E la Carte: Restaurants' Electronic Menus Revolutionize Ordering

by Jason Best, Posted Apr 21st 2011 @ 4:00PM

Technology has managed to make all manner of service employees practically obsolete -- bank tellers, travel agents, grocery store checkers. Are waiters next?

When you think about it, the newfangled gadget that tech startup E la Carte released this week has been sort of a long time coming. It's basically a more rugged version of an iPad that allows you to touch-screen your way through a restaurant menu, order and even pay.

The crotchety misanthrope might ask, "How is it that I've been able to scan and bag my own groceries for years, but still I have to make chit-chat with the waiter at Applebee's?"

Right now, reports our our sister site TechCrunch, only about 20 eateries have the device, mostly in San Francisco and Boston. But E la Carte says it has a long waiting list of restaurant owners eager to try the thing. One reason is because restaurants that have tested it have reported a 10 to 12 percent spike in overall revenue, since E la Carte is great at up-selling. ("Would you like a side salad with that for only $3 more?" Here's a lovely picture of the side salad. All you have to do is press this button.)

And here's a list of other things that the E la Carte reportedly does better than your average 19-year-old server who's apparently more interested in flirting with the dudes at the next table than refilling your Coke: It sends your order directly to the kitchen, so there's no chance of 20 minutes passing only to be told, "Sorry, I forgot to put your order in." It gladly (and without attitude) allows you to split the check every which way you can imagine. And once you've ordered, you can play trivia on it. (Your waiter is probably not going to stick around to ask you what the capital of Delaware is.)

Still, though, don't think that you're going to get out of having to leave a tip. After all, someone still has to bring your food to you. This isn't the Jetson's...yet.

Filed Under: Trends, Restaurants, Gadgets
Tags: e la carte, electronic menu, menus

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-22-2011 @4:06PM Rogerchrane said... Even better idea: Just let users take their tablets to the restaurant and punch in their order on a website that is streamed to their computer!

This will never take off anyways. People will always want a waiter to serve them personally. It may work at some of the smaller budget joints, but not the average Outback or upscale place.
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2-13-2012 @10:00AM Eli said... This is a great Idea but not new . hundreds of restaurant already use the eMenu / touch screen menus check http://www.emenu-international.com
Conceptic which is the leading company in this field has also IPad e menu solution : http://www.emenu-international.com/iPadMenu

Great Idea but old news...
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