MyCheck App Takes the Wait Out of Paying Your Restaurant Bill

It’s often the only really disappointing aspect of an otherwise perfect dining out experience. And when it happens, it happens last and thus leaves a bad taste in your mouth – even when the food just eaten was actually delicious. I’m talking, of course, about simply trying to get your server’s attention at the end of a meal so you can pay your bill and move on. I reckon it’s my top complaint about London restaurants. Now there’s new (to London) restaurant bill payment app, MyCheck, aiming to do away with the hassle of waiting for someone else to process that payment and to put you in control of when can get up to go. I recently tried MyCheck and was impressed … and relieved that the answer to an elusive waiter might be only a click away.

You know the scene. You and your party are seated quickly with prompt service on the front end and every order filled to satisfaction. But then when the meal is over and you’re ready to go, catching your server’s attention becomes a game of hide-and-go-seek. You’ve got your hand half raised in air as if you’re an unsure student in the classroom of a strict teacher with your index finger darting up and down like you’re bidding at an auction. Meanwhile, the people who waited on your table go about their business seemingly intent to never making eye contact with any other living being for the rest of their lives – or at least for the rest of your evening out. Indeed, sometimes it’s like you haven’t a moment to even glance at the menu before asked what you want to choose. But then come time to pay – to give them something – there’s no one around and you’re made to feel like a jerk for simply wanting to complete a straightforward transaction.

Now available for use in London – at the moment only at Busaba Eathai and Prezzo outlets (but more locations to be rolled out soon) – MyCheck is a free app for iPhone and Android that’s designed to take the wait out of paying a restaurant bill by enabling users to pay straight from their phone and “making that sometimes lengthy and frustrating wait for the bill or credit/debit card receipt a thing of the past.”

During a recent lunch at the Covent Garden Busaba, I was introduced to MyCheck with my party’s bill being paid via MyCheck. From what I saw, I thought it was a handy app with lots of smart bells and whistles to allow a bill to be split – either evenly, by percentage or by item and then work out how much to tip. Basically, all that was required was to check in to Busaba as you would on Foursquare or Facebook and to let our server know we were going to use the app to pay … and then let the good times and the gorgeous ginger and peppercorn calamari roll!

MyCheck is of Israeli origin. It’s apparently already big hit there as well as in New York where “it’s accepted at full-service restaurants, quick-service shops, hair salons, spas, and more.” Find out more at uk.mycheckapp.com or download it now for free.