Grubhub and the Food Budget

One of the many bunches of reasons I try to keep the food budget under control is so that we can go out-or order in-when the mood strikes. And while I'm not opposed to Panera as such (I adore their broccoli cheese soup), I'm not talking fast food or pizza. I mean, almost any restaurant either has delivery or online ordering and pickup these days! And for a retired gal who considers cooking to be throwing a pre-made casserole in the oven or throwing something else in the slow cooker (and yet loves to eat) and a pre-retiree who works pretty ate and is hungry when she gets home, ordering in can be cost effective. If it's combined with a sensible grocery budget....and mainly healthy choices, we hope!

I'll talk about the food budget more, since Monday the grocery shopping gets done. Maybe a what I bought, what we plan to eat and what we actually ate in retirement post now and again?

Today though, we were in ordering mode, full on. Especially since one dog (who has a heart murmur and lung issues and so on) ruined a carpet, a comforter, and someones sleep last night due to illness. Don't ask. Now, for those who are not into the ordering scene, these days the easy way to order is with a phone app. Grubhub, Postmates, DoorDash-they all bring food from anywhere you want. I mean, obviously this depends on your location. Mine includes Chipotle, Smokin' Fins, Rock bottom Restaurant and Brewery, the Black Eyed Pea, The Post Brewing Company, Red Robin, Mod Market and too many others to name!  

Note that while the grilled sandwich is in perfect focus, my fish was not-blame it on the hunger, the hunger, the hunger!

Most restaurants are on all the apps, and each has their own group of unique ones. These evening I decided to try this method, and order via the Grubhub app from the Rock Bottom Brewery. I ordered  a grilled avocado chicken sandwich that came with cilantro lime rice, and a Kolsch (beer) battered fish and chips with Remoulade sauce and Santa Fe fries and coleslaw. Unfortunately they don't deliver wine as of yet, and since I ate part of a chocolate bunny no dessert was involved. All in all an unusually small order even for us. No side salad, no dessert, nada. An easy test of the delivery system if you will!

The upside? The food came hot to my door, at the time I chose specifically. I didn't have to change out of my (today, very unmatching) casual at home clothes. And it saved me from leftover pizza or smoked salmon and cream cheese on bagels. Good, but for breakfast, not dinner. I didn't have to try and holler over someone on the phone at a crowded restaurant or read my card off to them. Once I had chosen, it literally took a few clicks to have my order done and eventually on the way.

The downside? It comes in plastic-eventually a concern, but right now I actually NEEd those square storage containers. I paid a four dollar delivery fee (not unreasonable at all, it's the same thing I pay to get the Clicklist groceries put in my car each week). And of course a tip. In other words, changing my clothes and going out in my car to pick up would be cheaper (sitting down not so much, I'd still be tipping 20 percent).

 But then I'd have to leave my knitting and TV, never mind being respectable in case of an accident or getting out of the car (channeling my mother here). So I'll stick with the door to door for any day we don't have to leave the house, thanks, and keep on working on that food budget (which now includes our eating out and groceries, but not the things like lunch with the Diva gals).

Next time, a different app and a different restaurant-maybe on knitting day? 

Meanwhile, in other news, I forgot to read my pattern as I go. I had to bring it all back down because I missed an increase row. Aren't I glad it's for me and there's no rush!