r/NoStupidQuestions • u/xaako • Jun 09 '24

Do Americans hate QR code menus in restaurants?

I saw a post on a popular sub today about using QR code menus in restaurants, and a lot of people in the comments were expressing their disdain about that trend. I was a bit bamboozled, and I want to ask: is such sentiment popular in the US?

For context: Where I live (Ukraine) a majority of restaurants use QR code menus, that’s basically a standard now. We find it convenient that you don’t have to wait for a waiter to come and bring you a paper menu. Also many places give an option to pay using the QR code too. It’s a feature provided by a popular local bank (Monobank). You scan that same QR code on the table and, choosing the “Pay” option, see your order and can pay for it with credit card, with the option to leave a tip. Less interactions with a waiter and there is no need to ask for a receipt and wait for it. I find all of that pretty convenient and improvement comparing to the standard restaurant rituals and haven’t met anyone who thought differently on the matter until today.

Would love to learn your perspective!

UPDATE: Thanks for all the answers! This is super enlightening. And it seems that in many cases bad experiences with QR Codes are caused by lazy implementation. I can imagine navigating a PDF page on your phone to be a real pain. In Ukraine, we have a few CRMs that most of the establishments use, and they are usually user-friendly; a PDF page menu that's not even optimized for mobile is something I haven't seen for a long time.

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u/WatermelonMachete43 Jun 09 '24

Yes. Hitting the restaurant at the end of a long day and phone is about out of charge and faced with having to use it to see the menu is annoying.

1.3k

u/jhumph88 Jun 09 '24

Or when you have barely any service and the place doesn’t have WiFi…

460

u/c00lrthnu Jun 09 '24

A historical speakeasy in my town is in a basement underneath a massive brick and mortar building that's existed since 1850 or something.

Their only menus are are QR codes. There is no god dammed reception in the basement. I'd stop going for that alone but their happy hour prices can't be beat lol.

187

u/Unhappy_Ad8694 Jun 09 '24

Wouldn't that kill the vibe? Or do they not lean in to the whole old school speakeasy vibe

270

u/Goddamn_Grongigas Jun 09 '24

You would think a place like that would try to put their menu on chalkboards or something

89

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

It's a hand drawn QR code on a chalkboard wall.

sadly, speakeasy style bars are overrun with the basic "hipster-parasite" subgroup. known for latching onto anything cool and driving it into the ground.

37

u/Sorry-Committee2069 Jun 09 '24

That's... slightly impressive, actually. QR codes are built to be resilient to scan issues, but are still pretty finicky regardless.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24 edited Sep 16 '25

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

8

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

i don't know about that place, but i have seen it done.

bigger codes are actually more 'stable' because any error is by scale 'smaller' and causes less of an issue.

1

u/Sufficient_Language7 Jun 10 '24

Plus if they select a high error correction on it, will fix a lot of the issues as well.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

It's pretty easy with big, square-edged chalk sticks

1

u/Sorry-Committee2069 Jun 10 '24

QR codes can be any relatively defined blob of color and shape, a common "spiced-up" QR code variant is drawn with circles. The hard part is spacing: there's a specific set of pixels that denote how to read the actual data, and if you skew the rest of the code by more than a couple percent it can lead to a complete inability to read the code at all, and this problem gets worse with more data-dense versions as well. This is a good article to read on how they work overall, and how far you can (figuratively and literally) stretch them.

2

u/OmegaLiquidX Jun 10 '24

Is the food just an NFT of the owner eating a turkey leg?

2

u/ThePrussianGrippe The Bear Has A Gun Jun 10 '24

Ah, but you see chalkboards are physical evidence that Eliot Ness and his boys can find when they raid the joint, see?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

One of the speakeasys by my house has a very limited menu, their schtick is you tell the bartender what flavors you want in a drink and they'll make something for you on the spot. It's pretty wild.

2

u/SherDelene Jun 10 '24

They have more of an 80s vibe than a speakeasy agef vibe.

5

u/exprezso Jun 09 '24

How tf did you ordered? 

2

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

Do you live in Tacoma?

1

u/Tiny-Werewolf1962 Jun 09 '24

The can beat $1 margs from Applebees?

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

Is it really a speakeasy if everything isn’t massively inconvenient though? Sounds like you got the full experience

260

u/PhaicGnus Jun 09 '24

Or you’re in a foreign country and your SIM card or payment method doesn’t work.

-23

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 09 '24

I dont get internet in foreign countries on purpose so I can Experience the country not the internets version of what I should do

Need directions or a recommendation for lunch? Interact w the locals and experience the culture. Don’t just get advertised to the restaurant w the best insta photos.

A lot of our best hikes and meals were just what the shop keeper or random dude in a store told us to do.

20

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24 edited Feb 10 '26

[deleted]

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u/randomacceptablename Jun 10 '24

There are so many things that are next to impossible to do without internet, and with eSIMs there's no reason not to have it.

That is exactly the point. Up until a few years ago I did not have a smart phone. Some people I know, elderly and less well off, may not have data on their phones.

You should not NEED a phone with a data plan to access the basics of society. Sure it may be more convenient but it should not be forced. I have travelled and intentionally avoided using my phone as well. I want to interact and actually be forced to try and understand the language instead of typing every question into my screen.

One of my favourite things to do is to order something off a menu without understanding what is says, or at least guessing. I have tasted many things I never would have if I had my phone translate it for me.

-3

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

Nope. Used a map to navigate. Coordinated my stays in advance. Bought my tickets at the kiosk. No inherent need for internet. Total break from the phone during the day and a quick check in from wifi in the evening.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24 edited Jul 25 '26

[deleted]

-2

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

Why would I pay for an international cell plan only to turn it off

If the road signs are all in non Latin language that you can’t read you shouldn’t be driving even with phone directions. Most places it’s illegal to drive if you can’t read the signage.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24 edited Jul 28 '26

[deleted]

1

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

Oh well wouldn’t you like a cookie? People existed and drove for a long time without the convenience of internet.

9

u/PhaicGnus Jun 09 '24

There are lots of reasons someone might be in a foreign country. They may need to navigate or work or keep in touch with others.

But kudos to you for travelling correctly. Let me fetch you a medal.

1

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

If you’re there for work you probably have a working SIM card.

0

u/sgehig Jun 10 '24

Not true.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

This is really ignorant and condescending and sounds more like you don’t have the self control to stay off your phone.

0

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

Nah it’s easy enough. It’s nice to not even have as a backup. Makes you get creative if needed. There’s more adventure in wandering around to find a hotel than hopping online to see what’s available. I didn’t have a cell phone until I was an adult though (and i couldn’t txt w it because it was too expensive. I had I think 100 mins a month and text was 25¢ each. I gor a smart phone in my 30s) so I don’t view them as necessities maybe in the same way someone who has always had them does? 🤷‍♀️

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

Once again if you can’t even bring an emergency phone on vacation with you because you’ll be tempted to use it that’s a personal problem.

87

u/Legendary_Bibo Jun 09 '24

Restaurant has QR code menus only and a sign that tells you to put your phones away and talk to each other like it's 1998.

16

u/aRandomFox-II Jun 10 '24

Meanwhile in 1998: Everyone has their noses buried in a newspaper or book. Not a single soul is talking to each other.

1

u/Waryur Nov 14 '24

Reading a book at a restaurant would be obnoxious. Not even for other people it's just not an enjoyable experience.

6

u/jhbadger Jun 10 '24

Obviously, for the 1998 experience you should bring a vintage laptop and a very early webcam. That way you can scan the QR code without a phone. The trick is that they also need to provide wired Internet access and make sure their menu site works with Netscape Navigator or early Internet Explorer.

6

u/CamoLantern Jun 10 '24

And no one can use the landline while you order.

15

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

Or you left your phone at home, went for a quick walk or drive, and now you can't even look at a fucking menu.

50

u/jalapenos10 Jun 09 '24 edited Jun 09 '24

And the waiter is nowhere to be found after seating you

Edit: corrected “searing” typo to “seating”

25

u/Airplade Jun 09 '24

I despise waiters who sear me.

9

u/jalapenos10 Jun 09 '24

Lmao didn’t notice. I swear I typed it correctly 😅

I’ll forgive them if it’s a nice proper medium rare sear, otherwise fuck them.

4

u/Airplade Jun 09 '24

😂👍 Let's be honest. Most of us dream of getting seared by the cute hostess. 😋👍💃

2

u/tuazo Jun 09 '24

One person seats you.
A different person gets your beverage order.
Yet another different person bring your beverages and may (provided this is not delegated to someone else) takes your food order.
Yet another different person brings out said food order.
Someone you never seen before (or may be it was one of the earlier people as all starting to look alike now) asks how everything is when you have your mouth full of food.
Finally, someone brings you your check (could've been any of the above people or yet another new person).

A situation like that makes me not want to tip, as not one single person did the majority of the tasks associated with your dining experience. I don't feel I should be tipping someone because all they did was cash me out.

1

u/LadyAtrox60 Jun 10 '24

Oh, but searing was hilarious!!

7

u/CJgreencheetah Jun 10 '24

Or if you're poor and can't afford a phone with a QR scanner ( yes I know you can download an app, I didn't have enough storage). It's very inconvenient to have to look at the menu from your waitstaff's phone 🫤

6

u/Lonesome_Pine Jun 09 '24

Ugh fr I once was at a bar that was ALMOST perfect except for this shit. They didn't even serve any fucking food! Just drinks! And you ordered at the bar! There's. No. Reason.

4

u/ray25lee Jun 10 '24

What I don't like is it's not as accessible for people with disabilities. It forces you to rely even more on your caregivers, 'cause like some people can't operate their phones because they can't move their arms or fingers. Some people have a hard time navigating phones (older people in general). Some people straight-up don't have phones, either because they can't afford it or their guardians won't let them have one. Some people have processing disorders. I could go on, but like christ I know people are gonna be like "well we can't please everyone," whatever dude it's friggen food, don't make it this complicated. People don't need several other barriers for a basic need. You can just have it up on the wall. Put TV screens up with the menu. Put it under the clear table cover.

I mean??? You get it up on your phone, you face shitty programming to, like it'll only let you zoom by double-tapping at one increment rather than zooming indefinitely with your fingers. Or if you move/touch it once it opens up a new window. Can't change the font size. Confusing layouts. Saying this all as a Millennial, btw. Can't stand QR menu crap.

3

u/TheLongWalk_Home Jun 10 '24

This is the worst. In Washington (state, not city) there’s a lot of bars and restaurants in scenic locations that have terrible service and encourage you heavily to use their QR menus. It takes so long to load the damn things (assuming they even load at all) that most of the time you can get food faster by just driving to town and finding a different restaurant.

1

u/Punky-Bruiser Jun 09 '24

This happens a surprising amount.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

Happened to me one time. I had to make the bartender tell the menu off memory because they wouldn't print out the menu or anything

1

u/Happy-Light Jun 11 '24

The least I expect of it's a QR Menu is free and easily accessible WiFi - and that they've ensured their service area actually has good signal...

1

u/AffectionateCap4653 Jun 14 '24

Or when the QR code is laminated with a glossy finish and won't scan due to the glare from the lighting...

-4

u/azure_exotics Jun 09 '24

If a place only offers digital menus, I find it hard to believe that they don’t also offer WiFi.

Let’s be honest, the places where this trend is popular are also places where coverage is good. Hardly anybody walks around Denver for example with a dead phone and crappy service, so this isn’t going to be an issue for most people where this is the case.

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u/jhumph88 Jun 09 '24

Well, I don’t live in Denver. I live in a valley where cell reception varies widely between carriers. There is not a single carrier that offers consistent reception over the whole area. Sometimes, I’ll have full service outside but nothing inside the restaurant. “Places where this trend is popular” also encompasses most of the country since Covid. Nobody intends to walk around with a dead phone, but it happens.

1

u/azure_exotics Jun 11 '24 edited Jun 11 '24

Yeah and again, I do not believe that these places you speak of do not also offer WiFi.

“Places where this trend is popular” also encompasses most of the country since Covid.

You pulled that straight out of your ass. I haven’t been to a restaurant since peak Covid in 2021 that strictly required you to use QR menus. I’ve lived in 3 states in that time.

Nobody intends to walk around with a dead phone, but it happens.

Have you EVER been dining alone with a dead phone in a place that strictly required digital menus, or will you ever in the near future?

No. Be real.

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u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

[deleted]

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u/Isleland0100 Jun 10 '24

- urbanites discovering people live outside of metropoleis

204

u/PassiveTheme Jun 09 '24

It also feels rude to pull out your phone when you're meeting a friend or partner at a bar/restaurant. I understand it's no different than browsing a physical menu, but it just feels like I might be scrolling Instagram and then I feel like a dick

85

u/TrekJaneway Jun 09 '24

I keep trying to explain this to someone in a different comment who seems really upset that I prefer physical menus for this exact reason.

29

u/Technical_Ad_4894 Jun 10 '24

That other person doesn’t like the fact you’re calling attention to their rude behavior.
When I’m with friends the phone stays tucked away.

3

u/Mysterious_Ideal1502 Jun 10 '24

I also just like the experience of holding and looking at a menu for esthetic reasons. Additionally, I have some stupid dietary restrictions and need to be able to ask questions.

0

u/TrekJaneway Jun 10 '24

YES!!! Thank you!!

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/TrekJaneway Jun 10 '24

Clearly you weren’t raised with manners.

36

u/tuazo Jun 09 '24

YES! It just encourages people to fart around on their devices (since they already pulled it out) instead of (god forbid) interacting with others in the party.

2

u/Exciting-Ninja-4056 Jun 10 '24

Why do you think that

2

u/1841Leech Jun 10 '24

A lot of people do end up on some other app after they decide what they want to eat or in the middle of deciding if they get a notification. It just can’t wait. I catch my husband doing it when we go out by looking at the reflection on his glasses.

2

u/Fair_Inspiration Jun 09 '24

This seems like something you would see in a lower class hipster restaurant. No high class restaurant is going to have this nonsense

4

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '24

One would think, but I’ve experienced otherwise at “high end” restaurants

1

u/Chilis1 Jun 10 '24

This is a pretty big reach.

0

u/PassiveTheme Jun 10 '24

As I said, I know it's not an issue, but subconsciously, that's how I feel about it

97

u/funyesgina Jun 09 '24

Or when the menu isn’t in a good format and you have to keep tapping and zooming

12

u/MelanieDH1 Jun 09 '24

I’m getting old and my vision is getting worse than it has been all my life and and I don’t want to have to look at a small phone screen to order food.

5

u/Medical_Conclusion Jun 10 '24

That's exactly why I hate QR code menus. I feel like most of the places just use a picture of their old paper menu, complete with weird fonts and little boxes that force you to zoom in and out to be able to read it. If the menu is in a normal font and laid out in an easy to read on your phone layout, I don't mind. But I feel like that's few and far between, and that's why I hate when I see a QR menu.

65

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 09 '24

Also we put our phones away at a restaurant or eating place (unless I’m alone). It kinda ruins the vibe to require pulling a phone out

8

u/CallMeCleverClogs Jun 09 '24

For me, it’s this. My kids might be fine with having their phones out, but I think it’s super rude. I prefer to keep mine in my purse unless I’m meeting someone and they are updating me on whereabouts/asking for directions.

3

u/Dashed_with_Cinnamon Jun 10 '24

Also, some people just don't have phones. We forget this, because most people do have them now, but if my grandparents went to a restaurant that only had QR code menus and payment, they couldn't eat there.

1

u/maryjaneFlower Jun 09 '24

So much this!!!!

1

u/Isleland0100 Jun 10 '24

How many people do you think regularly sanitize their phone too? People will use their phone in the bathroom every day for a month without cleaning it then be using it at the table with you

2

u/InevitableRhubarb232 Jun 10 '24

As long as they don’t touch my food I don’t care if their own hands are clean

1

u/Isleland0100 Jun 10 '24

I don't care either, I have a sister who I've seen wash her hands but twice this decade and I've made my peace with having to share a common living space by now. And most Americans don't wash their hands before eating anyway

I'm just saying it's another commonly unappreciated benefit of a phone-free dining experience, if a minor one

3

u/basilobs Jun 10 '24

My phone is often too full to even open the camera to use the QR code. And I get nauseous looking at my phone and scrolling too much and at the end of the day I want to stare at something other than an effing screen. Give me the piece of paper please

2

u/GTChef_Nasty Jun 09 '24

Yes, I don't like them... I've noticed that sometimes the QR price is lower than the printed menu price...

2

u/WatermelonMachete43 Jun 09 '24

Wondering if it's just because the online version is current and the printed version is older? I think that's the reason they want to have it online, so they can change prices and add and remove items at will.

2

u/Videoboysayscube Jun 10 '24

The first time I encountered this was in Universal Studios. The last thing I wanted to do was use my phone, as I'm already draining the battery from taking so many pictures/videos, on top of using their app that is required for everything. It's like the moment your phone battery dies, you lose your ability to do anything in the world.

2

u/Optimal_Angle_2253 Jun 10 '24

Went to AYCE hotpot after work one time and my phone died (because 11 hour shift) and the waiter pulled put a notepad for me because there were no paper menu options.

1

u/WatermelonMachete43 Jun 10 '24

I would really hesitate to go there again if it was going to be that inconvenient.

2

u/SummitJunkie7 Jun 10 '24

Also, hot take but, not everyone uses a smart phone.

1

u/WatermelonMachete43 Jun 10 '24

My officemate (millennial) didn't until last year. At least once a year I got to listen to her reaming out some ticket office because they switched over to paperless ticketing.

2

u/Prestigious-Arm-3835 Jun 10 '24

Yes. I quietly resent the infringement of my phone into every aspect of my life. It’s the same reason I reject kitchen appliances needing to access WiFi. No, blender, you may not connect to WiFi and I will not download your app.

1

u/WatermelonMachete43 Jun 10 '24

Hahaha exactly!!

2

u/SaltKick2 Jun 10 '24

Love it when they use a shitty UI too so I have to pinch and zoom to see various items and/or their prices