An interactive system and method allows customers to electronically place and pay for menu orders without wait staff intervention at food service establishments and which processes orders. The invention has at least one ordering device with data input, a display, and wireless communications, and one or more computer servers for processing menu orders and payments. The ordering devices and computer servers cooperatively utilize means for adding a menu item to an order from a list or entering a code; means for wirelessly transmitting orders to food preparation areas; means on a terminal and a mobile device to use cashless payment mediums; means for identifying the dining party leader; means for consolidating a customer's reward points; means for offering discounts and accepting coupons; means for pre-ordering menu items; means for reserving seating; means for accessing the internet from a terminal; and means for splitting orders for batch processing.