Maybe it’s just me, but since I both eat a lot and am constantly connected online, I can’t fathom why some restaurants don’t have websites. Really, it’s not hard to run into some wank who can set up a WordPress blog in a few hours (*cough*). Even a splash page with an address and telephone number would suffice.

Actually, I’ll take the latter over the overused and overwrought Flash intros that impede my getting to what I want – usually an address or a phone number. Ugh. And don’t get me started on mystery-meat navigation.

However, even worse than no website is a broken and outdated one. With everyone owning some kind of smartphone and downloading applications to extend their amusement on the go, restaurants should be primed to take advantage of the indecisive masses. Like a Magic 8-Ball, give the Urbanspoon iPhone app a shake and your answer will be revealed. Alas, when you get there, it’s closed! Too bad that the information taken from the resto’s website was wrong. Net result? Disgruntled and irritated people who will share their misfortune with others the following day. Not the best way to let people know about your change of hours.

It’s probably because I do this day in and day out, but it’s just so trivial to get something set up and to maintain. Not only that, it shouldn’t be any harder (or less essential) than getting business cards or putting an ad into the local paper. Every time I can’t find a website or more frequently, a bad one, I have the urge to contact the owners and plead with them to just let me fix things! A meal in exchange for a splash page – everyone wins!

Sometimes, I feel like I need to carry a sign – Will Code For Food.

Really.