DoorDash Releases 2020’s Biggest Food Trends in Deep Dish Report

Food trends identified by DoorDash can help operators refresh their product offerings based on changing consumer preference.  

DoorDash, the nation’s leader in the on-demand food delivery space, today unveiled their DoorDash Deep Dish report, detailing the top takeout and cooking trends to date as we make our way past the halfway mark of the year.

Using order data from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and a national consumer survey, DoorDash’s mid-year report checks in on popular food trends, nationally and regionally, how users ate through social distancing, cravings across the country, and more. The national consumer survey polled 2,000 Americans on what they cooked, ate, and baked the most, the top food and drink they missed while restaurants were closed, the impact the past six months have had on vacation plans, and more.  

Check out highlights from the DoorDash Deep Dish below:

• More cooking, more problems: 70% of Americans have spent more time cooking over the past 6 months, and 47% agree that they’re tired of it
• DoorDash to the rescue: 25% of Americans order more food when they order takeout so they have leftovers
• Winner winner, no more cooking chicken dinner: Almost half of respondents (41%) are most tired of cooking chicken, followed by pasta and microwave meals. While tired of cooking chicken, Americans aren’t sick of ordering in chicken 

• NYC and DC DoorDash customers love to order in chicken–their top items ordered were compiled of chicken favorites like Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Quesadilla, Chicken Parmigiana, Crispy Chicken BLT, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken in NYC and Roasted Chicken, Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders, and Curry Chicken in DC.  
• Chicken Sandwich + french fries was the top food item ordered on DoorDash this year, with Chicken Fajitas also making the list as the 8th most ordered item. 

• $2.5K Magic: The largest amount spent on a single DoorDash food order this year was an order worth $2,578 that included 70 orders of Mediterranean herb chicken, 40 orders of grilled vegetables, and 20 cheese plates
• Comfort food cravings: By a nearly 3:1 margin, people are more likely to crave comfort food (53%) than healthier foods (18%). DoorDash’s order data supports this behavior, with trending items in the first half of 2020 including Queso Blanco (1,735% increase), Create Your Own Pizza (1,501% increase), Cinnamon Rolls (1,400% increase), Cheese Nachos (1,130% increase), Spinach and Artichoke Dip (1,092% increase), and New York Style Cheesecake (843% increase)
• Banana bread versus cookies: While we may have seen banana bread on the ‘gram, cookies were the most-baked item during COVID (60%). Banana Bread won the battle against Sourdough bread, which was at the bottom of the list with only 19% of respondents saying they baked this. Cookies also surged in order frequency, with Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies seeing a 1,193% increase in orders compared to the first half of 2019
• More time at home, more breakfast + coffee, please: With more Americans at home to abide by social distancing guidelines, breakfast items ordered on DoorDash surged in 2020. Breakfast burritos were the 7th most ordered item on DoorDash in 2020. Top breakfast items on the rise include Oatmeal (1,768% increase), Iced Caramel Coffee (1,660% increase), Cinnamon Rolls (1,400% increase), Iced French Vanilla Coffee (1,028% increase), Strawberry Banana Smoothies (822% increase), Biscuits with Gravy (818% increase), and Blueberry Muffins (779% increase)
• Mexican was the food Americans missed the most: 82% of respondents miss eating at least one type of cuisine because it is too difficult to prepare at home. At 40%, Mexican is the number one food type people miss, followed closely by seafood at 34%. Americans made up for missing eating Mexican and Seafood out by ordering these cuisines in–the top items ordered this year on DoorDash include Spicy Shrimp Tacos (3rd most ordered item), California Roll (6th most ordered), Breakfast Burritos (7th most ordered), Chicken Fajitas (8th most ordered), Spicy Tuna Roll (9th most ordered) and Fish & Chips (10th most ordered). Top trending Mexican items ordered on DoorDash include Queso Blanco (1,735% increase), Grilled Chicken Tacos (1,502% increase), Cheese Nachos (1,130% increase), Shrimp Tacos (997% increase), and Chicken Fajitas (318% increase). 

• The west coast disagrees: their top response is sushi, edging Mexican food 36% to 34%. Top DoorDash orders from West Coasters support this, with Sushi and Seafood being the dominant items ordered in LA and Seattle, respectively, and West Coast top dinner items including Spicy Tuna Rolls and Dragon Rolls

• Hot takeout summer: While 63% of respondents have canceled vacation travel due to COVID, 71% are still planning to take some vacation this summer. In thinking about travel, 75% of respondents say food is important in determining summer travel plans

• While on summer vacation this year, the top dining strategy is takeout, selected by 55%

• Dreaming of Margaritaville: 59% are excited to order an alcoholic drink when they return to a normal restaurant routine, and margarita is the number one option, selected by 20%. Frose is out, with only 2.1% of Americans excited to order this 2019 staple
• The state of flavor in America: San Francisco’s top items were Indian staples like Chicken Tikka Masala, Samosas, and Saag Paneer. Cheese was supreme in Denver with top items including Mac & Cheese, Cheesy Garlic Bread, and Mozzarella Sticks. Miami loves their Latin American flavors with top items including Sweet Plantains, Fried Yuca, Tres Leches, and Tostones, and Austin loves some Tex-Mex, with top items including Burritos, Baja Shrimp Taco, and Fried Avocado Tacos. Check out more favorites in LA, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia below
• Millennials and intermittent fasting: 45% of respondents have tried at least one of three select new food habits: 30% intermittent fasting; 16% foods infused with CBD; 13% foods with collagen. Intermittent fasting is especially popular with older millennials (25-34-year-olds) as 40% say they’ve tried it
• Plant-based on the rise: 18-24 year olds ranked plant-based as the most appetizing vegan dish and DoorDash orders for Plant-based Burgers surged 443% increase in 2020  

DoorDash Data 

Top Foods of 2020 To Date (Top Food Items ordered from 1/1/20 to 6/30/20 - US) 

1. Chicken Sandwich + French Fries 
2. Mac and Cheese 
3. Spicy Shrimp Tacos 
4. Make Your Own Pizza 
5. Iced Coffee 
6. California Roll 
7. Breakfast Burrito 
8. Chicken Fajitas 
9. Spicy Tuna Roll 
10. Fish & Chips 

Top Condiments of 2020 To Date  

1. Ranch
2. Sour Cream 
3. Soy Sauce
4. Hot Mustard 
5. Spicy Mayo 
6. Ketchup
7. Hot Sauce
8. Honey Mustard 
9. Salsa
10. Honey BBQ 

Top 20 Food On The Rise This Year That You Should Expect To See More Of: 

1. Oatmeal - 1,768% increase 
2. Queso Blanco - 1,735% increase 
3. Iced Caramel Coffee - 1,660% increase 
4. Grilled Chicken Taco - 1,502% increase 
5. Create Your Own Pizza - 1,501% increase
6. Cinnamon Rolls - 1,400% increase 
7. Cheese Nachos - 1,130% increase
8. Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie - 1,193% increase
9. Spinach and Artichoke Dip - 1,092% increase 
10. Iced French Vanilla Coffee - 1,028% increase  
11. Shrimp Tacos - 997% increase 
12. New York Style Cheesecake - 843% increase 
13. Strawberry Banana Smoothie - 822% increase
14. Biscuits with Gravy - 818% increase 
15. Vegetable Samosa - 788% increase
16. Blueberry Muffin - 779% increase 
17. Plant-based Burgers - 433% increase
18. Chicken Fajitas - 318% increase 
19. Churros - 260% increase
20. Horchata - 200% increase 

*compared ordered behavior from January - June 2020 and January - June 2019 

The State of Flavor in America - Top Items in US Cities 

LA: Sushi–California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Salmon Avocado Roll, Rainbow Roll, and Shrimp Tempura Roll are top sushi items ordered

SF: Indian–Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Basmati Rice, Samosas, and Saag Paneer are top items ordered   

Denver: Cheese is Supreme–Mac & Cheese, Mozzarella Sticks, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chicken Quesadillas, and Chips & Queso are top items ordered

Chicago: Is A Hot Dog a Sandwich?–Italian Beef Sandwich, Hot Dog, Chicken Sandwich, Chili Cheese Dog, Beef Croissant Sandwich are top items ordered

Austin: Tex-Mex–Chips & Queso, Burritos, Baja Shrimp Taco, Fried Avocado Taco, and Chicken Fajitas are top items ordered 

Atlanta: Sweet Tooth–Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cookies & Cream Milkshake, Brownie, Apple Pie, and Banana Bread are top items ordered    

Miami: Latin American Flavors–Sweet Plantains, Fried Yuca, Jerk Chicken, Tres Leches, and Tostones are top items ordered   

DC: Chicken–Roasted Chicken, Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Tenders, and Curry Chicken are top items ordered    

Philadelphia: American Staples–Chicken Nuggets, Cheesesteaks, Cheeseburgers, Italian Hoagie, and Boneless Wings are top items ordered   

NYC: Chicken–Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Quesadilla, Chicken Parmigiana, Crispy Chicken BLT, Buttermilk Fried Chicken are top items ordered 

Seattle: Seafood–California Roll, Fish & Chips, Crab Rangoon, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Tartar Sauce are top items ordered 

Top Food Items ordered this year during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night 

East Coast: 

• Breakfast: Iced Coffee, Donuts, Steak Omelette, Belgian Waffle, Bagel with Butter   
• Lunch: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Chips, Iced Tea, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Turkey Sandwich  
• Dinner: Chicken Quesadilla, Caesar Salad, Spicy Tuna Roll, Fried Rice, Gyoza 
• Late Night: Chicken Fingers, Apple Pie, Mozzarella Sticks, Strawberry Milkshake, Sugar Cookies  

West Coast: 

• Breakfast: Breakfast Burrito, Bacon, French Toast, Latte, Pancakes 
• Lunch: Create Your Own Pizza, Miso Soup, Veggie Spring Rolls, Chicken Egg Roll, Orange Chicken  
• Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala, Spicy Tuna Roll, Mongolian Beef, Bean Burrito, Dragon Roll 
• Late Night: Stuffed Jalapenos, Mini Churros, Cheesecake, Horchata, Fried Zucchini 

Midwest: 

• Breakfast: BEC on a Biscuit, Iced French Vanilla Latte, Breakfast Sampler, Oatmeal, Strawberry Banana Smoothie 
• Lunch: Mac & Cheese, Potstickers, Italian Beef Sandwich, Hot Dog, Chili   
• Dinner: Potstickers, Chimichanga, Street Tacos, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fettuccine Alfredo 
• Late Night: French Fries, Chocolate Milkshake, Cheese Sliders, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon Rolls 

South: 

• Breakfast: Sausage Biscuit, Hash Brown Burrito, Orange Juice, Fruit Salad, Buttered Biscuit 
• Lunch: Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Buffalo Wings, Strawberry Lemonade, Nachos, Southwestern Eggrolls  
• Dinner: Fried Chicken, Sweet Iced Tea, Banana Pudding, Country Fried Steak, Ribeye  
• Late Night: Onion Rings, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cheesecake, Nachos, Cinnamon Rolls  

DoorDash Deep Dish National Survey Results

More time spent cooking is tiring people out

• 70% have spent more time cooking; 33% much more. Only 7% have spent less time cooking
• 25% order more food when they order takeout so they have leftovers
• 47% agree that they are “tired of cooking for myself after 3 months of Covid-19 restrictions.”
• Chicken is the number one dish people are tired of cooking, selected by 41%. Pasta and microwave meals, are what Americans are also tired of cooking, selected at 37%
• 53% say they’re bored when cooking these foods, followed by 35% who say they’re tired of cooking the following:

• Chicken or other meat based dish 41%
• Pasta dishes 37%
• Microwave meals 37%
• Hamburger and hot dogs 32%
• Instant noodles and soup 31%
• Meals in an instant cooker, slow cooker and/or air fryer 22%
• Casseroles and meatloaf 21%

 Cookies are filling cravings for comfort food

• By a nearly 3:1 margin, people are more likely to crave comfort food (53%) than healthier foods (18%)
• Almost half of the respondents (49%) have bought new kitchen items during the Covid-19 crisis. 24% have bought new pots and pans, and 22% have bought new baking sheets

• Younger respondents are more likely to have bought new items: 57% of under 44-year-olds have done so, compared to 35% of over 54-year-olds
• Cooking and baking items most purchased:

• Pot or pan 24%
• Baking sheet 22%
• Measuring cups 19%
• Coffee maker 17%
• Pizza cutter 16%
• KitchenAid 13%

• 80% have baked since the crisis, and cookies are the number one item, baked by 60%. Cake and brownies are statistically tied for second at 48% and 46%, respectively

• Items baked during the pandemic:

• Cookies 60%
• Cake 48%
• Brownies 46%
• Banana bread 32%
• Pie 24%
• Sourdough bread 19%

 People missing eating out, especially Mexican food and margaritas, and sushi

• 88% agree that they’re “excited for the day when I can eat restaurant food the same way I could before Covid-19.” Half of them (44%) strongly agree
• 78% agree that, “I wish I had a wider range of food options than I do when restricted due to Covid-19”
• 82% of respondents miss eating at least one type of cuisine because it is too difficult to prepare at home. At 40%, Mexican is the number one food type people miss, followed closely by seafood at 34%

• The west coast disagrees: their top response is sushi, edging Mexican food 36% to 34%
• Food respondents miss due to closed restaurants and difficulty of preparing at home:

• Mexican 40%
• Seafood 34%
• Sushi 30%
• Italian 30%
• BBQ 29%
• Desserts 23%
• Mediterranean 16%
• Ramen 11%

• Mexican food is also the food people are most excited to eat when they resume normal restaurant routines, selected by 21%. Here again, seafood ranks second, at 18%

• The west coast disagrees again: their top response is sushi, edging Mexican food 23% to 18%.
• 25-34 year-olds agree: they select sushi 23% of the time, compared to 21% for Mexican
• Food Americans are most excited to eat when restaurants reopen:

• Mexican 21%
• Seafood 18%
• Sushi 16%
• Italian 14%
• BBQ 12%

• 59% are excited to order an alcoholic drink when they return to a normal restaurant routine, and margarita is the number one option, selected by 20%

• Men are more divided on the issue than are women. 17% of men select beer while 16% select margarita – a statistical tie. 24% of women select margarita, compared to just 5% who select beer.
• Drinks respondents are most excited to order when bars and restaurants open again:

• Margaritas 20%
• Classic cocktail 11%
• Beer 11%
• Wine 8%
• Aperol Spritz 7%

Food habits are changing

• 45% have tried at least one of three select new food habits: 30% intermittent fasting; 16% foods infused with CBD; 13% foods with collagen

• Intermittent fasting is especially popular with 25-34-year-olds… 40% say they’ve tried it

• 20% have seriously considered veganism, and 6% are or have been vegan at some point in time
• Vegetable pasta is the most appetizing vegan dish among options, ranked first by 31%. By contrast, tofu dishes are least appetizing, ranked last by 36%

• 18-24 year olds ranked plant-based meat first at 27% instead of vegetable pasta, showing that this age group is all in on plant-based meat 

Instagram’s impact

• 21% have visited a restaurant just because they saw it on Instagram. An additional 22% haven’t done so but want to

• 18-24-year-olds are more Instagram-influenced. 32% have visited a restaurant just because they saw it on Instagram, and 43% haven’t done so but want to

• 28% have ordered a specific dish because they saw it on Instagram. 10% did so because it would look good in a photo
• The most common dish that Americans order because of the ‘gram is pasta. Other food items that are Instagram worthy, according to respondents, are:

• Fast food, pizza, dessert, chicken, Japanese, seafood, and Mexican 

Vacation impact

• 63% have cancelled vacation travel due to Covid-19. 26% have cancelled multiple trips
• Among those who’ve cancelled trips, 24% have cancelled a trip to Florida, 18% to California, and 55% to another US destination
• 80% say Covid-19 health and safety limits their vacation options, followed by 37% who say financial strain is a limiting factor
• 71% are still planning to take some vacation this summer. 47% say they’ll be visiting friends and family, followed by 32% visiting the beach or a lake
• 81% intend to travel by car, while only 23% say they may use airplane travel this summer

Dining while on vacation

• 75% say food is important in determining summer travel plans. 17% say it is very important

• Food importance is correlated with youth: 86% for 18-24… 84% for 25-34… 80% for 35-44… 73% for 45-54… 63% for over 54-year-olds

• While on summer vacation, the top dining strategy is takeout, selected by 55%

Survey Methodology Summary

This survey was conducted using the online survey platform Pollfish and compiled by DKC Analytics. The sample of 2,000 adults (18 years or older) in the United States was surveyed between June 29, 2020 to July 1, 2020. The margin of error is 2.2% and no additional weighting was done to the initial sample. Pollfish’s survey platform delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web.