Busy moms and dads have a lot on their plate. Some days, the last thing you want to worry about is how you will fill your family’s plates- with food that is both delicious and nutritious.
When you have been running around all day, the last thing you want to do is slave away over a hot stove. Thankfully, you have another option. When you need to feed your hungry brood, and fast, try a food delivery service.
These days there are almost too many options for food delivery. You’ve got Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Caviar, and so many more.
Don’t worry; the Twin Cities Kids Club
is here to help. We have compiled a list of our favorite delivery services. Pick your favorite and try it out the next time your dinner plans are derailed, and you need food fast.
Uber Eats
Uber is excellent at taking someone else’s idea and making it better. They revolutionized the people-delivery game, and now they are doing the same with food delivery.
Uber Eats allows its users to peruse restaurants in their vicinity, including all their favorite fast food places. Once you find your perfect food, you can place your order from the app.
You can even track its delivery. Watch your driver on his or her way to you in real-time. As an added plus, if you already have an Uber account, you can use your info from that account.
Think of Uber Eats as your meals chauffeur. It works almost exactly the same way as the original Uber. An independent driver will pick up your food and bring it to whatever location you choose.
But, as with original Uber, surge pricing may apply to orders placed during the busiest times of the day. During those periods, you may have to pay an additional busy fee on top of your $4.99 delivery fee.
DoorDash
The best part about DoorDash? They don’t have a minimum order price. Also, if you live in a smaller city, DoorDash is most likely one of the only options for you. This service can be found in areas that can be overlooked by the larger food delivery lines.
DoorDash generally provides you and your family access to restaurants that don’t usually offer delivery service. They currently serve more than six hundred cities in North American alone.
DoorDash follows a similar model to Uber Eats. They are a courier service that hires independent contractors to pick up and deliver your food directly to you.
The delivery fee varies by restaurant. Make sure you check each restaurant’s fee before you order.
GrubHub
The original, GrubHub was the first on the scene. They are the first food-delivery app to hit the market. After its merger with Eat24 and Seamless in 2013, it became one of the most extensive food delivery services in the country.
If you ask all your friends which food delivery app they use, chances are most of them will say GrubHub. The reason for its overall popularity is most likely its ease of use.
The app is nicely designed. When you load it and sign up for an account, you can quickly and easily search your favorite restaurants. Each restaurant has ratings and reviews, and the app highlights its most popular dishes.
Your previous orders are saved in your account, which makes re-ordering easy. Also, you have many options for payment. They accept Android Pay, Apple Pay, Paypal, credit card, and even cash on delivery.
GrubHub can be found in over nine hundred cities. The app is free to use, but the order fee varies by restaurant.
Seamless
Seamless started in 1999 as a way for companies to order food for corporate events. It only took a few years for them to transition into the private sector.
Because it is a sister company to GrubHub, the interface is similar for both apps. Seamless’s best features are its one-click re-order function and the low instance of additional delivery fees.
Eat24
Eat24 began as Yelp’s food delivery off-shoot. The best feature of this app is the free delivery fee for over 40,000 restaurants.
They also feature a location search, an easy Twee-My-Meal button, and a wide range of payment options.
Caviar
Caviar strives to set itself as a cut above its competition. They focus on partnering with high-end restaurants that you will not find on many of the other food delivery apps. Just like Uber Eats, Caviar uses independent drivers to transport your food from the restaurant to your front door.
This app is not geared towards the bargain shopper. It has the steepest delivery fees. Additionally, there can be up to 18 percent in upcharges and even a special restaurant fee for some locales.
The primary downside is the limited availability of this service. Currently, Caviar is only available in about two dozen cities. So, if you don’t live in a big city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, you won’t be able to use this service.
Postmates
Postmates’ model is slightly different than the courier-based service of Uber Eats or Caviar. The company employs a virtual fleet of delivery people. When you place an order, the nearest Postmate-er will pick up your food and speed it directly to you.
When you sign up for Postmates, you have the option to pay a subscription fee. This fee helps to get rid of the typical delivery fees you see with other apps.
They also utilize real-time tracking. You can watch your food as it is delivered to you.
Postmates is probably the best option for those everyday cravings. The next time you need your Starbucks Flat White right that moment, try this app.
Bonus: Minibar
Some days, you really need a nightcap. The next time you have one of those days, and you didn’t get a chance to make it to your local liquor store, give Minibar a try. Have some beer, wine, or liquor delivered to your door in less than 60 minutes.
This is a newer app. Their service area is currently limited, but they are working hard to expand.
Food delivery services can be a godsend to a busy mom. The next time you find yourself dreading the thought of throwing a healthy meal together, consider simplifying. Order something you know your family will love.
Of course, you can always check out any of the fabulous restaurants around town that offer free or discounted meals for kids. Check out our list here.
If you are a Twin Cities resident, join the Twin Cities Kids Club today.