Why Restaurants Take Away Menus and Why It’s Beneficial

Understanding the Motivation behind the Practice

The act of taking away the menu after a diner has placed their order is a common practice in the restaurant industry. This seemingly small gesture can significantly enhance the dining experience, reduce clutter, and ensure a smoother service process. But why do restaurants opt to take away the menus?

At the heart of this practice is often the cost associated with menu productions and maintenance. Before the advent of high-quality home printing technologies, menus had to be professionally designed, printed, and laminated. This process was both time-consuming and costly. With advances in printing technology, the need for professional printing services has diminished, but the practice of removing menus after an order is placed persists due to its practical benefits.

Reasons Restaurants Take Away Menus

There are three primary reasons why restaurants take away menus:

Making Staff Aware: Taking away the menu serves as a visual cue to the waiting staff that a table has been taken and food has been ordered. This prevents them from making additional unnecessary trips to the table, thereby improving efficiency and service speed. Preventing Wear and Tear: Diners often accidentally spill food or drink on the menus, causing damage. Removing the menu prevents this and maintains the pristine appearance of the tables. Enhancing Table Space: Once an order is placed, the menu is no longer needed at the table. Taking it away frees up space for the food, allowing for a more organized and clutter-free dining environment.

A Personal Example: Ivan and His Friend’s Dining Experience

Let’s illustrate this with a personal example. Imagine Ivan and I entering a restaurant and being given menus. We order a shared antipasto of fried pumpkin flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies, followed by Ivan’s tonnarelli cacio e pepe and my spaghettoni con vongole veraci. We both also peruse the wine card and order a full-bodied white wine that pairs well with our dishes. Once our first course arrives, we no longer need the menu. Removing it makes more space for our food, drinks, and later desserts, enhancing our overall experience.

The Evolution in Menu Management

With modern technology, the lack of menus is not as inconvenient as it once was. Some restaurants are experimenting with QR codes placed under glass tables, allowing diners to access the menu digitally. In other settings, such as in India, menus may be permanently displayed on walls, reducing the need for continual replacing. No matter the method, the waitstaff remains on standby, ready to bring back a new menu if a diner wishes to order something else or substitute a dish.

Conclusion

The practice of taking away menus post-order is a strategic move that enhances the dining experience by reducing clutter, ensuring efficient service, and improving the overall ambiance. Whether through traditional methods of removing menus or innovative digital solutions, this simple gesture contributes significantly to customer satisfaction and the overall enjoyment of dining at a restaurant.