I'm actually OK with QR code menus, but only when done well. It's nice to be able to place an order and pay anytime without having to wait for a waiter to come by or have them constantly bother you.
However, I've run into a lot of really poorly done QR code menus that just don't work 50% of the time.
Experientially, sending the whole party to their phones is a buzz kill and I’d reckon likely causes delays in ordering and consensus as people get distracted. Conversely, some places let you pay the check on mobile which is choice as fuck.
QR menus are the first thing that popped into my mind too. SO irritating.
There's two places (one restaurant and one brewery) near me that was only QR menus for a long time and recently they've switched back to physical ones and it's so much better
Plus, my shit phone takes multiple attempts for the reader to actually work, then I have to download the PDF for the menu (one of the reasons my phone is shitty is because everything fights for device storage space).
Just give me the plastic coated pages of a menu to page through. I promise I won't wipe my boogies on the pages or lick my fingers while browsing.