Why not use a pad and pencil?

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Old 03-12-2024, 06:13 AM
thevillager1988 thevillager1988 is offline
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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.
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Old 03-12-2024, 06:57 AM
Two Bills Two Bills is offline
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Originally Posted by thevillager1988 View Post
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.
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Old 03-12-2024, 07:10 AM
Bill14564 Bill14564 is offline
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Originally Posted by thevillager1988 View Post
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.
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.
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Old 03-12-2024, 07:20 AM
Bogie Shooter Bogie Shooter is offline
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Old 03-12-2024, 09:15 AM
BrianL99 BrianL99 is offline
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Originally Posted by thevillager1988 View Post
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.
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.
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Old 03-12-2024, 09:15 AM
Stu from NYC Stu from NYC is offline
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They almost always get it right. Could be to impress us and get bigger tips
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Old 03-12-2024, 09:18 AM
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Old 03-12-2024, 09:20 AM
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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+.h

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.
If you’re paying $100 plate who’s making the mistakes?
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Old 03-13-2024, 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by BrianL99 View Post
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.
What???
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Old 03-13-2024, 06:57 AM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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What about the server who listens to your order and then asks you to repeat something literally 3 seconds later?
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Old 03-13-2024, 07:25 AM
dougjb dougjb is offline
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Also, I do not understand why restaurants don't use an abacus to add up the tariff. Anything else is such old school!
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Old 03-13-2024, 07:37 AM
Girlcopper Girlcopper is offline
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Originally Posted by thevillager1988 View Post
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.
Write it down? Obviously you don’t eat out often and are still living in the 20th century.
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Old 03-13-2024, 08:05 AM
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What about the server who listens to your order and then asks you to repeat something literally 3 seconds later?
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.
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Old 03-13-2024, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by thevillager1988 View Post
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.
Pencils? Do they still make them? So 1950s… besides last couple generations can’t write anyway?
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Old 03-13-2024, 08:26 AM
airstreamingypsy airstreamingypsy is offline
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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.
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