GrubHub Data Highlights Growing Diversity in America’s Takeout Habits

July 16, 2013

Order Data Reveal Year-Over-Year Growth in Popularity of Pakistani, African and Halal Cuisine

CHICAGO, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Picnics and barbecues may be the token foodie celebrations of the season, but summer also serves as a time to celebrate the nation’s cultural diversity. In fact, GrubHub order data reveals that America’s taste for takeout is continuing to grow beyond staples like pizza and pad thai, with Pakistani, Caribbean and Halal cuisines experiencing significant lifts in order popularity.

For an accurate snapshot of America’s food diversity, GrubHub analysts examined year-over-year orders in more than 500 cities across the country. While Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Mexican are the nation’s most popular ethnic cuisines, respectively; the following cuisines are experiencing the most significant growth in popularity this year.

Trending Ethnic Cuisines*

  1. Pakistani: almost 97 percent more popular
  2. Caribbean: more than 68 percent more popular
  3. Halal: almost 40 percent more popular
  4. Spanish: more than 36 percent more popular
  5. African: more than 30 percent more popular

In addition to uncovering Americans’ evolving ethnic dining preferences, GrubHub reviewed restaurant offerings on a local level to uncover which cities offered the widest variety of GrubHub’s 69 different ethnic cuisines.

Most Food-Diverse Cities (Ethnic Cuisines Available)

  1. New York City (56)
  2. Chicago (53)
  3. Los Angeles (45)
  4. Boston (44)
  5. San Francisco (42)
  6. Washington (41)
  7. Philadelphia (35)
  8. Miami (35)
  9. Denver (31)
  10. Houston (28)

“Food is an embodiment of culture, and GrubHub brings nearly 70 ethnic options to hungry diners across America,” said Mike Evans, GrubHub co-founder and COO. “While classic takeout cuisines like American, Italian and Chinese will always be here to satisfy cravings, the volume of options available on GrubHub lets diners be adventurous without leaving the house.”

To learn more about the cultural diversity of American takeout and to see how specific trends are playing out in cities across the country, please visit GrubHub’s interactive map, or visit grubhub.com to find takeout restaurants available in your area.

About GrubHub
GrubHub is a leading online and mobile food ordering service that shows diners local restaurants available for delivery or pick up. Available in more than 500 cities across the nation, GrubHub features more than 20,000 online ordering restaurants and, as the parent company of Allmenus, lists approximately 250,000 restaurant menus. Diners who order through GrubHub’s free website or mobile apps can pay with cash, credit or PayPal™, and every order is supported by GrubHub’s 24/7 customer service. Founded in 2004, GrubHub is a privately held company and is headquartered in Chicago.

* Based on year-over-year growth in orders placed between 4/1/12-6/19/12 and 4/1/13-6/19/13