Over the past few months, two new food ordering services have launched in Toronto.  The first is UberEats, which was in “beta” earlier this year, and the other, DoorDash.  DoorDash is available both as a website for desktops as well as an app for your phone, while UberEats is app only (during its “beta” phase, one could order directly from their Uber app and was available at lunch only).

Partial screenshot of UberEats’ order status tracker

The good thing about both UberEats and DoorDash is the ability to track.  More established sites like Just-Eat and the now defunct OrderIt and Tasteaway just do not have.  Of course, UberEats, like the regular Uber service, not only lets you know the status of your order, but also exactly who is delivering your food in addition to the amount of time it’ll take for your meal to arrive.  DoorDash, however, is not as specific.  It will let you know the status of your order and the name of your delivery person, but not plate numbers or make of car.  In fact, I’m not even sure that’s really necessary.  Unlike an actual Uber ride, you’re likely waiting inside, in sweats or lounge wear.

Partial screenshot of the DoorDash app’s order tracking

In both cases, the interfaces are quite easy to use.  It’s just a matter of logging in, selecting the restaurant you wish to order from and then the items.  DoorDash is a bit less disorganized – additional items (such as sides, spice level, etc…) are selected in the following screen, while UberEats (often) requires you to scroll.  So if you want, say, a burger with poutine (rather than regular fries), you may need to scroll.  I don’t really understand why – UberEats could easily allow for additional choices on the next screen, even if it is an additional cost (which would be the case for poutine).  In both cases, restaurant selection is abundant, perhaps more than a more “traditional” online delivery service like Just-Eat, and ranges from fast food and fast casual joints (including places like McDonald’s, believe it or not!) to proper restaurants such as The Harbord Room.  You are also notified whenever the status is updated.

Now have I had any bad experiences using either?  Never has a delivery person been rude to me or extremely late (without calling), so no.  I did receive a (slightly) incorrect order once, but it wasn’t the service’s fault, but the restaurant’s.  However, it IS noted in my account that I am to be contacted should there be any unavailable items, which they did not do.  Again, restaurant issue.  This would NOT stop me from ordering through DoorDash.  In fact, I recommend both DoorDash and UberEats equally, depending on what you want.  Their selection of restaurants is actually better (in many cases) than Just-Eat or Foodora (formerly Hurrier) – at least in my part of Toronto.