Deliver Me From Hunger

by Alyssa Levine

Opinions expressed in this articles do not necessarily represent the point of view of Best Served. In furtherance of bringing more voices to the table, we are committed to sharing varied thinking throughout the industry.

According to the US Census Bureau, more than 25 million Americans as of this year [2021] work multiple jobs to make ends meet. So it’s really no wonder why we cook less, and order in more. While food delivery is an amazing concept that gives us both pleasure and convenience, it has its benefits for both customers and restaurants alike, as well as its downsides.

For the last six years, I have worked full time for a company in New York City where I often worked late hours, and had a 1.5 hour commute each way. I took up small side hustles to help supplement my income, and eventually started a second job. I was also working on my blog, as well as my health and fitness, and the only free time I had was to sleep.

Beyond burnt out, I ordered food delivery nearly everyday. It was the only way I knew how to take care of myself with everything I had to do, even before I began my second job. I just didn’t have the time to cook, and when I did, I didn’t have the energy. 

Self-care is important, and sometimes self-care looks like an order of General Tso’s chicken with pork fried rice.

My story is not unique, I’ve known many others like myself who relied on delivery, and would often skip meals rather than cook. While it’s mutually beneficial for the neighborhood restaurants who are considerably more discoverable due to delivery apps that place their menus directly in front of hungry customers eyes, there is often a negative perception surrounding food apps and those who use them.

Food delivery apps changed the game for neighborhood restaurants, especially those off the beaten path. Unfortunately, you are paying more due to fees, and the delivery app companies keep a nice chunk for themselves, leaving restaurants with a much smaller profit than if you had ordered directly from them. 

While there is a decrease in profit per order, it was stated by another participant during the Best Served podcast episode about food delivery apps last Sunday with Jensen Cummings I had the privilege of being part of, that food delivery apps are like more affordable marketing, and this couldn’t be more accurate. 

A colleague of mine, whose family owns a restaurant in the Bronx, expressed that while delivery apps decreased their profit per order, it increased their profit overall, as the amount of customers who ordered from them was significantly higher than ever before.

Sure, we should try to order directly from the restaurants we love and support when we can, but it’s not always that simple. I lived in NYC my entire life, where you could call most restaurants and place an order for delivery, and some even have their own delivery websites or apps (which unfortunately often are not user friendly). 

Now that I live in Delaware however, it’s very different. Many restaurants do not have their own delivery people, and ordering from them over the phone or online is often limited to pick-up. It’s simpler here, since everyone drives, and the more laid-back lifestyle doesn’t perpetuate a constant need for food delivery. That being said, it is still desired, and very often the only way you’re getting the food you want delivered is through delivery apps which provide drivers and broader discoverability. 

I’m sure there are ways to improve the delivery app process for restaurants and customers alike. But before we continue to lay on the food-delivery-app-guilt, restaurants should understand that customers have chosen to spend their money on them. They love your food, and delivery apps offer the convenience that inspired them to order in the first place.

On the flip side, customers need to be respectful as well, especially when there are inevitably mistakes. It’s important you don’t report an issue with your order to the app before you’ve contacted the restaurant. They’re usually all too happy to fix any issue for you, because otherwise the delivery app credits customers without due investigation and the restaurants lose even more profit.

Before delivery apps, there was darkness. Then... there was food. Delivery apps connect restaurants with their communities, and while there are improvements to be made for the success of restaurants and the convenience of customers, they play a significant role in all of our lives.

My name is Alyssa Levine, I’m a Food Writer & Blogger, Foodtographer, Social Media Consultant, and Micro-Influencer. But above all, I'm a food enthusiast with a passion for history and culinary traditions. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I had the privilege of being able to experience food from around the world, even if I couldn’t board a plane. Chefs, restaurateurs and culinary professionals share their piece of the world through their creations. I love sharing their stories, and my excitement, through content creation to connect these amazing restaurants with their communities.