You can in Japan. They're about the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and an inch thick. You can see pictures of all the food and add it to your order by touching it. Then when you want to place your order you press the OK button. They have these in restaurants and Japanese style bars. You can also play games, read news and fortunes on them and they're at every table.

Hey Paisano - there is a gas station chain (called Sheetz) in parts of the USA that does that for their deli! It's great! You order what bread, meats, cheeses, toppings, and even a variety of mustards for your deli sandwiches! It is ALL done on a touch screen!

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I'm doing a research about it!!! It's very usefull!!!There are already some restaurant using this technology!But it still have to increase the usage :D

nice idea but in my country (germany) i think it takes a while until this will have a public release somewhere.

there is a company that does this sort of thing in the us: menulogic.comfrom what i hear, they went live with their product at the marriott marquis in nyc and the response was positive.

I think this idea is excellent - I have been wondering when this would finally come. It seems so feasable - a screen at each table where the menu is always up to date (anything not available that day, is taken off, and this is immediately reflected on each table's computer!). Drink order and table number are electronically sent to the bar, and food orders and table number are sent to the kitchen. Payment by debit card could be done on the table screen too! The restaurant only needs to employ half as many waiting staff, and accuracy is all but guaranteed! I am interested in a_flama's research, as I am researching this too! There is Bytes in Canterbury, England, Uwink in the USA, and thank you so much to au1650 for telling me about the menulogic company!

Hi, I've been thinking about this idea like 4 months ago. I believe it is good. Actually in this moment I'm doing with other friend a research work about costing and feasibility. If someone of you have already information about this, we can exchange something. Bye!!

I wrote a software for this when worked for a company. In the dinner room, they have a touchscreen system and the employees could select different menu options, when finish, the software emits a ticket and the employees wait in a line to get their selection. The system works very well, so i know your idea is good.

I think this idea is spreading. It is great in that it eliminates waiting for an order to be taken-and then could be used to eliminate waiting for your check afterward (a little paper tape printout could be added beneath the screen for taking to the cash register-or a credit card could be used right at the table).

Hi, I m doing masters in product design from London, as research project I choose touch screen restaurant menu on table. There are some restaurant using this technology, if someone have knowledge related this topic, please convey as its very useful for me to make it more efficient.

Hi all,

This is a GREAT idea and actually there is a company in the UK called Restaurant Innovations that produced an Automated Ordering System called iServe that does exactly what you say!!! Their website is www.restaurantinnovations.co.uk and they have got a video clip which is very cool to illustrate the concept. Check it out.

From what I understand, they also have a protable solution so you can get an electronic menu in your hands.

Instead of a touch screen I would suggest a Nintendo DS – a hand held game device. They have Wi-Fi build-in and cost only $129.00 (US). As long as you keep them in the restaurant they could prove to be very flexable.

In Toronto, they definitely have this available at some Asian tea shops that have cubicle-like areas. But why stop with just getting the waiter's attention? Why not have the full-scale computerized experience that would include order-taking, order verification, and menu browsing?

I co-founded a start-up two years ago with exactly that concept in mind. We developed the .java program and purchased a kiosk on which to run it. Our prototype worked great. It had a wireless printing capability (for orders to be sent to kitchen) and magnetic swiper for credit cards. Unfortunately, we never found investors and had to dissolve our business. That said, I would consider reviving the business under the right conditions. If anyone is serious about implementing the concept, send me an email at: olivier.muyshondt@yale.edu. I learned many lessons along the way (specifically regarding the restaurant industry) that might be helpful in your endeavor.

We have been working on this one for last 7 months. Indeed, a great concept, but this is a Niche' market product. Anybody Interested in Investing in this technology??? :-) ..!!

Now you're thinking! Why stop there? Request more rolls or a refill on your tea..pay your tab and leave a tip, comment or suggestion all from the same screen. This idea is great, especially for people unable to speak.

I have created a touch screen restaurant way back in 1995. With Microsoft surface being launched soon, I think a lot have been done now.