The History of Restaurant Menus

[Michie]

Modern diners take them for granted, but menus haven't always been a staple of restaurants. Before customers were given a list of dishes to choose from, they had to settle for whatever was coming out of the kitchen that day. The innovation of written menus opened the door for the explosion of the fine dining industry, the introduction of the kids' meal, and some sneaky restaurant practices.

The story of the restaurant menu is covered in the latest episode of Food History. If you've ever wondered what the first menu looked like or what kind of design tricks restaurants use to deceive diners, check out the video below.
The History of Restaurant Menus

 

[Red Gold]

Modern diners take them for granted, but menus haven't always been a staple of restaurants.

This sounds interesting!
I will read more of it!

 

[Michie]

There are still some restaurants that only serve what is cooked that day with no other choices. Mostly in rural areas.

 

[Red Gold]

There are still some restaurants that only serve what is cooked that day with no other choices. Mostly in rural areas.

And what are the most frequent tricks today?

 

[Michie]

And what are the most frequent tricks today?

I don’t usually go to them. They serve a lot of food like granny used to make.

They’ll have meatloaf Thursdays with the trimmings. Fish Friday’s, etc. I’d say the trick in those places is just convenience and fellowship. Those places seem to have their regulars.

 

[RDKirk]

Back in the 70s, one of my favorite restaurants in Waikiki was an upscale Italian restaurant called "Mama's." Basically, the menu was what "Mama" cooked that night. It was a multi-course Italian cuisine experience that normally lasted two to three hours. Then they wheelbarrowed you out to your car.

 

[Michie]

Back in the 70s, one of my favorite restaurants in Waikiki was an upscale Italian restaurant called "Mama's." Basically, the menu was what "Mama" cooked that night. It was a multi-course Italian cuisine experience that normally lasted two to three hours. Then they wheelbarrowed you out to your car.

Oh yeah. Those restaurants are great and very homey.

 

[Shane R]

Something that annoys me is restaurants that expect you to scan a QR code and view the menu on your phone. They digital version is never exactly right and they are turning off a significant portion of people who aren't using smartphones. My mother is so inept with her smartphone she can't use the digital menu and dad doesn't even use a smart phone. My grandparents don't even know what a QR code is. If you can't put something in their hand they'll get up and leave. And I've seen several places where they don't have anything printed up as a secondary option.