Why not use a pad and pencil?
 

Any former servers out there who can explain to me why servers try to memorize our order instead of writing it down. At least 50% of the time they get it wrong. Last evening our server took our order, didn’t write it down, and then stopped to take another order on the way to the order entry. We waited an extra 15 minutes because mine came out wrong. What’s the thought process of servers who don’t use a pad? For the restaurant it’s an added cost if the incorrect meal has to be discarded.

Most of the restaurant servers in our local area have them I-Pad type thingies, that send orders direct to a screen in the kitchen, for the cook/chef.
Haven't seen a paper and pencil used for years.

I suppose it is possible that the order is wrong 50% of the time if you continue to go to the same restaurant and deal with the same two servers.

My experience is that my order has been correct almost 100% of the time. There have been exactly the same percentage of errors whether the the order is written down or memorized.

Heck, I have even seen errors in the order when I absolutely know it was entered correctly because I could see what I typed in the app.

Such troubles seem so far away…………

With very few exceptions, restaurants "writing down" orders isn't a restaurant, it's a slop house.

if you're paying $100/meal, staff should be smart enough and competent enough, to get it right in their head unless you have a table for 8+.

If you're paying less than $100/plate and your order is being "written down", please tell me where you're going to eat, so I can avoid it.

They almost always get it right. Could be to impress us and get bigger tips

Too many fingers in pot. Too many chiefs in kitchen.:oops:

If you’re paying $100 plate who’s making the mistakes? :cryin2:

What???

What about the server who listens to your order and then asks you to repeat something literally 3 seconds later?

Also, I do not understand why restaurants don't use an abacus to add up the tariff. Anything else is such old school!

Write it down? Obviously you don’t eat out often and are still living in the 20th century.

On the plus side, they are trying?

I am particularly impressed with the servers who can remember an order out of "When Harry Met Sally:"

I want a cheeseburger but hold the cheese. I'll have all the toppings but could I have the ketchup on the side and the tomato sliced not too thick and I would like the bacon cut in half so it doesn't hang off the side. And a diet coke with just a little ice.

Pencils? Do they still make them? So 1950s…:icon_bored: besides last couple generations can’t write anyway? :024:

The only thing servers get wrong, when I order, is they put lemon in my water. I always say no lemon and 50% of the time I get lemon.