Google has added a neat new feature to its search engine that now allows users to see restaurant menus directly in search results.
Instead of having to access each of your favorite restaurants' websites to check out what they have to offer, those tempting menus are now just one Google search away. With the new feature, you can simply type in "show me the menu for" followed by the name of the restaurant you're interested in and Google will retrieve a list of available menus.
"Next time you're planning a brunch or a date night, check to make sure the menu has something to satisfy everyone in your group, without having to browse through several restaurants' websites," Google explains in a company blog post on Google+. "Just search Google to show you the menu for the eatery you're considering and you can see it right on the top of your search page-complete with tabs for different parts of the menu (like appetizers, brunch or dinner) and, often, prices-before you make your reservations."
The feature is currently available only to Google search users in the U.S. for now, but it should become available in other markets in the future, as Google gathers more relevant info on user activity. A quick test of the feature will reveal some neat functionality, but also a few hiccups, as expected with a new service in its early beginnings.
This move marks an important step forward for Google, not only because rival search engines such as Yahoo or Bing may find it difficult to imitate this functionality, but also because it will bring some competition to dedicated apps such as Yelp and Foursquare. Many users may find it easier to just type in a search query in Google rather than launching a dedicated app, but it remains to be seen how it all pans out.
For now, Google search users in the U.S. can try out this new feature and find the menus they're looking for with less hassle and no additional app. If you've already given it a shot, drop by our comment section below and let us know what you think of it.
