, I stopped by an organic restaurant to pick up some takeout for my guy.
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Several nights ago, I stopped by an organic restaurant to pick up some takeout for my guy. Although I didn't catch the price, I ordered the fish tacos — but when time came to sign the credit card bill, I recoiled at the amount — $20! I was slightly embarrassed, and hated to trouble the waitstaff who had to run into the kitchen to cancel the order, but the amount was far more than I was expecting to pay for tacos. Have you ever done something similar?

Do You Ask Servers For Menu Recommendations?
Poll

Do You Ask Servers For Menu Recommendations?

Often, when I'm trying to decide between two dishes, I'll ask servers what they recommend.
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Often, when I'm trying to decide between two dishes, I'll ask servers what they recommend. Sometimes they won't have an opinion, but often, servers are very knowledgeable about what the best items on the menu are. I rarely regret taking their advice. How about you?

Source

Starbucks Gets Skinny For the New Year
Drinks

Starbucks Gets Skinny For the New Year

Starbucks recently announced their new "skinny" drink ordering system, it's a system that's been in place for years, only it didn't have a name before.
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Starbucks recently announced their new "skinny" drink ordering system, it's a system that's been in place for years, only it didn't have a name before. If you'd like your drink to be sugar-free, with non-fat milk and without whip cream, you can now order it "skinny" instead of listing off the criteria. I'm glad to see that Starbucks is bringing it to people's attention, however not everyone is loving the name. In fact, one barista has even gone as far as to write a letter to the corporate office.

The unnamed barista's letter reads more like a manifesto, however she does have some good points. She believes that the new ordering system will be confusing, especially if a customer wants whip or wants whole milk. Personally I don't think it's that weird, that's like having a regular, but with no-whip or non-fat. She also thinks it's one more thing for the customers to get confused by. I'll have to agree on this one, I still can't figure out why the tall is the small. However her biggest pet peeve is that she thinks it's politically incorrect. She points out that they don't call the whole milk versions obese, and she thinks overweight customers and employees might be offended or weirded out by it.

So what do you think? Do you have an opinion about Starbucks' skinny ordering system? I don't have a problem with the name, although I do wonder just how "skinny" these skinny drinks really are.

"Chocolate Rain": A Drive-Thru Sensation
Humor

"Chocolate Rain": A Drive-Thru Sensation

You would think a stunt like this would kill a perfectly good running joke, but it doesn't.
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You would think a stunt like this would kill a perfectly good running joke, but it doesn't. "Chocolate Rain" still lives on in my book! Watch the following dude order his food to the beat of Tay Zonday's drummer. What's even funnier is that, despite all of his antics, the chick at the register completely follows his order-- just another day at the drive-thru, eh?

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Yo Quiero Taco B-B-Bell!
Humor

Yo Quiero Taco B-B-Bell!

These beat-boxing fast food orders never cease to amaze me.
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These beat-boxing fast food orders never cease to amaze me. I mean, how much time did these dumbasses waste to plan, write, and practice this (c)rap? In the end, they weren't even successful in scoring the food they wanted, but we all know they were just starving for attention anyway. Be prepared to crave a border run when you're done..!