Been using the app for 2-3 years now, though less now, after I had to introduce some restrictions into my diet.
Some scattered thoughts…
I think the ratings in this case are really solid guides to what your experience will be with a restaurant or store. If it’s above a score of about 4.5 or so it’ll likely be solid. Between 4.0-4.5, I’m wary. Below a 4 and I stay away.
there are some places that really adhere to their original business model of giving you food that would otherwise be wasted. But I think others (like El Toro and its sister taqueria Pancho Villa) use it more as a promotion, and plan to set aside X number of meals each day specifically for Too Good To Go. (Unfortunately, this is actually often better from the diner’s perspective. When I save a bag at Pancho Villa through the app, I know I’m getting a full meal that’ll virtually always be some kind of meat tacos, a burrito, or a platillo, usually with chips and agua fresca. It’s annoying when you make a trip to pick up a bag somewhere and they clearly just gave you a little bag of random leftovers of really inferior quality to their usual offerings; one time, I ended up with a small portion of guisado from Sanjalisco that was way over-reduced from sitting in the pot the whole day, and almost inedibly salty. Another time I had a bag from Boogaloo’s that was pretty much all plantains.)
The model works really well for places like cafes and bakeries, where they baked stuff fresh that morning and have to get rid of it that same day. Obviously, though, if you’re going to get a bag from one of these, it helps to have people to share it with if you don’t want a massive carb overload.
When I first became aware of the app, I checked periodically. But I came to learn from a handful of neighbors I shop with that end of day markdowns are abundant without needing an app or the surprise element. All I needed was to learn where to go, what time to show up and on what day. Price wise, I spent the same this app advertises or wound up with BOGOs.
I just tried this out for the first time today, thanks for posting about it. This was my haul from Acme in the Ferry Building: a loaf of bread, a couple of sandwich rolls, three smaller round rolls, and a croissant. Not bad for six bucks.
Used Too Good app today for Acme Bakery. Here’s what they gave me.
Large ciabatta, Italian bard, seed roll, 3 burger buns, 2 dinner rolls. Burgers tonight, french toast tomorrow and stuffing. Going to ask neighbor if they want some.
Lucky grocery store started an app called Flashfood that has greatly discounted items, lots with best buy dates that are soon, but regular things too. I tried it today and got this mixed produce box for $5.00 (big box - whole lotta potatoes !) and an Applegate organic sliced turkey pack (sell by August 15) for $4.50.
Best score yet, from Dumpling Kitchen Express in Castro Valley: small container of chicken congee, 2 dumplings, garlic green beans, Singapore curry noodles, and General Tso’s chicken, all for $5.99. That’s 2 meals’ worth of food for me.
Props also to Taava Kitchen in Uptown Oakland, for preparing the TGTG meal when I stopped by to pick it up (though does that defeat the purpose)? Two vegan curries, rice, and pappadums for $9.99.
OTOH, I was disappointed with Delah Coffee’s offering, but that probably was of my own making–I was hoping for Middle Eastern sweets and got 6 assorted croissants. At least croissants can be wrapped and frozen.
Love the idea and the philosophy but it only works in a biggish place I think. I had the app on my phone for a year and the only participant in 30 miles was one pizza joint…
It’s not from TGTG. Others have linked different discounted food offering with the same idea, reducing waste.
Instead of starting a new thread figured I’d do the same. There’s lots of discounted baked goods and produce. Fish also has a limited shelf life…and is pricey. Wish it was closer to me.
(not expected though)
