I have traveled to the USA since 1980,when more than one person is eating together,it is always worth asking for separate checks when ordering so that you only pay for one meal.Waiters are usually happy to do this as they may get a bigger combined tip than based on the total amount.
Having said that,in the early days,to avoid running out of cash,sometimes we would pay the total bill by card,in turn,although you need a good mathematician in group to work out who owes what. At times the same $20 went back and forth several times during the course of the trip.