Ordering takeout is supposed to be the ultimate convenience, but for many unsuspecting diners it can quickly turn into a culinary catastrophe.
With nearly 70 percent of US diners ordering delivery in just the past month, according to DoorDash, the prevalence of online ordering has never been so popular.
But even as ordering on-the-go skyrockets, the actual experience is often disappointing.
Cold food, long wait times, bizarrely dismembered meals and missing items can leave diners regretting every bite … and the many pretty pennies spent.
With nearly 70 percent of US diners ordering delivery in just the past month, according to DoorDash , the prevalence of online ordering has never been so popular
To better avoid a ‘gravy situation’ you can implement a few strategies to better emulate the coveted dine-in experience from home.
As dozens of smartphone applications have placed hundreds of delicious dishes at our fingertips, choosing the wrong dish can be the deciding factor in your make at-home meal.
Among the most popular foods to order online are French fries – which are often grossly soggy by the time they reach your mouth – chicken quesadillas and mozzarella sticks.
But when it comes to candidates for delivery this could hardly be a worse list.
Fried foods often steam in their packaging, turning mushy and nearly inedible, cheese can clot into a chewy, greasy mess and lukewarm food is rarely a better option than ‘fresh out the oven.’
Ordering with apps like UberEats, Grubhub and DoorDash can also be a costly factor in the quality of your meal as fees and tips quickly add up.
Such apps are known to implement hefty service fees, easily tacking 20 percent or more onto an order, resulting in prices far larger than if picked-up from the dining establishment yourself.
Another keen way to avoid takeout treachery is to master the art of reheating as ordering foods that have high re-heat value can make a world of a difference.
Even as ordering on-the-go skyrockets, the actual experience is often disappointing. Cold food, long wait times, bizarrely dismembered meals and missing items can leave diners regretting every bite … and the many pretty pennies spent
Though it’s tempting to dig into delivery the moment it crosses into your threshold, most food that has spent ample time in transit can benefit from a little extra attention – and heat
Though it’s tempting to dig into delivery the moment it crosses into your threshold, most food that has spent ample time in transit can benefit from a little extra attention – and heat.
Foods like pizza, ramen and anything saucy are usually high in ‘re-heat value’ as just a couple minutes in the oven or microwave can breathe new life into your dish.
Spicing your meal up with proper dishware and silverware can also help to elevate your hand-delivered meal.
Whatever the temperature, eating from a plastic tub with disposable forks and knives rarely yields satisfaction – especially if you’re springing for delivery from a higher-end restaurant.
Taking the time to upgrade flatware can help to cultivate some ambience at home, even if it means committing to washing a few dishes.
Remember, not all foods are created equal in the world of takeout but these few tips can help you to cultivate the perfect order, rather than being left with regret after being served a lower than expectation meal.
