Driving to the grocery store, roaming aisle after aisle, and then standing in line forever is awful. No wonder everyone’s ordering up food delivery services night after night.
But delivery apps like DoorDash are outrageously expensive. A greasy burger with fries can cost an arm and a leg, even before you factor in the delivery fees. But why?
Unfortunately, several factors contribute to the high price tag. They slip in pesky additional charges for app usage, tip, and a delivery fee that's typically $5.99 but that can go as high as $8 depending on how far the delivery person has to travel. And let’s not forget that menu prices on food delivery apps are generally higher. You get charged more during peak times and there’s often a minimum order fee. Not to mention that junk food is extremely high in salt and sugar, which makes you feel tired, cranky and hungry for more. So why overpaying for it?
Our editors knew there had to be a convenient way to skip meal planning and the trip to the grocery store without burning a hole in your wallet. Then we discovered meal kits. And the one that was all over social media was Home Chef. It’s currently #1 in customer satisfaction among leading meal kit companies!* So, we decided to take a closer look and compare their subscription service to DoorDash.
You’ll be surprised by what we uncovered:
Key Similarities
- Both are convenient
- Both deliver to your doorstep
- Both offer several meal plans that cater to various tastes and diets
- Both provide a straightforward and flexible online ordering process
Key Differences
- Home Chef meals start at only $9.99 per serving – And with their latest offer you get 16 free meals!
- DoorDash charges a number of extra fees (prices can run double what you’d pay for the same meal at a restaurant)
- Home Chef offers traditional meal kits, Oven-Ready meals, and Fast & Fresh options that are ready in no time and involve close to zero planning and prepping
- Food Delivery Apps are limited to restaurants available in your area (think about those 45-minute delivery-times and it often arrives cold)
- Each Home Chef meal includes nutritional information
- Apps like DoorDash rarely reveal the nutritional content of what you eat
Home Chef Review
Home Chef makes cooking nutritious and delicious meals super easy. They offer traditional meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and recipe cards that ship straight to your door –no meal planning or grocery shopping needed. On top of that, they also have Oven-Ready and Fast & Fresh options that require minimal prep and are ready within minutes. Home Chef’s rotating weekly menu features 30+ recipes to choose from, ranging from lunches and dinners to breakfasts, snacks, and even smoothies.
What makes the company incredibly unique is their fully customizable meals that allow you to choose your preferred protein from options like antibiotic-free boneless skinless chicken breasts, salmon filets, Impossible Burger, and more.
So even if you’re pescetarian or vegetarian, you’ll never feel limited.
Home Chef’s mouth-watering menu includes dishes like Panko-Crusted Mahi-Mahi, Beef Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers, and Italian Sausage Fettuccine. We were thrilled by their vast selection that caters to all tastes, diets, and preferences.
BONUS: The portion size of Home Chef meals is spot on – they will keep you satisfied for hours.
Meals start at $9.99 per portion – much cheaper than take-out or food delivery. And according to their Internal Survey, you can save about $80 on groceries per month. Not to mention that Home Chef offers new customers 16 free meals!
DoorDash Review
DoorDash is a food delivery service that lets you order from various restaurants local to your area. Using their app, you can browse for meals, place your order, and track the delivery. DoorDash makes it super easy to enjoy your favorite restaurant’s food at home - zero cooking involved. But the convenience costs you big time:
- Delivery fees
- Service fees
- Sales tax
- Dasher tips
- Regulatory response fee
- DashPass Subscription service charge
On top of that DoorDash charges the restaurants commissions, leading them to jack up their prices in the app. Average deliveries take between 30-45 minutes, which is why customers usually get their food delivered cold – sooo frustrating! And let’s not forget that most takeout is high in salt, sugar and fat, leaving us bloated and tired instead of energized.
Final Thoughts
Like with everything else in life, both services have their pros and cons. But if it comes down to saving money and enjoying fresh, wholesome meals that leave you feeling good and satiated, Home Chef is our clear winner.
With Home Chef you can skip the grocery store and avoid paying extra for those hidden food delivery charges. So if you’re on a budget, care about your health, and want to enjoy easy-to-make, home-cooked meals that taste delicious Home Chef is the better choice!
Our friends at Home Chef are extending a special offer to our readers! Follow this link to get 16 Free Meals!
*US Grocery Benchmark Study, April 2020, Market Force Information, Inc.
