Your Dining Profile

We all know that internet sites track our usage and preferences, but how about your favorite restaurant? As some of us know, restaurants are indeed doing just that – noting down allergies, seating preferences, and other information, all in an effort to serve you better.

The New York Times has a great story on this phenomenon: What Restaurants Know (About You)

Increasingly, restaurants are recording whether you are a regular, a first-timer, someone who lives close by or a friend of the owner or manager. They archive where you like to sit, when you will celebrate a special occasion and whether you prefer your butter soft or hard, Pepsi over Coca-Cola or sparkling over still water. In many cases, they can trace your past performance as a diner; how much you ordered, tipped and whether you were a “camper” who lingered at the table long after dessert.

Illustration by Maria Corte Maidagan, for The New York Times