Fast Food A.I. and High-Tech Dining: How Restaurants Are Changing in Montana

There was a time when I was impressed when a waitperson didn't write down my order. They were able to just use their memory, for me that was like watching a magic trick. These days, a person using a pad and pencil seems like ancient history, compared to what we are seeing in restaurants.

Fast food restaurants have made advances. One that seems to be confusing for some people is the double drive through lanes that you see at McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out whose turn it is to go forward. There has also been the advancement of A.I. at your local Taco Bell. You aren't speaking with a human when you place your order. The A.I. now asks if you want to round up your order to help local school children. So far the A.I. hasn't made any mistakes on my orders, and I always have changes.

Read More: Don't Be Surprised When a Computer Greets You At Missoula Drive-Thrus

Recently I went to eat at the newly opened Plaza Azteca restaurant in Missoula and was surprised to see a robot delivering food to a table. It is not only able to deliver the food it also keeps the food warm. They also have handheld credit card devices that are able to process your payment right at the table. This isn't a brand new technology, and it is now becoming more common, but it is one that I think every restaurant should use. I have never been comfortable handing my credit card to a stranger and trusting that they will do the right thing with it. There have been a handful of times when I have been given someone else's charge card from a server.

Who knows what we will see next when it comes to restaurant technology? One thing I do know is Plaza Azteca mixes the old with the new. When you order the table side guacamole, it is made right in front of your eyes. There is no robot, or tablet in sight, for now.