Anyone own a takeaway?
Discussion
Have takeaways changed the way they do things from ten + years ago? Every time I get a takeaway it all seems a bit crap. I have just had an Indian, ten years ago I remember plump juicy bits of chicken tikka, fresh nan, and hot chips. Today the chips and nan seem to have a grey look to them and are chewy almost like they are bought frozen and cooked a few days ago. Chicken tikka is now chopped up small and dry and although the chips were always frozen they used to taste okay. No fresh ginger, garlic, coriander, or chili, and everything is salty.
I got a Neopolitan pizza last week from a new place that gets great reviews. The dough tasted like it had been frozen then left out all night and gone a bit grey before cooking.
Chicken and beef from the Chinese have got slimy and all the sauces are salty.
Chip shops are still the same but everything else I have given up on. I noticed in lockdown the local restaurant suppliers were selling to the public frozen skin on Western chips and dough balls for pizza's nan etc. Have my tastebuds changed or has Justeat etc squeezed the life out of takeaways.
I got a Neopolitan pizza last week from a new place that gets great reviews. The dough tasted like it had been frozen then left out all night and gone a bit grey before cooking.
Chicken and beef from the Chinese have got slimy and all the sauces are salty.
Chip shops are still the same but everything else I have given up on. I noticed in lockdown the local restaurant suppliers were selling to the public frozen skin on Western chips and dough balls for pizza's nan etc. Have my tastebuds changed or has Justeat etc squeezed the life out of takeaways.
Food costs up 400% on some products over the past 2.5 years.
Utilities up around 100%.
Delivery driver wages likely up due to increased fuel costs.
Maybe some ingredients aren’t available to get any more?
Rent probably up.
Just Eat etc taking a massive chunk out of each order.
Meanwhile most places that I know of haven’t increased their prices.
Corners have to be cut somewhere, and that’s likely to be either on portion size or quality of ingredients.
Utilities up around 100%.
Delivery driver wages likely up due to increased fuel costs.
Maybe some ingredients aren’t available to get any more?
Rent probably up.
Just Eat etc taking a massive chunk out of each order.
Meanwhile most places that I know of haven’t increased their prices.
Corners have to be cut somewhere, and that’s likely to be either on portion size or quality of ingredients.
soad said:
The ones to blame are the people, who use various delivery apps. We always phone our order/s in directly.
Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
I don't understand why people use the delivery apps. The food is always more expensive via them and sometimes they have a restricted menu for some reason too. The only reason I use Deliveroo or JustEat is if there is a special app promotion that gives me a healthy discount on the food.Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
Unfortunately, I've found that where local takeaways do have their own e-commerce website, they frequently don't check for orders that come in via that channel! They can do a lot to help themselves too.
I cannot get my head around takeaway delivery. It's just taking laziness to far. I can't be bothered to cook so I pay someone else to cook for me, is lazy, although I do it. Not being bothered to go and get the food you couldn't be bothered to cook is shameful.
OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
Chicken_Satay said:
I don't understand why people use the delivery apps. The food is always more expensive via them and sometimes they have a restricted menu for some reason too. The only reason I use Deliveroo or JustEat is if there is a special app promotion that gives me a healthy discount on the food.
Unfortunately, I've found that where local takeaways do have their own e-commerce website, they frequently don't check for orders that come in via that channel! They can do a lot to help themselves too.
We use to use them as lived miles away from a takeaway and they only one that delivered you could Unfortunately, I've found that where local takeaways do have their own e-commerce website, they frequently don't check for orders that come in via that channel! They can do a lot to help themselves too.
not order directly on their website.
Now we live even further froma a takeaway so none will deliver lol
soad said:
The ones to blame are the people, who use various delivery apps. We always phone our order/s in directly.
Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
I've found a few round me that have their own website are actually just a front end for Food Hub's website. Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
But I have read that Food Hub don't charge the takeaway a fee. In the past, when I did order using Just Eat, when it arrived, it would have a flyer for Food Hub stuffed in the bag, which I assume means they want you to use Food Hub as opposed to Just Eat.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I cannot get my head around takeaway delivery. It's just taking laziness to far. I can't be bothered to cook so I pay someone else to cook for me, is lazy, although I do it. Not being bothered to go and get the food you couldn't be bothered to cook is shameful.
OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
Wanting (needing!) a takeaway goes pretty-much hand-in-hand with having had a drink or eight. OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
I knew someone that had a popular Greek takeaway/restaurant for 30 years. They were one of the OG's with free delivery and using their own drivers.
They ended up selling up just before covid. Mostly due to delivery apps destroying the industry. They had avoided signing up to the apps but it got to a point where all the comp had signed up and even the old regulars were using the app. In the end, profit margins were pretty low, on some items it would be just breaking even.
They ended up selling up just before covid. Mostly due to delivery apps destroying the industry. They had avoided signing up to the apps but it got to a point where all the comp had signed up and even the old regulars were using the app. In the end, profit margins were pretty low, on some items it would be just breaking even.
SpeckledJim said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I cannot get my head around takeaway delivery. It's just taking laziness to far. I can't be bothered to cook so I pay someone else to cook for me, is lazy, although I do it. Not being bothered to go and get the food you couldn't be bothered to cook is shameful.
OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
Wanting (needing!) a takeaway goes pretty-much hand-in-hand with having had a drink or eight. OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
Delivery has always been a thing for takeaways. Although the fees are high on the order websites some of the takeaways must be doing a lot more food through them. There is so many cyclists and delivery drivers now. It must be employing a lot of people.
SpeckledJim said:
The apps are parasites. Avoid wherever possible!
I do my best to avoid them. The last few times I've used them I've been in an unfamiliar city and don't know where to go.
Foodhub was getting a little promotion on morning TV today. There is a discount code just now and I think their fees are far better for takeaways.
Chicken_Satay said:
soad said:
The ones to blame are the people, who use various delivery apps. We always phone our order/s in directly.
Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
I don't understand why people use the delivery apps. The food is always more expensive via them and sometimes they have a restricted menu for some reason too. The only reason I use Deliveroo or JustEat is if there is a special app promotion that gives me a healthy discount on the food.Some takeaways even allow you to order using their own website.
Unfortunately, I've found that where local takeaways do have their own e-commerce website, they frequently don't check for orders that come in via that channel! They can do a lot to help themselves too.
It's not rocket science why people use apps.
Your order is itemised so there can be no dispute over what you did or didn't order.
Your location is depicted on a map so there is (usually) no dispute over where you live
You pay on card so you don't need cash
There is a comments box so you can type any requests/customisations
The menu is all there for you so you aren't restricted on going places that you already have a menu for
The app updates you with progress and when it's on the way etc, so you're not just sitting there blindly waiting in hope
Like Uber etc, it's popular because it's a much, much better service than the old option of phoning, waiting, paying with cash etc..
For the massive upgrade in convenience, you have to pay about 20-30% over the odds.
Not really interested in people who have a favourite Chinese, and treat the family about once a month and get the same thing etc. In situations like that, you might not benefit from the app (if you're happy paying cash and getting no delivery updates etc)
For everyone else, it's great - hense the rapid rise in popularity.
Just like Uber. Remember the days of phoning for a taxi, waiting indefinitely hoping it turns up and needing cash to pay? Uber ripped that up with a massively improved service.
SpeckledJim said:
The apps are parasites. Avoid wherever possible!
Completely agree. Question is, is there a business model that utilises just eat, uber etc that actually makes money?Existing high street takeaways with high rents, potentially rates etc have little chance but something on an industrial park or a rented kitchen might stand a chance.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I cannot get my head around takeaway delivery. It's just taking laziness to far. I can't be bothered to cook so I pay someone else to cook for me, is lazy, although I do it. Not being bothered to go and get the food you couldn't be bothered to cook is shameful.
OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
People love convenience.OK, there's exceptions, no transport, disabled or unwell, whatever. But just can't be arsed....dreadful.
If you "cannot get your head around" why millions of people like getting their meal delivered, then that's your issue really.
I cannot get my head around why people don't understand people want convenient things.
I remember someone went on Dragon's Den selling the idea of pre-boiled eggs. One of the Dragons made the utterly moronic comment of "who will buy these, surely people would just boil eggs at home".
The guy just looked at him in disbelief, citing the sheer amount of people who buy pre-made sandwiched and chopped fruit etc. Now pre-boiled eggs are sold in every supermarket, and are huge globally.
Edited by RobbieTheTruth on Friday 3rd June 18:18
SpeckledJim said:
It’s great. Except the 20-30% that used to go in your mouth now vanishes into private equity bulls
t.
Takeaway quality has got worse. This is why.
But, yeah, convenient.
Is it really 30%? 20% is a killer in itself, 20% VAT, 20% to Just eat? Not much left let alone 30%t. Takeaway quality has got worse. This is why.
But, yeah, convenient.
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