Restaurant’s Robot Waiter Gets Mixed Reactions in Small Oregon Town, Angering Some

Wow, guys! You will not believe what’s happening in our small, quiet town of Estacada, Oregon! Picture this: you walk into your favorite local haunt, The Cazadero, and instead of Sherry Andrus, the ever-smiling owner, or one of the human servers approaching, it’s a 3.5-foot-tall robot named Plato. I know, right? Just like something out of a sci-fi movie!

Nestled on the picturesque banks of the Clackamas River, The Cazadero Steakhouse is more than just a restaurant for the residents and visitors of Estacada. This beloved icon, previously known as The Cazadero Inn, is where culinary magic happens. From luscious berry pancakes for breakfast to house smoked prime rib for dinner, the Cazadero serves a slew of 5-star dishes that tantalize your taste buds. All meals are carefully crafted from premium ingredients and prepared from scratch upon order. Now, this cherished local eatery has become the backdrop for an unexpected and exciting tale.

Some residents are thrilled with our shiny new buddy. They’ve embraced this change with open arms, and I can see why. Imagine being recognized by a robot and served your favorite beer as soon as you sit down? Cool, isn’t it? Yet, for others, it’s been a bit of a shocker, triggering a reaction of fear and anger. Some even pledged never to step foot in the restaurant again. Talk about a surprise!

Born in Paris and crafted in Europe, Plato made its grand debut courtesy of United Robotics Group at an Orlando-based restaurant trade show in November. (Image by The Cazadero)

Sherry didn’t bring in Plato to stir the pot, though. She’s been having a tough time finding enough servers to keep the restaurant buzzing. With Oregon’s minimum wage now sitting at a hefty $14.20 per hour and the rising food prices, it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for her since she took over in 2018. And, let’s not forget about the challenge of luring servers to our remote location 45 minutes away from Portland.

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