how do you feel about take-out/delivery food? are you doing it?

[unblock]

we're in a hot zone just, outside of new york. we've been very strict. we only go out for a daily walk and once a month for meds that i can't get delivered here.

all our food comes in by delivery. we use a bleach spray on anything that needs immediate attention (refrigeration/freezing/perishables) and leave the rest untouched in our garage for at least 3 days.

we haven't done take-out or restaurant delivery, figuring it's not worth the extra risk, but most of our friends are. i know it's very unlikely to be transmitted by food itself, so all we should have to do it transfer it from the packaging, really no more effort than we do for groceries, but it's a lot of risk and effort for a single meal, as opposed to groceries for a week, so we haven't done it.


what are you doing? are you doing take-out/delivery? or are you preparing your own meals (or leftovers) every day?

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. Mostly trying to cook. nt

[dawg]

2. I'm not doing it, because I know how few people in my area ...

actually believe the virus is a real, serious problem. I assume that my take out would be prepared by idiots who aren't taking proper precautions. Your area might be different.

[unblock]

8. yes, we all know in normal times restaurants aren't perfect when it comes to hygiene

i assume they're being a bit more careful, but in the restaurant business, it's frankly hard to be 100% safe 100% of the time.

in normal times, though, it's just the off chance of getting a bug that makes one day unpleasant. rather different when you can get something that has a chance of actually killing you or someone in your family....

[Squinch]

3. Same kind of area as you but I'm doing a lot of takeout.

I want to give business to the neighbors.

All packages that aren't thrown away are scrubbed with a brush and soap and water, all food is microwaved for a minute and all bags are put into an unused space in the apartment for a week before being put away.

So far so good.

[Goonch]

12. Tempted but

too old to risk it

[Squinch]

24. I get it. Stay safe.

[Aristus]

4. We've done a good bit of take-out.

But with Mrs. Aristus laid off, we're cooking more, too.

To save the expense of ordering out, and also because she's home all day.

My home has turned into a 1950's sitcom household.

Once a career-oriented Dual Income, No Kids arrangement, we're now Ozzie And Harriet without Ricky's weekly song...

[PSPS]

14. Does your neighbor have a barking dog named Charlie?

[samnsara]

57. I thought i was the only Ozzie and Harriet fan..omg its so dang funny, about the only time..

..I ever LOL. Its an emotional lifesaver!!

[samnsara]

59. LOVE that series. Thank gawd for bandstandmike on you tube for making...

..my days livable!

[hlthe2b]

5. I am eating strictly at home, items I prepare ("thrown" together) largely from my pantry stock.

and freezer. I'm not opposed to purchasing take-out or delivery except from the standpoint that I don't want extra exposure to anyone nor do I want to expose others (I'm not worried about the food) AND I feel the need to conserve money right now. I eat to live right now, not for culinary satisfaction nor to assuage cravings. It seems a minimal sacrifice right now.

That said, I AM very clearly conflicted between my desire to support local restaurants and workers, my own personal financial concerns, and my overriding concern not to increase personal exposure beyond my once-weekly grocery store(s) trip and my daily five-mile walks on the local bike trail with my pup. That said, I'm in health care so I ALREADY have significant baseline exposure nearly every day.

[samnsara]

62. i bought one burger from a local drive in and a case of wine from the wine shop..

..the wine was curb side but they did deliver it (unmasked) to my car trunk..other than that we cook at home. Hubbys been off work for 4 weeks anyway post op recovery and he loves cooking so hes always whipping up something out of boredom.

So the urgency regarding the virus varies around town. I did identify one shop owner who lead a protest outside the court house demanding her rights have been trampled on. So its MY right to deliberately not patronize her business.

[In_The_Wind]

6. We've talked about picking up Chinese food from our favorite restaurant.

That's as far as it's gotten.

I did pick up one store roasted chicken while grocery shopping.

[samnsara]

63. i miss Chinese Buffets the most!!!

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Not doing take-out at all.

Haven't been inside a grocery since March 15 and wipe down food or stow it in the garage for a few days as I do curb-side.

I figure why risk having either take-out food delivered or pick-up when we're going through all these hoops. If getting tested becomes a weekly thing for ALL people to do maybe then. But not now.

Getting old cooking every night but better than being on a ventilator.

Also wish I could find more alcohol for my wipe-downs.

[unblock]

15. we use a spray bottle and bleach (4 tsp per quart)

we haven't had any problems finding bleach. of course, one gallon lasts a looong time.

[Judi Lynn]

26. Thanks for sharing the ratio.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

39. Got to get another sprayer bottle

Good idea! Thanks.
Been using soapy water myself.

[DinahMoeHum]

9. I've only done it once, since this whole thing started.

And that's only because I had a special birthday coupon for it, which would've gone to waste if I hadn't used it.

I called in the order, then went out to pick it up. It was pizza, loaded with meats and a thin crust.

The total cost was about $3.00, but I gave them a ten and told them to keep the change.

That pizza went for 3 meals during the week, with homemade salad added.




#newrostrong

[unblock]

21. we were thinking, if we're doing take-out, pizza is easiest

the packaging is easiest to deal with. one person opens the box, the other person takes out the pizza and plates it.

[Lars39]

31. We've done pizza twice now, but we put them in the oven.

We have it delivered to front porch, no contact.
We put a beach towel on stove top to put boxes on.
We open boxes, wash hands, and put pizzas on pans and cook them about 10-15 minutes more at 400.

[yardwork]

10. Yes, we're doing a lot of take-out and deliveries, to support local businesses.

They deliver to our cars at the curb.

[Alacritous Crier]

11. We do it...

sparingly.

I shop for and cook 99% of our meals. We will get a take out "treat" about once a week. Usually just burgers, store prepared fried chicken or something from Zaxbys.

[Frustratedlady]

13. Strictly cooking/baking and trying to empty my freezer and pantry.

There are times I've been tempted to order pizza or Chinese, but wimp out in the end. Since I can cook/bake, why not do so? It is enough work to "clean" groceries. I'm moving into my 14th week of isolation. My daughter picks up my groceries when she gets her food, prescriptions at the drive-up window and brings in my mail. Those are the only contacts I have to the outside world. We both wear masks when she is here or talk to each other from a distance.

When the day comes, I will thoroughly enjoy my favorite pizza, but it will only be after it has reheated to the state of "cheese bubbling" in my oven. I don't see a future anymore of unpacking a carryout without making sure it is safe. Perhaps that is a good habit to get into.

[lark]

16. We get take out generally 2x a week since this started.

We limit it to a couple of small mom and pop places that are not opening up their dining rooms. Otherwise we are eating homemade fresh food/leftovers. At first hubby was going crazy and baking all the time, but he's stopped that and we are now eating healthier and lower carb. Can't wait until our garden starts producing and we can eat fresh grown organic veggies.

[SharonClark]

17. Doing take out twice a week.

One night is pizza, from a different restaurant each week, and one day is lunch from a local market. I also cook a lot but love having take out available.

[Arkansas Granny]

18. I've been ordering a delivered meal from a locally owned restaurant about once a week.

I have my groceries delivered and wipe everything down before I bring it in the house.

[Clash City Rocker]

19. We have a process

We leave a note on the door telling the delivery person to leave the food on a baking sheet we leave outside. We bring the food in, move it into microwaveable containers, throw out the original containers, wash our hands, then microwave each item for a minute. Any smaller items that come with the food (sauces, etc.) get wiped down with Clorox wipes. The bag and all the containers go straight into trash/recycling and the baking sheet goes into the oven for a few minutes, then into the dishwasher.

[Rorey]

20. I've done it twice

Both times at out-of-town places, after my daughter's doctor appointments.

The first time was at Panera. We went inside and ordered our food because my daughter was having a hard time figuring out what she wanted from the menu on her phone. It seemed fine at first, but when we were waiting for our food, an employee came in, walked through the lobby, no mask, laughing hysterically. I won't be going back there.

The next time we went to Schlotzky's, and it was perfect. We were the only customers there, all employees were wearing masks. Minimal talking. Fast service. I'd definitely go back there if I'm in that area.

In my own town, as much as I'd like to support my local businesses, I just think it's a careless personal risk.

[Cracklin Charlie]

22. I have cooked everything I've eaten...

Since March 15.

Before corona, I cooked almost every night. We used to eat out once a week.

I am getting a little tired of my own cooking.

[MissB]

23. Once every two weeks on average

No qualms about it. Not particularly in a hot spot though. I’d avoid it if I were living in a hot spot.

[Jirel]

25. Doing it a lot, no fear.

We have no concerns, but we also in a county with next to no cases.

[Laelth]

27. We attempted take-out for the first time in months last night.

We live in a cultural dead zone (rural East Texas), but we have one Chinese restaurant in this county that is excellent (a New York-trained Chinese chef had the misfortune of marrying into a local family and set up a restaurant here).

We want to support them, and so, despite our limited budget, we decided to splurge last night and order take-out.

The phone message said that the restaurant is closed indefinitely.



-Laelth

[unblock]

43. i'm familiar with east texas

mrs. unblock did some of her growing up in houston. we lived in austin for 7 years, and took several trips to the east, including a week or so in beaumont.

some great people in the rural areas, if you can get past the whole sittin' on the porch with a shotgun just itchin' for an excuse to use it thing....

outside of houston, i imagine that chinese food is a hard sell, particularly now with donnie's nonsense about calling it the "china" virus.

[CurtEastPoint]

28. To consider: these services take around THIRTY PERCENT of the cost of the dishes ordered.

[brooklynite]

30. Call the restaurant directly and go pick it up.

[CurtEastPoint]

46. Sorry... I mean Grubhub and other delivery services. Yes, do pickup.

[LisaL]

48. I don't do pick up. Because you still have to come in contact with people.

Nobody is forcing restaurants to participate with delivery services if they don't want to.

[Merlot]

68. The pizza place I went to put it in my trunk after I called in and paid with CC

[Ms. Toad]

69. Some of them have "participated" without their consent in the past.

https://www.engadget.com/2019-08-06-grubhub-is-replacing-restaurant-phone-numbers-on-yelp.html


I don't know what the status of this complaint is, but I've also heard of more recent schemes, but i couldn't quickly find the link

[unblock]

35. yeah we wouldn't use grubhub or uber eats.

we'd likely pick it up ourselves or use the restaurant's own delivery. many local restaurants have shifted to delivery-only and so are using their own staff to deliver food.

[LisaL]

45. Restaurants don't have to participate if the math doesn't make sense.

[CurtEastPoint]

47. Of course not. I am just saying that people don't know the high cost the rest. pays GrubHub etc.

[LisaL]

49. Well, right now they can't do dine in. A lot of them don't do their own delivery.

So I imagine using delivery service is better than having no customers at all.

[CurtEastPoint]

50. I suppose. I just ran across this:

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/restaurants-losing-money-on-delivery-orders/

[LisaL]

51. Again, if they are losing money, they don't have to participate.

I am also using doordash which apparently agreed to lower their rates as per the article.

[CottonBear]

53. Our area has local delivery services that charge much less than Grub Hub & Uber eats.

The restaurant reviewer for our local free weekly paper has recommended using these local services or doing curbside pickup. Each week, the paper updates which restaurants are open and how they are delivering good or arranging pickups.

[brooklynite]

29. Absolutely...

...and we're IN the hot zone with a morgue truck parked two blocks away. It's a way to support local businesses. Last night I ordered pasta and sautéed mushrooms from a hole in the wall Italian place that had just re-opened.

There is no data that suggests that cooked food is at risk for infection.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

32. I just did my first take out since

Quarentine began. Little Cesars pizza,My friend was carrying out pizza so l ordered some too. She helps me get groceries.
Ate on it for 3 days had cold pizza for breakfast today.

[tinrobot]

33. Yes. Cooked food is pretty safe and we have to support local business.

Plus, truly decent pizza is difficult to cook at home.

[Hugin]

34. So far, nope. But, my mind and heart are all over the place on this...

Being pathologically anti-social doesn't help matters.

Really, historically, the only reason I've ever eaten in restaurants is as a means to make myself socialize. Pre-COVID, I had my usual haunts where I was friendly with the staff and I enjoyed that aspect. It was never about the food, tho.

I'm a darned good cook. Crown roasts, lamb, and duck are about the only items I've never fully mastered. So, I'm not lacking variety.

I've heard of the recent practice of Virtual Dinner Parties using social media applications to gather people for a meal. I might give that a shot.

[genxlib]

36. Fairly regularly

It is difficult to feed my family because no one really likes to cook. I am an omnivore for the most part but others around here are really limited. The net result is that our Venn Diagram on what is acceptable is fairly confined.

There are generally three ways around this. 1) Stick to regular menu items we do agree on which gets boring. 2) Make more than one dish at every sitting Ugh. 3) Let someone else do the cooking from a menu broad enough to satisfy everyone.

We end up doing all three to make it work.

The only thing I would add is that we are not in as high risk of an area as you are. And we are not particularly high risk ourselves.

However, I never do anything for a single meal. Whether I am cooking or ordering, I always plan for leftovers. If I don't get at least two meals out of it, I consider it a failure.

[HockeyMom]

37. One Take Out was enough

All the better Take Out Restaurants are at least 15/20 miles from where we live. NONE of them deliver to our area. Probably too far away and not enough population.

Husband placed an order for p/u at one Seafood Restaurant which was recommended to us. By the time he got home it was cold. Reheating fried fish and fries is horrible.

So I decided at my next trip to the store I would buy my own fresh fish and cook it myself same night. Beer battered it myself, deep fried it, and also made my own fries. Went straight from the pan to our table.

Delicious, and a lot CHEAPER than that cold restaurant take out food. I suppose I now know why they don't deliver to our area.

[luvs2sing]

44. Home-fried fish is the best!

We had a similar experience with burgers and fries. There is a great barbecue place about 3/4 of a mile from us. Everything about this place is wonderful, especially their (not barbecue) cheeseburger. One night, we ordered burgers and fries, and they were soggy and horrible even a five-minute drive away. We still order from them, but stick to their delicious salads. I’m making my own burgers and fries now.

[Tracer]

38. Had take-out from a small Thai restaurant in my town on Friday.

It was busy and the owner was very happy that it is busy.

[luvs2sing]

40. Once a week, just like before the pandemic.

As soon as this started, five of our favorite small independent restaurants really stepped up the safety measures, curbside service, discounts, etc. They were all ahead of the game. We know most of the owners and staff, and we feel safe ordering from them.

[samnsara]

41. im not in an area where food delivery is possible and as far as take out..

.....hubby and i thought we would grab some food at a local restaurant..curb side delivery, to give a local biz our support..but honestly after looking at the online menus, other than burgers and sandwiches, there's nothing I want to buy to take home (a 20 mile rt to town and back) in a plastic container to eat (which would have to be reheated anyway).

We havent needed to utilized the grocery curbside pick up yet.

When we do buy fresh fruits and veggies we get them from the bottom of the pile and just do the normal washing.

I do have a friend in NYC who has a compromised immune system..shes stuck in a second floor apt with her little dog and her life depends on the grocery delivery service. Shes had good and bad experiences..like the delivery person who left her order on the ground floor...apples and potatoes and other heavy stuff...forcing her to carry all the stuff up the stairs herself. When she gets a GOOD delivery she tips VERY well!

What I have suggested to her is to buy an Aero Garden. I have a small one for fresh herbs but the larger ones can grow basil and tomatoes. That's always an option. The big ones are about 700$. Might be worth the expense for less exposure.

[LisaL]

42. I've been ordering using delivery, throwing out containers, and microwaving for 2 minutes for extra

virus protection. Of course you have to order something that can be microwaved and still taste good (not a salad). The delivery service is doing no contact delivery, so they are leaving the bag with the food by the door.

[sinkingfeeling]

52. I have done take out twice. With restaurants I love and trust.

I eliminate their bags before I get in car, spray cartons with Lysol, and dump food into my containers when reaching home. Wearing mask and gloves during whole trip. Also wipe down debit card.

[ooky]

54. I'm doing pretty much the same as you described.

Non-perishables to the garage for a decontamination period, washing my perishables with soap and water before they go into the refrigerator/freezer. I have not brought in a take out meal pr had a meal delivered yet, but I do that very often before the pandemic. I think your take on it is probably correct though. I doubt I would be too worried about eating it.

[obamanut2012]

55. SOFL, we do delivery every Wednesday and Friday

Only from locally-owned places.

Pre-CV-19 we ate out rarely, maybe once every three months (excluding at IKEA every now and then), and only did delivery or takeout once or twice a month.

I still have a job, and am trying to help locals and their employees keep afloat.

Even though starting tomorrow I can eat in a place, I will not be dining in any place until at least the Fall.

on edit: a;; we do is have only one of us interact with the driver and handle the bag, and then wash our hands. We tip the drivers very well.

[MineralMan]

56. For two months, I did not buy any take-out food.

This past week, though, I tried it and, to my surprise, it was an acceptable choice for me. See the account at:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213406203

[milestogo]

58. Exclusively cooking.

Shopping once or twice a week.

[tulipsandroses]

60. Some days I don't feel like cooking so I get delivery.

I'm used to doing it on my lazy days, pre Coronavirus anyway so its not a new concept to me. The difference now is, that they leave it at the door. Before coronavirus, they would ring the doorbell and hand it to me. Leaving it at the door, there is no contact. So there is not much risk with them leaving it at the door. I use door dash so the meal is paid for before delivery so there is no need for contact.

I got takeout at Applebee's recently. Same thing, minimal contact. They have a bunch of payment terminals that you use to pay for your meal without human contact.

[qwlauren35]

61. I'm not near NY

I think if I was, I might do things differently.

We don't cook much in my house, so we do a lot of take-out. I feel no guilt. No fear. I'm hungry.

[DFW]

64. We are doing 95% home cooking, take-out once or twice a month

We have a fabulous Greek restaurant about 100 meters from our house door, and sometimes get souvlaki or tzatziki from them. Once, last month, we even got a pizza from a local Italian place, something we haven't done in close to 20 years. My two (count 'em) work trips since March were in the last two weeks, and each time, the office I was at ordered out for lunch. The first time was a Syrian/Lebanese place with FABULOUS Levantine food (I had two of my favorites, Babaganoush and Shish Tawouk). The second time was a Thai/Chinese place that as so-so, but not bad.

My wife is a master chef, so if we go out, it is only to give her time off (and she likes to cook, anyway), not because the food is better elsewhere.

[zeusdogmom]

65. Don't do take out much in normal times

So there hasn't been a big change in my daily pattern. I do my own cooking and have been using what is in my pantry. I did venture out to Costco late last week - Zeus Dog was running out of his favorite chew treats. Can't have that happening. So while I stocked up on chews, I restocked my pantry - first since March 12 and am enjoying fresh tomatoes and avocados. Yum!! Everyone in masks and social distancing and I was very diligent about not touching, hand sanitizing, etc. Always a chance one can pick up the nasty virus but at some point we are going to have to take the leap and rejoin society. I did get pick up my self pizza one night from my favorite local pizza place - it was SO good and I blissfully ate the left overs for several days. A large pizza can feed a single person over several meals especially with salad from the garden. Pizza take out seems to produce less trash than other takeout items. Other than that one pizza, my meals have been wonderful food from my kitchen. Not bragging, but I'm good in the kitchen. 😄

[Corgigal]

66. 5 meals we cook in,

twice a week we order grub hub. People leave the food on our stairs. We don’t get near each other. Pick up using a gloved hand, wipe off all containers before opening.

[MoonRiver]

67. We do take-out every few days. Haven't done delivery yet.

Can't wait until it feels safe to go back to restaurants. But who knows how long that will be.

[smirkymonkey]

70. I have been craving Chinese from my favorite place, will probably order some in the upcoming week.

It comes in plastic containers which I can wipe down with disinfectant spray and then transfer to bowls to heat up in the microwave. It will get me through a few days of meals.

Also haven't had pizza for a while and I finally found a really good local place to deliver. I can just wipe down the boxes and then wrap the slices in foil and heat them up in the toaster oven as I need them.

[nolabear]

71. We do get delivery and we do use GrubHub.

We mostly cook but we get delivery now and then, handle packages carefully, use GrubHub because frankly they have lots of info as to what’s out there and we just do the best we can.

[LuckyCharms]

72. I'm in NYS. Have not done take-out food in the traditional sense.

But have done Wegmans prepared foods via Instacart.

[Marrah_Goodman]

73. I am preparing my own meals every day

Last edited Sun May 10, 2020, 03:05 PM - Edit history (1)

Edit: I just ordered a fisherman's platter to be delivered as a Mother's Day present to myself

[bigtree]

74. it would be a break in our defenses

...so our family, 4 in this household, don't bring it in the house. Both the boys, however, eat takeout regulary.

[tavernier]

75. Absolutely.

Masks for pick up, squirt from big jug of Purell in car each time I get in, all bags and wrappings trashed, however many handwashings necessary in this process, eat and let stomach acid kill any nasties that were in the food
itself. I have it down to an art, and I feel pretty safe with it. Oh, and I spray Lysol spray on the door handles and anything else I feel needs a little refreshing.