Waiter-less, Fully-Automated Restaurant Opens in Germany
Who has time or patience any more to deal with waiters? Apparently not Michael Mack, the proprietor of 's Bagger's (yes, it's spelled with an apostrophe-s), a one-of-a-kind, fully-automated restaurant situated on the outskirts of Nuremberg, Germany.
's Bagger's does away with a wait staff entirely. Patrons order via touchscreen computers at their tables, rather than from an impatient server who is only trying to pay his or her way through acting school. All the computers are networked and track the the level of culinary supplies left (so you'll know what they've run out of), as well as give customers an approximate wait time for their drinks and dishes.
The best part is when the food comes. Like a scene straight out of 'The Jetsons,' the plate loads of food are sent down a series spiraling rails and delivered to the diner's seat through the magic of gravity. According to one diner interviewed by Spiegel Online, the system reminded her of the automated systems used to feed pigs on farms.
The only question that remains is, when will the cooks be replaced with robots?
BTW, 's Baggers reminds us of our favorite NYC coffee place, which uses transparent pneumatic tubes to transport coffee beans to grinders. The freshly-ground coffee is then used, by actual people, to make delicious coffee. No word on whether those baristas will be replaced by robots, either.
From Engadget
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
epat said 2:40PM on 8-27-2007
Many years ago, we had the Automat restaurants in New York City which were waiterless.
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k said 3:21PM on 8-28-2007
Obviously the author of this story has never waited tables. It is a tough job, we earn every penny we make. I am a professional server who considers my job my profession! I take pride in my work. Perhaps the author of the story is not dining in the proper establishments.
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Ness said 5:57PM on 8-28-2007
Better yet, what waiters have the time and patience to deal with indecisive, impatient, flat out rude customers.
I can't wait to finish school and never have to serve another jerk again.
Comment here: http://vanessacaporale.blogspot.com
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esploriamo said 2:29PM on 8-31-2007
I have worked in restaurants for almost a decade now. I agree with K that too many people assume servers are stupid or lazy (there are a few bad apples, sure, but don't make a blanket statement): most work hard & many DO make it a profession. A good server provides a personal touch no computer can: recommending dishes & wines, creating a special touch, and sometimes a little entertainment through personality. Plus, think of lost jobs. How will they make their money now? Besides, computers break or have glitches so it's not exactly a flawless system. In a world where people are ever more distanced from the human experience, this is the last thing we need. How about a computer to solve world hunger? Oh, wait - no money to be made there. It's really kind of creepy.
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Heather said 2:30PM on 8-31-2007
Terrence O'Brien has apparently never had a job dealing directly with the general public. I have never been a waitress, but I have friends who have done it and I have worked in retail. It sucks. People, such as Terrence, treat you like you are their personal slave and talk down to you simply because waitressing and retail is typically done by students. Maybe your waiter/waitress wouldn't be so rude to you, Terrence, if you didn't walk in the restaurant with the awful attitude that you have displayed in this story. I would definitely spit in your food.
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Eeyoreasil said 3:00PM on 8-31-2007
I actually think this would be a fun and novel experience to eat there. I hardly think it's going to be the end of waitstaff. I bet it would be a lot of fun to go with a group of friends and just enjoy the sheer fun of doing something different.
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pasquale said 3:15PM on 8-31-2007
IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST
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Margaret said 3:15PM on 8-31-2007
Sounds like the set of "The Jetsons'.
Don't think I will dine in this fashion.
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Jeff said 3:29PM on 8-31-2007
Bet this reporter is a Tip Stiffer.. that means a person who does not leave a tip..
My better half has worked as a waitress for 10+ yrs.. put 2 of her 4 kids to college and has a 401k.. She also holds a Masters in Industral health and hygeine...
She has chosen not to work in her feild because she loves what she dose.. and yes thier is a big difference in the mothly check..
but in the same note.. she was sick and was off work for a week and a half.. I still haven't finshed opening all the mail ( get well cards )I was totaly blown down. I knew I had something good.. but all these people reminded me I had something GREAT!!!
Thanks, but no thanks.. I'll have a real live person get my food.
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Phoenix said 3:41PM on 8-31-2007
Years ago, in the 1960s I believe, there was a restaurant in St. Louis where your menu was delivered, your order was taken, and your food was delivered all by an electric train that ran around the counter. So much for the German's "new idea".
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matchboxchic88 said 4:13PM on 8-31-2007
Just to echo the other sentiments posted; as a waitress myself (working up and through med school) I find it sad that so many people assume waitstaff is stupid, rude, and impatient. I love my job waiting tables, because it's fun and to some limited extent, rather challenging. I do my best to accomodate anything my customers might ask for, and at least twice a night have people comment on my excellent service. Remember your waiters and waitresses are probably going to treat you well whether or not you're a hideous customer - we're so used to it. Try being novel, for a change, and give your waiter a smile and a thank you (and at least 17%)
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Jon said 4:21PM on 8-31-2007
To me, 3 things make up a good meal: good food, nice atmosphere, and a good waiter. If you have a problem with your order, is the robot going to fix it for you? Is the robot going to entertain your special requests? I can maybe see this kind of system going in at McDonalds, but not in a "real" restaurant. Yes, there are bad waiters just like there are bad cops and bad teachers. But there are many more good waiters who are working hard to make a living, and to make your dining experience a little more enjoyable.
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annie ridgeway said 4:25PM on 8-31-2007
i have been a server for 20+ years and supported my 12 year old son on my for for most of his life.we do just that, provide a service, usually with a smile no matter how rude and demanding our diners may be. replacing your server with a robot, whats next, your auto mechanic or better yet, your childs pediatrician. hopefully i dont see this any time soon
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bohemian said 4:36PM on 8-31-2007
I agree with all of you ... yes, he's probably a bad restaurant patron and a tip stiffer to boot. To imply that all servers are merely on their way to something better infuriates me. Some of us truly LOVE what we do, and the rest of us stop doing it because of attitudes like his.
http://ontheside.blogstream.com
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LeeAnn said 4:41PM on 8-31-2007
I grew up in New York City, and as a child we had Automats for food that were owned by the Horn and Hardett (sic?) company. Back then I remember a casserole dish of piping hot Macaroni and Cheese was like fifteen cents, and hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate was a nickel. Most items required nickels and dimes and a cashier station was in the center of the large dining area. There was also an area like a cafeteria style set-up where you could purchase a full plate meal rather than a la carte.
I realize prices have gone up, but the food they served was excellent. I only wish the company were still in business.
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hlynghtfrgddss said 4:42PM on 8-31-2007
I've been a server for almost ten years now, and I've never been considered rude, lazy, or stupid. Living in a smaller town, most of my customers are regulars that I know almost as well as my own family. Your waitstaff is what personalizes a dining experience and when you cut them out, it's not as much fun. You might as well hit the drive through at McDonalds.
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Donna Rhodes said 4:42PM on 8-31-2007
I will take a "real live person" any dayrather than a "machine". I enjoy going out to eat and your waitress/waiter is only as nice as you're, they pickup on your aura and maybe the people who get or have had "bad service" should think about their own attitude!!!!!
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kim said 4:43PM on 8-31-2007
I co-own a restaurant and we have very good servers that work for us. They are not stupid by any means and they know many of our usual customers by name and have their food for them. They are working their way through college. Some are trying to support a family and go to school also. Without them we would not have the customers we do.
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KeAahrii said 4:57PM on 8-31-2007
Ah yes, the impatient waiter, who may have other tables waiting to order, while you tell them you are ready, then take 20 minutes to decide if you want coffee or soda, because you don't know if you want breakfast or dinner. The same waiter, who , everytime they are near your table, you need something else, and to heck with any other patrons they might be taking care of, you get mad at for taking one extra minute to return.
Try becoming a regular at your favorite restaurant,leave decent tips, and see if the service doesn't improve.
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Ben said 5:09PM on 8-31-2007
I think some people writing in this post are making too big of a deal out of this. This is a gimmick for this particular restaurant. I'm sure nobody is suggesting that this is the "wave of the future"... Maybe the author suggested that, but I'm sure he was trying to make his article sound interesting. I think it's funny actually. Who do you talk to if a dead cat on a platter comes rolling down that thing instead of your order? :) I'll bet the machine takes payment up front!
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