Discover what are the top takeout food options to satisfy every craving

Takeout food has become a staple of modern dining, offering convenience, variety, and the ability to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home or at work, which is increasingly relevant in a daily basis for people and restaurant industry. For businesses, takeout represents an incredible opportunity to reach customers and have their loyalty in new and meaningful ways.

In this post, we’ll explore the best takeout food options, trends, and strategies to optimize your delivery offerings.

Popular Takeout Food Options

1. Pizza

When you think of takeout, pizza probably comes to mind first, and for a good reason. It’s not just about the delicious, cheesy goodness: it’s also about how well it travels. A properly packed pizza, with its durable box and evenly distributed toppings, arrives at your doorstep just as enticing as it was when it left the oven.

Popular toppings include pepperoni, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Consider offering gourmet options like truffle oil or arugula for a premium experience of your customers. Pair it with sides like garlic bread, mozzarella sticks, or a fresh salad to enhance the meal. 

Read more: CloudKitchens customer spotlight: Meek’s Vegan Pizza

2. Burgers and Fries

Another beloved choice is burgers and fries. Burgers have that satisfying mix of flavors and textures that make them a classic comfort food. However, anyone who’s ordered fries knows they can sometimes arrive soggy.

Restaurants have been getting creative with good packaging to keep them crispy, using vented containers and even experimenting with double-frying techniques. Adding a twist by offering sweet potato fries or onion rings as sides is a great way to stand out in the crowded takeout market.

3. Asian Cuisine

Asian cuisine also thrives in the takeout space, thanks to its rich flavors and variety. Sushi, chinese food, stir-fries, and dumplings are perennial favorites, loved for their vibrant ingredients and balance of textures.

Proper packaging is key to keeping sushi fresh and stir-fries from becoming soggy. Sauces often come separately to maintain the right consistency and flavor. Popular dishes like pad Thai or teriyaki chicken continue to delight customers, and combination platters are an easy way to boost order sizes.

Read more: What is comfort food? Why do customers like it and how can your restaurant benefit?

4. Mexican Food

Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas are popular for their portability and satisfying flavors. Wrapping them securely in foil keeps them warm and intact, ensuring they arrive just as delicious as they were when prepared.

Try to offer toppings like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream on the side gives customers the flexibility to customize their meal, while vegetarian options like bean burritos or tofu tacos cater to a wider audience.

5. Healthy Alternatives

As demand grows for healthier takeout, options like salads, grain bowls, and wraps have surged in popularity. Fresh, seasonal ingredients like kale, quinoa, and grilled chicken make these dishes appealing to health-conscious diners.

Presentation matters here. Compartments in containers help keep ingredients fresh and maintain their texture. Complementing these meals with health-focused beverages like smoothies can create a complete, guilt-free dining experience.

Read more: The 9 best food franchises to own in US

Qualities of good takeout foods

But what makes takeout truly successful? It’s all about qualities like travel-friendliness, heat retention, and presentation. Check some things you can not forget:

• Travel-friendly: Foods that stay intact and maintain quality during transport, such as sturdy sandwiches or well-sealed soups.
• Heat retention: Meals that remain warm, like casseroles or curries, or are easy to reheat without losing flavor.
• Presentation: Even in transit, visual appeal matters. Proper packaging can enhance the dining experience by keeping food looking fresh and appetizing.
• Customization: Allowing customers to personalize their orders, such as choosing spice levels or swapping ingredients, boosts satisfaction and loyalty.

Healthy takeout choices

For restaurant owners, adding health-focused meals to the menu can be a smart move. Using fresh, organic ingredients and offering options that cater to specific dietary needs, like gluten-free pasta or plant-based burgers, makes your menu inclusive and attractive.

As the demand for healthier options has grown significantly, so, consider these tips for adding health-focused meals to your menu:

• Use fresh, organic ingredients to attract health-conscious diners.
• Offer vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options like zoodles, plant-based burgers, or gluten-free pasta.
• Highlight nutritional benefits in your menu descriptions, such as “high in protein” or “low in sodium.”
• Provide clear labeling for dietary restrictions to make ordering easy for customers.

Read more: Menu costing for restaurants: maximize your profitability

Challenges in takeout food delivery

Of course, there are challenges to delivering excellent takeout. Maintaining food quality, especially for items that can lose their texture or flavor, requires the right packaging and preparation techniques.

Gathering feedback is another valuable tool; it provides insights into what’s working and where improvements can be made. Don’t forget to check:

• Food Quality: Maintaining texture, flavor, and temperature can be tricky during delivery. Use insulated bags and high-quality containers to preserve meals.
• Packaging: Invest in eco-friendly packaging solutions for delivery, such as biodegradable containers, that also protect the food.
• Timing: Optimize delivery routes with technology to minimize delays and keep meals fresh. Provide clear tracking for customers.
• Customer Feedback: Actively gather feedback to understand pain points and improve the takeout experience.

Optimizing your takeout menu

Crafting a takeout-friendly menu is essential for success. Crafting a takeout-friendly menu is more than just selecting popular dishes. Testing how well items travel, offering limited-time specials, and bundling meals together are effective strategies. Here’s how you will have success:

• Focus on dishes that are easy to transport and hold up well, such as rice bowls, pastas, and grilled items.
• Test new items to see how they fare during delivery. Consider offering limited-time specials to gauge customer interest.
• Use descriptive and enticing menu names and photos to attract orders, such as “Ultimate BBQ chicken bowl” or “Crispy tempura delight.”
• Offer bundled deals to increase order value, such as family-sized meals or appetizer combos.

Elevate your takeout business with Cloudkitchens’ innovative solutions

CloudKitchens can make all the difference on your delivery service, providing tailored solutions for takeout and delivery-focused businesses. We help restaurants streamline operations to expand your reach!

From optimized kitchens to advanced support, we help you streamline your operations and deliver exceptional experiences to your customers. Check all our solutions for you to start your food business right now!

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and the content does not constitute an endorsement. CloudKitchens does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, images/graphics, links, or other content contained within the blog content. We recommend that you consult with financial, legal, and business professionals for advice specific to your situation.