I was always really skeptical of online orders pertaining to any kind of product. Whether that be clothing or food, I was that kid that would get their mom to double-check the shipping address despite having it memorized. The age of mobile orders came and took over the service industry. Growing up in a generation so oversaturated by an immense amount of new age technology all at once, why wouldn’t they add another “convenient” service giving an excuse not to drive and meet face to face with workers? 

Not to sound tone deaf, everyone’s circumstances are different. If mobile orders are 100% more convenient for you, because maybe you’re in a rush or are shy when it comes to ordering in person and long lines give you anxiety, then mobile order till you die, fully supporting you. 

A lot of thought and personal experience went into my idea for this piece. I have been doing my own research for months now. Every establishment I placed a mobile order to, it has taken longer than it did for me to drive over there, then it would have if I would have placed an order when I arrived there. 

The most ridiculous circumstances are when I have a friend who lives a mile and a half away from the restaurant they are placing a mobile order to. It reeks of laziness. 

A good majority of the time, it takes me a while to settle on a decision on what I want to eat at a restaurant, so being in the ambiance and getting in the mood for whatever I am eating thoroughly excites me. 

Nevertheless, some people are extremely comfortable without knowing exactly where their food and drinks are coming from, myself included. However I take back a little bit of that power when I go in and meet someone face to face when I’m ordering. I don’t want to sound high maintenance. but I unfortunately do believe that you receive better quality service and food when converse with workers and enjoy the  conversation. 

It’s refreshing to see the people who will handmake what you’re choosing to enjoy that day. Mobile orders have taken away the experience of really treating yourself. Everyone remembers the excitement of pulling up to McDonald’s after school and ordering what they wanted. Do you want to take away the experience of entering your favorite restaurant for the measly five minutes you save by mobile ordering? Or are you just lazy?

Blair Bernard is a 20-year-old theater performance major from Lafayette, LA.