News Category: Diners

CHICAGO, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — We’re officially in the second half of 2020, and it’s time to turn the dial back to take a look at how we ate our way through the beginning of a year unlike any other we’ve seen before. Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today launched its latest report, “State of the Plate”, looking at trends across the more than half a million orders placed a day. Grubhub’s mid-year report checks in on the popular food trends to date and what quarantined Americans ordered through contact-free delivery, and predicts what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

From grabbing a chorizo burrito (270% more popular) for breakfast, a cheesy breadstick snack (412% more popular), a plant-based burger (291% more popular), or a fit-for-quarantine meal kit (orders of meal kits rose 55%), below are the trends we’ve loved so far this year.

Disclaimer: The top foods below have seen the fastest growth on the Grubhub platform during the first half of 2020.

TOP FOODS OF 2020 TO DATE

In 2019 we were introduced to the chicken sandwich war, and in 2020 it raged on as chain and independent restaurants added the sandwich to their menus for diners to enjoy. The spicy chicken sandwich saw a nearly 300% rise in popularity this year, with other top foods spanning a range of categories and plenty of newcomers.

1. Spicy Chicken Sandwich: 299% more popular
2. Plant-Based Burger: 291% more popular
3. Vanilla Shake: 273% more popular
4. Iced latte: 261% more popular
5. Chili: 228% more popular
6. Cinnamon Roll: 205% more popular
7. Chimichanga: 195% more popular
8. Beef Burrito: 181% more popular
9. Potato Taco: 169% more popular
10. Taro Milk Tea: 168% more popular

The Top Food in America’s Most Populous Cities

• New York City: Mushroom Burger: 150% more popular
• Los Angeles: California Burrito: 286% more popular
• Chicago: Gyro: 299% more popular
• Philadelphia: Buffalo Chicken Pizza: 323% more popular
• Dallas-Fort Worth: Elote: 191% more popular
• Bay Area (SF, Oakland, San Jose): Saag Paneer: 389% more popular
• Washington, DC: Drunken Noodle: 166% more popular
• Houston: Fried Mushrooms: 238% more popular
• Boston: Lettuce Wrap: 268% more popular
• Atlanta: Plant-Based Burger: 147% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at order trends on its platform from January 1 – June 20, 2020, as compared to the same timeframe in 2019 to find the top items rising in popularity so far.

SEASONAL FAVORITES & FORECASTS

Seasonal trends tend to impact eating habits, so we took a look at exactly what rose through the ranks this past winter and spring. As far as what we can expect to see in the latter half of 2020, summer is seeing lighter fare while the fall heats up with a little spice.

Top Trends: Winter

1. Chicken Sandwich: 238% more popular
2. New England Clam Chowder Bowl: 195% more popular
3. Barbecue Burger: 132% more popular
4. Sausage, Egg & Cheese Sandwich: 101% more popular
5. Tan Tan Ramen: 96% more popular

Top Trends: Spring

1. Donuts: 214% more popular
2. Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit: 169% more popular
3. Sausage Burrito: 163% more popular
4. Chicken Sandwich: 153% more popular
5. Plant-Based Sausage Breakfast Sandwich: 150% more popular

Forecasts: Summer (in ranking order)

1. Vegetable Biryani
2. Spinach and Artichoke Wonton
3. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
4. Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
5. Balsamic Chicken Salad

Forecasts: Fall (in ranking order)

1. Miso Tofu Bowl
2. Quinoa Taco Salad
3. Mushroom Burger
4. Cajun Wing
5. Buffalo Chicken Empanada

Methodology: “Top Trends” look at the most popular food orders during winter (Dec 21, 2019 – March 19, 2020) and spring (March 20, 2020 — June 20, 2020) compared to those same periods in 2018 and 2019.  “Forecasted” items looked at the top foods on the Grubhub platform over the past two years, recently trending items, and other seasonal favorites to forecast what America will indulge in this summer & fall.

VEGAN & PLANT-BASED TRENDS CONTINUE TO GROW

Similar to Grubhub’s 2019 Year in Food Report, diners are continuing to eat vegan and vegetarian dishes. So far this year, vegan orders have risen by 23%, plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 90% and general plant-based orders by a whopping 135%!

Top Vegetarian Burgers

1. Black Bean Burger: 233% more popular
2. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger: 179% more popular
3. Impossible Burger: 167% more popular
4. Quinoa-Based Burger: 161% more popular
5. Eggplant Burger: 147% more popular

Top Vegan-Friendly Cities

1. New York, NY
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Portland, OR
4. Las Vegas, NV
5. Boston, MA

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based orders in each city and compared them to the overall number of orders.

PAST FAVORITES ARE STILL A HIT

Taking a look back at the “Top Foods of the Year” in Grubhub’s 2018 and 2019 Year In Food Report, we found that many of the past favorites are still trending in 2020.

• Spicy Brussels Sprouts: 125% more popular
• Portobello Empanada: 99% more popular
• Plant-Based Burger : 95% more popular
• Bean Burrito: 83% more popular — 2018’s more popular food
• Vegan Pad Thai: 74% more popular
• Cauliflower Pizza: 31% more popular — 2019’s most popular food
• Black Bean & Sweet Potato Taco: 27% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods from past reports to see what was still gaining in popularity so far this year (January 1-June 20, 2020) as compared to the same timeframe last year.

TOP TRENDS ACROSS MEAL TIMES

Breakfast: While Bacon, Egg & Cheese came in as #1 in 2019, we have yet to see the breakfast staple among 2020’s top foods.

1. Acai Bowl: 359% more popular
2. Chorizo Burrito: 270% more popular
3. Potato Pancakes: 259% more popular
4. Shrimp and Grits: 179% more popular
5. Vegetable Wrap: 112% more popular

Lunch: Salads and sandwiches lead the charge, while avocado toast makes a bit of a comeback.

1. Thai Chicken Salad: 399% more popular
2. Tuna Salad Sandwich: 262% more popular
3. Chicken Avocado Melt: 188% more popular
4. Kale Caesar Salad: 165% more popular
5. Avocado Toast: 164% more popular

Dinner: From Italian to Indian, diners are getting in a mix of cuisines for dinner.   

1. Rigatoni Bolognese: 292% more popular
2. Lamb Vindaloo: 283% more popular
3. Vegetable Korma: 267% more popular
4. Moo Shu Pork: 266% more popular
5. Salmon Avocado Roll: 244% more popular

Top Late-Night Orders: It’s no surprise carbs come in on top, but 2020 brings in the appearance of a sweet treat.  

1. Cheesy Breadsticks: 412% more popular
2. Strawberry Cheesecake: 247% more popular
3. Cheese Sliders: 220% more popular
4. Jalapeno Poppers: 216% more popular
5. Pizza Puffs: 182% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform for the specified mealtimes/food types below from January 1-June 20, 2020 as compared to the same timeframe in 2019 to find the top items rising in popularity.

A LOOK AT HOW QUARANTINE HAS IMPACTED AMERICA

On March 18, the first shelter-in-place order was initiated in San Francisco and the rest of the country followed suit shortly after. As Americans stayed home, they continued to order food using features like contact-free delivery to safely enjoy their favorite meals from local restaurants.

Over the months, Grubhub has observed diners turn to comfort foods, order alcoholic beverages, and D.I.Y. orders. Under quarantine one thing was clear: morning coffee routines changed as orders of cold brew rose by 232%

Most Popular Foods Nationwide: It’s all about the comfort foods and shareable plates as people order in.

1. Spicy Chicken Sandwich: 353% more popular
2. Red Velvet Cupcake: 196% more popular
3. Plant-Based Burger: 166% more popular
4. Cajun Shrimp Chicken Pasta: 164% more popular
5. Cheeseburger Sliders: 158% more popular

Most Popular Items Searched: While restaurants and bars were closed, we can see that diners are searching for a way to bring home the full dining experience.

1. Wine
2. Cake
3. Boba Tea
4. Beer
5. Donuts

Top Alcohol Orders (in ranking order): As delivery rose in popularity, so did alcoholic beverages while diners stayed home.

1. Pinot Grigio
2. Hot Sake
3. Rosé
4. Light Beer
5. IPA
6. Merlot
7. Frozen Strawberry Margarita
8. Chardonnay
9. Cabernet
10. Pina Colada

Meal Kits Rise to the Occasion: During quarantine, orders of meal kits rose 55% compared to the year before as diners put their own personal touch on the ingredients delivered.

Most Popular Meal Kit Orders

1. D.I.Y. Burger
2. D.I.Y. Lobster Roll Kit
3. D.I.Y. Salad
4. D.I.Y. Pizza
5. D.I.Y. Gyro Kit

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at both order trends and search trends on its platform in the respective categories from March 18 – June 18, 2020, compared to the same timespan in 2019 to find the top items in popularity.

Additionally, we saw diners show their generosity through our Donate the Change feature. At the start of the pandemic, we launched the Grubhub Community Relief Fund, where proceeds go to organizations that support members of our community who have been impacted by COVID-19, including restaurants, delivery partners, and those in need. With more than $7 million donated by diners and Grubhub (including through Grubhub’s matching of Grubhub+ orders), we were able to help feed the frontlines, support our drivers, support local restaurants, and so much more.

To find more about Grubhub or read more about the State of the Plate 2020 trends, check out Grubhub.com or visit the Grubhub Blog.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as nearly 24 million active diners. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features nearly 300,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with more than 200,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, AllMenus and MenuPage.

CHICAGO, Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual “Year in Food” report. To find out what food trends shaped the year (or didn’t), Grubhub analyzed tens of millions of orders placed by more than 21 million diners on its platform to uncover the flavors and tastes rising up the ranks among today’s diners. Additionally, diners will receive their personalized “Taste of 2019” to get a glimpse of their favorite cuisines, menu items, and ordering habits throughout the year.

TOP ORDERS OF THE YEAR

One thing is clear: plant-based foods are here to stay, with a majority of 2019’s top foods comprising of vegetarian- or vegan-friendly options. Cauliflower pizza claimed the top spot, rising 650% in popularity throughout the year.

1. Cauliflower pizza: 650%
2. Spicy brussel sprouts: 622%
3. Portobello empanada: 601%
4. Black bean & sweet potato taco: 513%
5. Miso pork ramen: 413%
6. Chicken burger: 318%
7. Bone broth: 298%
8. Brown sugar milk [bubble] tea: 281%
9. Vegan pad thai: 280%
10. Impossible burger: 203%

Fun Facts:

• While cauliflower dishes took home the #7 and #10 spots in 2018, this year cauliflower leads the charge.
• Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes took over 7 of our top 10 as opposed to only 3 of the top spots in 2018.

Breakfast: bacon, egg & cheese is a staple combo across breakfast that’s risen to the #1 spot from last year.

1. BEC (bacon, egg & cheese) biscuit: 442% more popular
2. Mixed berry acai bowl: 209% more popular
3. Chicken & waffles: 167% more popular
4. Strawberry banana french toast: 155% more popular
5. Dutch pancake: 149% more popular

Desserts: a balanced mix of fan favorites, a few classics with a trendy spin, and a vegan dessert in our top five.

1. Butter cake: 641% more popular
2. Chocolate shake: 530% more popular
3. fruit crepe : 223% more popular
4. Caramel churro : 206% more popular
5. vegan carrot cake : 144% more popular

Late-night: carbs come in handy for those snacking on late-night treats with yet another appearance from the vegan family.

1. Buffalo chicken empanada : 277% more popular
2. Brisket quesadilla: 200% more popular
3. Truffle parmesan fries: 157% more popular
4. Garlic & parmesan bread sticks: 132% more popular
5. Vegan burger: 128% more popular

THE RISE OF PLANT-BASED OPTIONS

Vegan & vegetarian trends are still growing, with vegan orders rising 27% in popularity overall in 2019 as compared to 2018. Specifically, the Impossible Burger saw a more than 200% rise in popularity this year!

The top meat-alternative options of 2019 (in ranking order):

1. Impossible Burger
2. Black bean burger
3. Tofu
4. Mushroom burger
5. Jackfruit

Top Spots for Vegans: If among the growing number of fans surrounding the vegan diet, Grubhub shed some light on the best (and not-so-great) states for people.

Most Vegan-Friendly States (in ranking order):

1. New York
2. California
3. Nevada
4. Oregon
5. Pennsylvania

Least Vegan-Friendly States (in ranking order):

1. Indiana
2. Iowa
3. North Carolina
4. Missouri
5. Idaho

FOODIE SUPERLATIVES

The state you should visit if you relate to the following:

• The Night Owl (rise of late night orders): Washington DC
• The Health Nut (rise of healthy foods): California
• The Most Energized (rise of caffeinated drinks): Oregon
• The Sweetest State (rise of desserts): Texas

Placed on GH in 2019:

• Biggest single-item splurge: osetra black caviar for $285 (30g)
• Largest order (non-catering): more than 300 tacos for a Halloween party
• Smallest order: a single hot sauce packet (must’ve been a real emergency!)

THE TRENDS OF YEARS PAST

Burgers, pizza, and tacos will always be a delivery go-to; however, if there’s one thing we know it’s that trends come and go. Whether it’s cauliflower-everything or 2017’s top food of poke bowls, with more than 450,000 orders per day on average, it’s safe to say Grubhub has its finger on the pulse of what’s hot (and what’s not).

Trends on the Rise: it’s all about detox and milk alternatives this year

1. Celery juice
2. Oat milk
3. Street corn

Middle of the road: not rising the ranks in popularity, but these remain a trusty go-to dish among diners

1. Poke
2. Avocado toast
3. Kale

Trends on the Decline: forget fermentation and hydration, these two are on the out

• Kombucha
• Coconut water

Fun fact: celery juice and oat milk saw a claim to fame in 2019, seeing a 302% and 285% rise in popularity (respectively).

“BEST OF GRUBHUB”

While 2019 was a year for new trends, Grubhub also took a look at some of the top delivery go-to dishes and the restaurants that took home the title – “Best of Grubhub” – for each dish.

• Burgers: Calibur in San Francisco is a local favorite known for their classic burger and homemade Calibur sauce (and don’t miss the Tallow Fries).
• Pizza: a New York City staple, Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village Institution) takes it home for this delivery favorite.
• Chicken wings: KyoChon in Los Angeles has been said to “more than compensate in addictive flavor” with a top dish being the restaurant’s honey wings.
• Tacos: E Bar Tex Mex in Dallas is known for their tacos, especially “Jorge’s Tacos” featuring a set of four (diner’s choice!)
• Poke: a dish known for its customization, SeaSweets Poke in Portland (Oregon) is the top spot for poke with the Ahi Shoyu Poke Bowl being a favorite.
• Pad Thai: Circles Thai in Philadelphia comes in as the number one spot for this delivery essential.
• Meatballs: diners love the Homemade Meatballs from DiPasquale’s Italian Marketplace in Baltimore, with the restaurant’s menu warning diners to “be prepared” for how large the meatball sub is!

A YEAR OF GIVING BACK

Since launching its “Donate the Change” feature in October, Grubhub diners have given back to those in need. In 2019 alone, diners rounded up and donated a whopping more than $10 million to support organizations (Jan-Oct) including Grubhub’s core partner, No Kid Hungry. Other organizations supported throughout the year include the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs as part of the company’s RestaurantHER program and NYC Kids RISE, giving back to local public school students’ college and career futures to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Seamless, Grubhub’s New York-specific brand.

Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-November 2019, as compared to the same timeframe in 2018.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 140,000 restaurant partners in over 2,700 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, Tapingo, AllMenus and MenuPages.

 

CHICAGO, June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The recent solstice marks the start of the summer season, which means we’ve hit the halfway mark of the year! Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today launched its latest report, “State of the Plate.” Using data from more than half a million orders placed on an average day through its platform, Grubhub’s mid-year report checks in on the popular food trends so far, predicts what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year, and provides an update on where some of the “trendier” foods actually stand. One fact that’s clear: vegan & vegetarian options are here to stay.

Key takeaways include:

VEGAN OPTIONS ARE HERE TO STAY:

As we highlighted in our 2018 “Year in Food” report, we know plant-based options are on the rise across America, and we’re seeing this trend in delivery as well. Orders of vegan-friendly foods on the Grubhub platform increased by 25% so far in 2019 (as compared to Jan-May 2018), with orders for the Impossible Burger specifically rising overall by 82%.

Vegan Meccas: Grubhub also looked at the areas ordering the most vegan foods & found these made the list:

1. Los Angeles, CA
2. Brooklyn, NY
3. Portland, OR
4. Las Vegas, NV
5. Rochester, NY
6. Philadelphia, PA
7. Detroit, MI
8. San Diego, CA

Methodology: To determine the top places for vegans, Grubhub evaluated a variety of factors using data available through its platform, including the number of vegan restaurants, ratings, order volume, and overall number of vegan items available on Grubhub in each respective city as compared to the rest of the country.

SEASONAL FAVORITES & FORECASTS:

Whether it’s heartier foods to keep you warm in winter or lighter bites for spring as you enter the warmer months, each season has food they’re known for among diners. But what’s to come for summer and fall? What we found below may surprise you!

Top Trends: Winter

• chicken shish kabob: 240% more popular
• chicken tinga: 131% more popular
• spicy potato taco: 111% more popular
• mushroom stroganoff: 90% more popular
• cuban picadillo empanadas: 85% more popular

Top Trends: Spring

• cauliflower bites: 536% more popular
• ahi tuna salad: 467% more popular
• mixed berry acai bowls: 411% more popular
• chicken poblano : 336% more popular
• quinoa taco: 285% more popular

Forecasts: Summer (in ranking order)

1. barbecue pork buns
2. truffle parm frie
3. quinoa & arugula salad

Forecasts: Fall (in ranking order)

1. pesto pasta
2. fried okra
3. lemongrass soup

Methodology: For “Top Trends,” Grubhub took a look at the top foods on the Grubhub platform from winter (Dec 21, 2018 – March 20, 2019) and spring (March 20 – June 8, 2019) as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity. For “Forecasted” items, Grubhub looked at the top foods on the Grubhub platform over the past two years, recently trending items, and other seasonal favorites to forecast what America will indulge in this summer & fall.

BREAKING IT DOWN BY REGIONS: FAVORITES TO DATE

We know everywhere in the U.S. has their own taste, so Grubhub took a look at its most popular foods so far in 2019 across the four regions. To break it down: the Midwest kept it vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, the Northeast mixed it up with a classic making an appearance, the South stayed with seafood, and the West had a mix of “meat” options.

Midwest:

• Impossible Burger: 326% more popular
• cheese quesadilla: 144% more popular
• waffle fries: 135% more popular

Northeast:

• harvest bowl : 340% more popular
• guay tiew pad see eiw: 319% more popular
• bagel and egg sandwich : 204% more popular

South:

• shrimp linguini alfredo: 273% more popular
• baked potato soup : 236% more popular
• new england clam chowder: 185% more popular

West:

• glazed baby back rib: 412% more popular
• pork burrito: 208% more popular
• Impossible Burger: 194% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform from the specified regions from Jan 1-May 31, 2019 as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity.

CHECKING IN ON OUR FAVORITE MEALS

Since we took a look at some of the top meals in our 2018 “Year in Food” report, we’ve seen some changes so far in 2019! Breakfast is leaning a bit more indulgent, dessert is a little chillier, and our late-night favorites lead a vegan option!

Breakfast: it’s all about the salty & sweet combo.

• chicken & waffles: 219% more popular
• sausage egg & cheese biscuit: 179% more popular
• pancakes & bacon: 145% more popular

Dessert: who says ice cream won’t deliver well?!

• brownie sundae: 273% more popular
• cake batter frozen yogurt : 232% more popular
• donut ice cream sandwich : 217% more popular

Late-night: it’s 2019 when a vegan burger leads the late-night trend!

• Impossible Burger: 529% more popular
• steak quesadilla: 447% more popular
• mashed potatoes & gravy: 325% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform for the specified mealtimes/food types below from January-May 2019 as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity.

To stay up-to-date on trends and restaurants nearby, check out the Grubhub Blog or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 115,000 restaurant partners in over 2,200 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, Tapingo, AllMenus and MenuPages.

 

CHICAGO, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual “Year in Food” report. To find out what food trends shaped the year (or didn’t), Grubhub analyzed millions of orders placed by more than 16 million diners on its platform and surveyed consumers across the country on their ordering tastes and eating habits.

Key takeaways include:

FOODS OF THE YEAR:

Plant-based foods were on the rise in 2018. According to Grubhub’s ordering data, bean burritos took the top spot as the food surging the most in popularity in 2018, rising 276% as compared to 2017. And if you’ve been hearing more about cauliflower this year, you’re not alone: cauliflower rice bowls (155% increase) and buffalo cauliflower (124%) also made the list. One food we don’t see in our top 10? Red meat. Overall, the top 10 foods in 2018 are:

1. bean burrito (276% more popular)
2. poke (205% more popular)
3. chicken slider (189% more popular)
4. baby back pork rib (165% more popular)
5. chicken burrito (164% more popular)
6. chicken sandwich (160% more popular)
7. cauliflower rice bowl (155% more popular)
8. chicken and waffle slider (145% more popular)
9. parmesan chicken (139% more popular)
10. buffalo cauliflower (124% more popular)

A few other fun facts to note:

• Avocado toast is no longer all the rage – the dish responsible for emptying millennials bank accounts didn’t even make our top foods of 2018.
• While poke bowls are still hot, they’ve fallen to the #2 spot of this year, seeing “only” a 205% increase in popularity, compared to a 643% rise in popularity in 2017.
• America can’t get enough chicken, with chicken-based dishes making up half of our top 10 list.

Top Breakfast Items: Healthy items took the top two spots, but close behind are the classics we all know and love.

1. peanut butter acai bowl (350% more popular)
2. detox juice (193% more popular)
3. bacon, egg and cheese sandwich (190% more popular)
4. breakfast burrito (141% more popular)
5. french toast (106% more popular)

Top Late-Night Items: People like to spice it up late night, with stuffed jalapenos and spicy miso ramen taking the top two spots. And it’s clear french toast is universally loved, making both our “top breakfast” and “top late-night” lists.

1. stuffed jalapeno (169% more popular)
2. spicy miso ramen (167% more popular)
3. slider (148% more popular)
4. french toast (119% more popular)
5. lamb shawarma (70% more popular)

Top Dessert Items: Whether you love a classic brownie or prefer a twist on the basics (we see you, salted caramel cookie), it’s apparent America loves a wide variety of desserts.

1. brownie (413% more popular)
2. Oreo cookie cupcake (316% more popular)
3. baklava (261% more popular)
4. salted caramel cookie (243% more popular)
5. cobbler (238% more popular)

Bonus: Coming in at the number six spot were vegan brownies (211% more popular), showing America loves brownies in all forms!

In addition to examining ordering trends on its platform, Grubhub also surveyed nearly 2,000 respondents across the United States who have ordered food in the past three months to understand their points-of-view on how food, food delivery and pickup impacted their lives in 2018. Key takeaways from the survey data are:

WHAT MATTERS MOST

While we know America loves to order in, what matters most to people when choosing when, what, and where to order? Let’s dive in.

The What^*: Fast casual reigns supreme with survey respondents — 40% ordered most from these types of restaurants, followed by quick service (32%) and casual dining at (24%.)

The Where: It’s no surprise the majority (80%) of survey respondents order food to their home. Other locations include work (35%), with friends (32%), on vacation (18%), and traveling for work (14%).

The Why: The top five reasons on why survey respondents order in include:

1. Didn’t feel like cooking (43%)
2. Satisfy a craving (30%)
3. Saving time from cooking/cleaning (28%)
4. At home game night/movie night (25%)
5. Family night dinner (24%)

Fun fact: Nearly 1 in 5 survey respondents order for pickup or delivery after having a new baby! (Sounds like a Grubhub gift card would make a great “welcome home” gift.)

GENDER DIFFERENCES

Women and men differ in many ways, and their food preferences are no different. Overall, of all people surveyed by Grubhub, more men ordered pickup or delivery in 2018 (59% ordered at least once a week) compared to women (36%).

Different Tastes: Of those surveyed, when looking at the type of restaurant, 41% of men prefer quick service restaurants^* for pickup or delivery (compared to 25% of women) and 44% of women prefer fast casual restaurants (compared to 36% of men). Diving into specific foods – pizza is about the only thing men (39%) and women (38%) agree on as a top choice. Burgers and chinese are also loved, but to different degrees:

• Top Foods Among Men: Burgers (31%) / BBQ (24%) / Chinese (23%)
• Top Foods Among Women: Women: Chinese (32%) / Mexican (27%) / Burgers (25%)

Different Habits: More than two-thirds of women surveyed (69%) tend to be spontaneous when it comes to ordering, compared to just over half of men (54%). And when they’ve had a long day, 48% of men will splurge on something more expensive compared to 34% of women.

Different Date Nights: Those surveyed in relationships, slightly more men (38%) than women (31%) feel ordering pickup or delivery is a great way to spend time together. Singles also have different visions for date night when ordering for pickup or delivery, especially when it comes to cuisine:

• 41% of women prefer pizza on a date, compared to 29% of men
• 25% of men prefer BBQ, compared to only 11% of women
• 20% of women prefer sushi, compared to 12% of men

Different Work Preferences: The majority of men and women surveyed order food for pickup or delivery at work (69% and 63%, respectively), though more than half of men (51%) order twice a week or more compared to only 31% of women. Astoundingly, 10% of men surveyed said they order five times or more a week!

FOOD & RELATIONSHIPS

It’s apparent that food matters, whether you’re in a relationship or not.

Food Preferences – It Matters: Almost all surveyed in a relationship (90%) said they prefer if their significant others have the same food preferences as they do, and nearly half (42%) consider it a potential relationship breaker if they don’t. Overall, men care more than women, with 54% saying “of course” food preferences matter, while only 31% of women said the same.

Grounds for Argument: Nearly three quarters of respondents surveyed (71%) said they’ve argued with their significant other about what to order, with 23% saying they “frequently” argued about it in the past year.

• Men feel it more, with 35% “frequently” arguing about what to order compared to only 13% of women.
• Same could be said for those in urban areas, with 35% also “frequently” arguing about the topic when only 11% of those in the suburbs say the same.
• Millennials tend to be a little more lax, with 20% stating they “frequently” argue, compared to 28% of GenXers.

But it’s not all arguing: 95% of those surveyed in relationships know their significant other’s order by heart.

The New Date Night: While we know convenience is key with ordering in and more than one third (34%) of couples surveyed order pickup or delivery for a “date night at home” (and this increases to 38% among men). In addition to date night at home, other reasons to stay in include: not wanting to cook (52%), it’s easier (34%), not enough time (25%) and simple cleanup (23%).

Friend Zone: Of single respondents, more than a quarter (26%) said they judge dates on what they order (this increases to 30% among men, compared to 22% of women).

FOOD & FAMILY

Soccer practice. Karate lessons. Newborn in the family. Play dates. It’s part of life, and an already hectic schedule makes the question of “what’s for dinner?” a tough one.

Family Dinner: It should come as no shock that nearly everyone surveyed with children (91%) have ordered in for their family. The top reason why (46%) is “it was easier” (we get it!). From there, the reasons differed between moms and dads:

• Dads do it as a treat for the kids (38%) and because they want to spend more time with family (37%)
• Moms say they didn’t have time to cook (44%) or didn’t have anything planned for dinner (44%)

Budget vs. Variety: Moms and dads also have different priorities when ordering. Of those surveyed, dads named “variety of restaurants” (24%) as their top priority, compared to only 19% of moms. Mothers are clearly more budget conscious with 25% choosing “budget-friendly” restaurants, compared to only 19% of men.

Feeling the heat: Again, nearly every parent surveyed orders in for their family but one third of respondents said they feel judged by other parents when they do. This feeling is felt more by dads — 45% say they feel negatively judged when ordering in, compared to 22% of moms.

City vs. Suburban Life: The differences between city living and suburban living extends to food ordering, too:

• Parents surveyed in urban areas feel more pressure about ordering in, with nearly half (49%) saying they feel judged by other parents, compared to only (18%) of those in the suburbs.
• Moms (49%) and dads (44%) surveyed both agree “it’s just easier” to order in, however, the reasons differed from there. Parents in urban areas order as a “treat for the kids” (37%) and because they “want to spend more time with the family” (36%.) Parent’s in suburban areas, said they “didn’t have time to cook” (46%) and “didn’t have anything planned” (40%).

Late night, order in: Most respondents surveyed (85%) stated they ordered pickup or delivery (versus cooking or going out) after a late night, and this increases for those with kids – 89% of parents stated they’re more likely to order in!

FOOD & WORK

Office Meals: Eating at the office is a common occurrence among employees. Of those surveyed who have ordered at work, 43% do it more than twice a week, and 35% order 2-4 times per week.

It’s Not All About Lunch: According to survey respondents, lunch (81%) is the most popular meal for pickup or delivery, but 44% have also ordered dinner to their place of work. And while 24% ordered breakfast, it seems those in urban areas are more prone to ordering at the office in the morning (32% of urban workers, compared to 13% in suburban areas).

Sad Desk Lunch?: Not for some folks! Of those surveyed, more than half (60%) are getting away from their desk to eat. In fact, over a third (35%) are opting for the office’s common areas and 13% are getting out of the office to enjoy their meal! Men get away more (66%) as opposed to only, 52% of women eating elsewhere.

Office Etiquette 101: Microwaving leftover fish in the communal kitchen? That’s one way to make an impression among your work buddies. Among other workplace annoyances cited by survey respondents:

• Eating someone else’s food (47%)
• Leaving a messy kitchen (44%)
• Dirty microwave (38%)
• Microwaving pungent food (34%)
• Eating something messy/pungent at desk (30%)
• Forgetting about leftover pick-up food in the fridge (29%)

Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report is based on trends gathered from millions of orders on the Grubhub platform and the results of a commissioned survey performed by a third-party. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-November 2018, as compared to the same timeframe in 2017. The third party survey examined the ordering habits of a demographically representative sample of 1,927 U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 and 54 who ordered food for pickup or delivery via web or mobile over the past three months.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 95,000 restaurant partners in over 1,700 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, Tapingo, Eat24, AllMenus and MenuPages.

* Type of food is categorized by quick service (order at counter, no wait line, low price-point); fast casual (order at counter, no wait line, higher price-point;) casual dining (order at table with wait staff, moderate price point); upper casual restaurants (order at table with wait staff, higher price point;); and fine dining (highest-end price point at $80+ per person)