What Does
Learn the restaurant 86ing system, how to communicate sold-out items to staff & customers, and update digital menus instantly.
Quick Answer
Ever heard your kitchen staff say \'86 the paneer tikka\'? This classic restaurant term means an item is out of stock and unavailable. The phrase originated in American diners but is now used in kitchens worldwide, including Indian restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
Overview
Ever heard your kitchen staff say '86 the paneer tikka'? This classic restaurant term means an item is out of stock and unavailable. The phrase originated in American diners but is now used in kitchens worldwide, including Indian restaurants across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
How to Handle 86'd Items Professionally
First, update your staff immediately when an item runs out. Your servers should know before customers ask. For printed menus, use a small 'unavailable today' board at the entrance. If you're using digital QR menus like DineCard (dinecard.in), you can update availability in real-time from your phone in seconds.
Quick Communication Tips
See the breakdown below.
- Tell servers which items are 86'd during pre-shift briefings
- Have backup suggestions ready (if dal makhani is out, recommend paneer butter masala)
- Never let customers order unavailable items—inform them upfront
- Track which items run out frequently to improve inventory planning
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell customers an item is sold out without reprinting menus?
Pause the item in DineCard — it disappears or shows as unavailable on every customer's phone instantly. No table tents, no server apologies, no outdated printed menus.
Can I update my QR menu when prices or items change?
Yes. With DineCard at dinecard.in, you edit items or prices from any phone and every customer scanning your QR code sees the update within seconds. The physical QR sticker never changes — only the menu behind it.
How much does a digital QR menu cost for an Indian restaurant?
DineCard offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card. After that, plans start at ₹99/month — a fraction of what most restaurants spend reprinting menus each quarter.
Does DineCard work with Hindi and regional language menus?
Yes. Upload a photo of your printed menu and DineCard AI extracts items in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali and 15+ languages automatically.
Pause menu items instantly — no reprinting
When stock runs low, toggle items off in DineCard and every customer scanning your QR code sees the update within seconds. ₹99/month, 14-day free trial.
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