Cooking is probably my favorite pastime. While I do indulge in the occasional delivery if I’m not feeling well, I could not imagine spending hundreds of dollars a month on Door Dash.
A few weeks ago, I was out at my local pub (which doesn’t serve food) and a few of us wanted Popeye’s chicken. Yes, I know, but it’s an occasional guilty pleasure and it does taste good with beer. To have it delivered was nearly twice the cost of pickup. It was a bit too far to walk, so a friend that was meeting up with us later picked it up for us after I ordered everything in the app.
Our local Chinese takeout only charges a $2 delivery fee, and the pizza shop doesn’t charge at all.
I’m one of those people who thinks that if someone is bringing food TO MY HOUSE then the delivery person deserves a generous tip, especially in inclement weather. But another 20-30% fees on top of that plus an inflated menu price? That’s getting out of hand in my book.
Gift link from the NY Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/dining/food-delivery-apps-doordash-uber.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IVA.VwD2.1k8Xnq3pgtQE&smid=url-share
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I have only had food delivered maybe 8 times in my 52 year life. I have had pizza delivered once in the past 12 years.
I currently pick up all my own take-out.
Over the past year, I have only been ordering online from places that allow ordering through Ambassador, Clover, other POS, or places take orders over the phone, by email, or in person.
I had been picking up some orders placed through UberEats and Ritual, from 2020 to early 2025, until I realized, in addition to any service fees charged by the apps, about half the places in Toronto and Southwestern Ontario were charging more for each individual dish, than if I ordered in person or over the phone. I had been tipping on top of that. I realize it’s because they were pinched by the apps, but it really isn’t fair for people who pick up the food themselves.
I also had issues with 2 indie Indian restaurants in Woodstock, ON, and in London, ON, that took my orders and payment, then called to let me know they didn’t have any of the dishes I ordered, resulting in last minute substitutions and general disappointment. Those substitutions reflect the restaurants more than the apps, but those experiences turned me off trying other new restaurants through online orders or apps.
I removed the apps from my phone.
Well, the delivery service still has to pay the delivery driver the incredibly generous base pay of somewhere near $4 /s
We usually pick up our own food, with the exception of poker games when it’s simply more convenient for us to order delivery. Very few local places have their own drivers, unfortunately. I hate supporting these shit gig economy giants that squeeze both the restaurants and their contractors.
