munchery

Food Delivery Wars: Munchery versus Lish Part 2

Nicole Seana, ,

In a follow up to my previous post about the meal delivery service, Munchery, today I will review a competing service called Lish. Munchery is based in the San Francisco area, and has expanded to New York and Seattle. Lish a local business and is currently only offered in the Seattle area.

Part 2 – Lish:

Ordering – (3/5)

Easy to order using the website, but the app requires a Facebook login, and I refuse to get Facebook. There are good photos and an ingredients list, but no nutrition facts like Munchery provides. Few side dishes available.

  

Price – (4/5 points)

$10.95-13.95 per entree, slightly higher than Munchery. Few sides available on Lish, whereas Munchery offers many side dishes for about $4.99 which are fairly generous portions.

Delivery – (4/5 points)

Like Munchery, Lish delivery is always on time and send you text and email updates on the status of your delivery. They do not allow tips, and even if you try to offer cash they will refuse it. There is a mandatory $3.99 delivery fee built into the order (pretty cheap!). 

    
    

  

  

Packaging (4/5 points)

Like Munchery, the container is oven and microwave safe (and freezer safe), which is so convenient for clean up. The only downside is that Lish containers do not have a divider to keep entrees separate from sides, so they can get a little bit mixed up. This is not a big concern unless you are very picky about keeping items separate.

  
Ease of cooking (5/5 points)

Clear instructions on the package.

Taste (3/5 points for the “misses”, 100/5 points for the “hits”!)

Munchery is always consistent and good, and often delicious, but does not have many surprises as far as flavors go. It is meant for more of an American palate, it seems, though they do offer meals inspired by other cultures. Lish is much more diverse. It offers some very “upscale vegan hippie” choices (think PCC deli), some more authentic ethnic cuisine (think the Thai or Pakistani neighborhood restaurant that is sometimes a little greasy or too spicy for some). It is hit or miss, but the hits are sincerely some of the best meals I have ever eaten. I am a PCC deli kind of lady – so the opulent salads by Amanda Sue and Katie Peterson are always my first choice. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Food Delivery Wars: Munchery versus Lish Part 2

Food Delivery Wars: Munchery versus Lish

Nicole Seana, , , ,

Munchery and Lish are two similar meal delivery options serving the Seattle area. They are different than take out delivery, or even services like Postmates, GrubHub or Eat24 in that they are single serving meals, individually packaged, and are meant to constitute one complete plated meal. Imagine a very upscale frozen dinner that is ordered on an app on your phone from 5-10 attractively photographed options, except that it is fresh (not frozen), ready to eat (though more delicious if warmed according to the package instructions) and delivered to your door within an hour of the time you specify.

  
Part 1 – Munchery:
Ordering- (5/5 points) 
Very easy to use app with nice pictures, tabs for ingredients, preparation instructions and nutrition facts.
Price – (5/5 points)
$8.99 to $13.99 per meal (entree plus 2 sides) or $4.99 for most sides (a side salad or vegetable side). Basically the same or less than most restaurant quality take out delivery options in Seattle.
Delivery (4/5 points)
They are always on time and email and text you updates and reminders, which you can respond to. The only downside is that they do allow tips (Lish does not allow tips, and they will not accept your too even if you beg them!). Tipping is great, but I always tip the delivery person using the option on the app, but when someone is standing on my doorstep I feel bad not offering them some gratitude cash. This is inconvenient, however, because it means I have to go to the bank every now and then to have cash in the first place.
   

     

Packaging (5/5 points)
Visually appealing, and the separate compartments for the entree and sides helps to keep sauces from running together or moving around too much during delivery. Perfect for the 6 year old child in you who doesn’t want their foods to touch!
  
Ease of cooking (5/5 points)
Clear instructions, including microwave and oven methods (I usually choose the oven method – ~10 minutes at 375 degrees).
Taste (4/5 points)
Reliable, high quality (sit-down, cloth-napkins-restaurant quality), nutritionally balanced meals, taste has always been good to great , but never life changing. 
Lish, on the other hand, is either hit or miss, they are more creative, with more ethnic and eclectic options but though I’ve had some disappointing dishes from them, I have also had 3 of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. In the end, I think I prefer Lish. I will take my chances with the hope for sublimity, and if it is an off night for my Lish meal, there is always my homemade butternut squash, beet, walnut, sundried tomato kale pesto salad…never a bad back up plan!
Food Delivery Wars: Munchery versus Lish