Delis are going viral for horrifying AI-slop menus. I called one to try to understand why they did it.
Horrifying Reubens and nauseating circle shrimp are hot new menu items.
A recent trend in Chicago delis has been the use of AI-generated menus, which has sparked controversy. Chris Murphy, a server at a downtown Chicago restaurant, was shocked when he noticed the AI-generated images on the menu of Chi-Town Deli, featuring perfectly round shrimp and a Reuben sandwich that looked like vomit. Upon inquiry, the deli's manager, Ali Malik, explained that the AI-generated images were used as placeholders while they awaited a delivery of real photographs.
Murphy and others have expressed their disbelief at the quality of these AI-generated menus, with some even calling them "horror food menus." This phenomenon appears to be part of a larger trend, as other restaurants and delis have also been using AI for their menus and signs, often resulting in unsettling results. The trend highlights the growing use of AI in small businesses, driven by rising costs and tight margins, despite the poor quality of the generated images.
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