Re: Piecepack gourmet

["Brett Paul" <brettp@...>]

> I don't go out to eat much (constraints of a nuclear family and post-
> nuclear budget!) but, the other night, while waiting at the
> restuarant for my meal to arrive, it struck me that the 20-30 minutes
> of "waiting" could be gainfully turned into active gaming time
> (depending on who your fellow diners are, of course!).

Cracker Barrel does this by putting puzzle games on the table. The little wooden blocks with puzzles on them, populated by golf tees for playing pieces. They also sell these puzzles. This is a fairly low-cost type of game that can be put out, and its pieces replaced inexpensively. Unfortunately, you have to watch for pieces or whole games walking away.

You *could* require patrons to surrender their license or similar collateral, and only then give them a game to play while they wait.

On the other hand, the game can't be too terribly complex. Give them a 30-minute-to-play game and they're liable to walk out, not wanting to wait that long for food. Enter: video games and trivia. Video games are hand-held any more, and can be set aside with no cleanup when the food arrives.

Another way to counteract the cleanup requirement is to have a separate area for game playing. Invite your customers to place their order, then go play a game in the game room. They'll be notified when their dinner is ready, and the staff would have to clean up after them. This would allow patrons to make use of the game room area for both while waiting for food or waiting for a table (which can be substantial on popular nights).

That said, there's someone on the yahoogroup SpielFrieks who has set up a public gaming event at a restaurant/bar in Colorado. I haven't heard an update of how it's been going, but would like to try to make it out there to see how it is going.

- Brett
www.OrcSports.com