Recent articles have pointed out that millennials are unwilling to spend money on things that the older generations have considered necessities. Instead of signing on for soul-crushing mortgages, we rent apartments. Instead of diving right into having kids, we adopt dogs. We’ve spent more time on self-care than on appearing masculine or independent. Therapy is no longer a taboo, and healthy, organic food is worth spending time and money on.
But let’s be honest – occasionally, we like to treat ourselves. Whether that means eating out at a vegan restaurant or binging on junk food once a month, what we spend on food still matters to us.
Staying home and making your own meals has been proven to be cheaper, but technology has made it easy to compromise. Instead of being tempted to order everything on the menu – including appetizers and a few drinks – ordering from home can cut down on unnecessary extras and on gas usage as well.
The following apps can be downloaded quickly and easily to help you satisfy that craving. Find the one that fits your lifestyle, and give it a try! You might find that treating yourself occasionally is easier, and cheaper, than you thought.
1. Grubhub
The app itself is free, but just a heads up – some restaurants on here might charge a delivery fee. It’s used widely in over 900 cities and is available for both Android and Apple users.
Customers have the option to search by what’s in the area, by cuisine type (Thai, Pub, Mexican, etc.), or by what they’re craving. For example – want those tacos you’ve been thinking about since Tuesday? Just type it in the search bar and see what’s nearby.
The downside to Grubhub is that customers aren’t exactly pleased with the way customer service handles issues when there are any. It doesn’t seem to happen frequently, but it might be too much to expect excellent resolutions when problems do arise.
2. UberEats
UberEats is also available for iPhone and Android users. In the United States it’s more likely to be the option you want to go for if you live in a larger city, as quality of service and restaurant variety do rely on how densely populated your area is.
Users are prompted to search by delivery address first to make sure the app actually services your area.
Unlike Grubhub, UberEats does charge a delivery fee from the company itself. It’s $5, so larger orders might be worth this cost, but if you’re just lusting after a few eggrolls…maybe hold off on using this app.
This app actually has the worst reviews as far as customer service. Not only are they bad at resolving complaints, they don’t issue full refunds for deliveries gone wrong. Drivers also have the option to deliver more than one order at a time, which means that you might not be first on their list and your food could be sitting in the back seat for a bit. But they do have delivery tracking and can provide an ETA for when your order will arrive.
3. DoorDash
Out of the three options presented here DoorDash has the best reviews. The drivers are lauded by both users of the app and the restaurant staff that process the orders. It seems to be an easy process on all fronts, but it isn’t as widely available as Grubhub or UberEats.
DoorDash also does the best job at recommending restaurants in the area, as it allows users to rate food and experience through “DoorDash Delight.” As with UberEats, delivery fees are around $5, but they have exceptionally better customer service. Both Android and iPhone users have access to this app.
Site navigation is also user-friendly with options to search by food type (pizza, ice cream, sushi), area, or user reviews.
Perhaps the most appealing part about using food delivery apps is that it saves time. You won’t need to worry about how long it takes to get a table or how far away you’ll have to drive to pick up your order.
Most apps are self-explanatory and easy to use, so what you really want to look for is how receptive customer service is to solving any issues that might come up and what kind of variety the app offers.
Grubhub allows users to satisfy their cravings by utilizing multiple search options. UberEats is great for those living in large cities, and DoorDash seems to be all-around pleasing for its customers. Whether you use an Android or an iPhone, food delivery no longer has to be seen as the lazy option. If anything, it saves time for those of us with busy lives – people who also enjoy good food!
And, as an added bonus, the companies involved also create jobs for individuals living in the community. It’s a win-win situation for users, employees, and restaurants.