A few weeks ago, my wife and I decided to go screen-free for one evening each week. We had fun playing Scrabble over a glass of natural wine and enjoyed a sunset picnic with pizza. Everything was great—until we tried to eat out. At our favorite Italian restaurant, everything went smoothly until the server asked us to fill out a survey via a QR code. We told him we left our phones at home, and honestly, he didn’t seem to believe us. When we went to a wine bar afterward, there was no menu to hold; we had to scan a QR code to see what they offered.
Now, I’m not a boomer. I value balance, discuss social justice, and invest in self-care. As a millennial straddling the line with Gen Z, I don’t mind tech as a whole, but I understand the frustration around QR menus.
To scan a code just to see the food options feels like a chore. It takes away from the dining experience. It becomes hard to focus on the meal and your companions when your phone is out. For those less comfortable with technology, it can be particularly stressful.
QR Menus: The Good and The Bad
QR menus became popular during the pandemic when everyone was wary of germs on physical menus. While scanning a code keeps us from touching something that many others have handled, our phones aren’t exactly clean either.
Using QR codes saves restaurants money on printing, especially when budgets are tight. They can also update menus quickly. But not everyone is on board. For many, QR codes can be frustrating, especially if the page takes too long to load or if the cell service isn’t great. I vividly remember having to borrow a server’s phone just to access the wine list, and it was awkward.
That’s why many people like having a paper menu available. It provides comfort and ease, allowing diners to focus on enjoying the meal, not just the technology involved.
Changing Dining Trends
Interestingly, a Pew Research study found that 76% of older adults prefer physical menus over digital options, highlighting a generational divide. This sentiment is apparent on social media, with many users sharing their struggles with QR codes. It seems like a clash of preferences between the younger and older generations.
Restaurants might consider accommodating both groups. Offering a physical menu alongside QR codes could enhance the dining experience for everyone. After all, going out to eat should be enjoyable, not a tech hassle.
