[6ren]

Counterpoint: do restaurant customers (i.e. ordinary people) also think these websites are awful? When I see a website like that, I just think "it's not targeting me".

Also, I've actually given up on all websites of non-internet companies, including big retailers. It's just too tedious to find information, too slow loading. Their mobile sites often load quicker. but have even less info. You're better off ringing them.

(BTW: the kind of info I'm talking about is like opening hours - and often when they do post that info... it's wrong Yes. It is actually worse than useless).

[brudgers]

I think restaurant customers find restaurant websites, largely irrelevant.

Who the hell picks a restaurant by conducting a websearch to compare features as if entrees were laptops? I'm sure someone does, but most people pick a restaurant because they have been there and know what they are in for, or because someone they know has been there and recommended it.

[corin_]

Actually I know quite a few people who do that, myself included. Sure, past experience and advice from friends plays a big part, but even then I'll google for the menu in advance, pretty much just to get a feel for the place.

Also, if you or anyone you know is the slightest bit fussy when it comes to food, it's worth knowing in advance. For example I love pretentious restaurants where what the food looks like on the plate is important. My dad, on the other hand, doesn't - he wants basic food that tastes good, and plenty of it (admitedly I enjoy that too..), not original creations in small portions. He wants chips, not dauphinoise potatoes.

My sister on the other hand doesn't care about the type of cooking, but is very fussy on what she wants to eat in a restaurant. There are literally a few dishes she wants to eat, most of which are likely to be found in grill restaurants, pub restaurants, etc. So, whenever I'm eating with either of them, it's good to be able to look up the type of food available.

edit: Oh, and another case - when you need a restaurant and neither you nor people you know have any experience to base your choice on. What harm is there in taking a look at menus and trying to guess which you will like more. Maybe you'll still pick a bad one, but at least you tried not to.

[tomkarlo]

"Counterpoint: do restaurant customers (i.e. ordinary people) also think these websites are awful?"

I notice that regular customers mostly use Yelp, OpenTable or just plain Google to look up a restaurant's phone number or location. That suggests to me that they've learned that going to the actual web site is usually a bad bet.

[justincormack]

I dont think they find them most of the time. The flash sites have such bad SEO that normally I find a review or comparison site first.