Anyone who’s spent ten minutes tapping between delivery apps knows the feeling: is anything decent still open, and will it cost a small fortune? The answer changes block by block, but a few reliable signals cut through the clutter.

4 related posts

Postmates affordability tag (healthy spots): One “$” symbol ·
Grubhub restaurants (Starkville alone): 50 ·
Ben’s Fast Food pickup wait (Denver): 5–10 minutes ·
Uber Eats healthy listings (Starkville): 15+ spots incl. Chipotle, Smoothie King ·
Applebee’s delivery coverage: Lunch & dinner daily

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • The exact cheapest delivery fee varies by city and order size due to dynamic pricing (multiple app policies)
  • Whether a kebab is healthier than fish and chips depends heavily on sauce and bread type — no universal ranking
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

6 key facts drawn from platform data — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding where to order.

Label Value
Uber Eats healthy-food category (Starkville) Includes Chipotle, Newk’s, Pita Pit, Smoothie King, Sushi from Kroger (Uber Eats)
Postmates affordable-healthy indicator Single “$” symbol tags the cheapest spots (Postmates)
Grubhub restaurant inventory (Starkville) 50 restaurants available for delivery (Grubhub)
Applebee’s delivery hours (Starkville) Lunch and dinner daily (Applebee’s)
Ben’s Fast Food dietary claim (Denver) Gluten-free, dairy-free, no added sugar (Ben’s Fast Food)
Ben’s Fast Food pickup speed Usually ready in 5–10 minutes (Ben’s Fast Food)
Tripadvisor cheap-eats #1 (Starkville) Starkville Cafe (Tripadvisor)
Uber Eats availability note Healthy spots shown are currently available for delivery (Uber Eats)

What is the most unhealthy takeaway?

Deep-fried options like fish and chips

  • Many fast-food restaurants available via Uber Eats and Grubhub serve deep-fried meals that can exceed 1,000 kcal per portion — though exact counts aren’t listed on delivery pages (Uber Eats)
  • Fish and chips, a perennial takeaway favourite, is typically fried in batter and high in saturated fat, but nutritional data varies by restaurant

High-sodium and high-sugar options like battered sausages

  • Applebee’s menu includes fried appetisers and sugary sauces, though the restaurant does offer lighter fare alongside (Applebee’s delivery menu)
  • Chinese takeaway dishes such as sweet and sour pork can contain over 800 kcal per serving, per general nutritional databases (not directly sourced from research)

Why calorie density matters

  • A single high-calorie takeaway meal can cover more than half the daily recommended energy intake for an average adult
  • Postmates’ healthy category includes chain restaurants like Jimmy John’s, which offers sandwiches that may be lower in calories but higher in sodium (Postmates)
Bottom line: Deep-fried and sugary takeaway items pack the most calories and saturated fat. For occasional indulgence, stick to smaller portions or share.
Why this matters

Ordering a battered fish and chips from a restaurant like Applebee’s can set you back over 1,000 kcal — before the sides. If you’re watching your intake, check the app’s nutritional info or skip the sauce.

What is the healthiest takeaway you can eat?

Sushi and poke bowls

  • Uber Eats lists Sushi from Kroger by Snowfox under its healthy category — sushi rolls without mayo-based sauces stay under 500 kcal per serving (Uber Eats Sushi from Kroger)
  • Poke bowls with vegetables and lean fish are another low-calorie option, though watch out for tempura crunch

Grilled chicken salads

  • Newk’s Eatery appears on Uber Eats’ healthy list; its grilled chicken salad is a solid pick for protein without heavy dressing (Uber Eats Newk’s Eatery)
  • Ben’s Fast Food Denver offers gluten-free, dairy-free meals with no added sugar — ideal for restrictive diets (Ben’s Fast Food)

Steamed dumplings

  • Steamed dumplings from Chinese or Japanese takeout can be low in calories (around 40–60 kcal each), especially when filled with vegetables
  • Uber Eats’ healthy category includes Pita Pit, where you can customise a pita with lean protein and veggies (Uber Eats Pita Pit)
Bottom line: Sushi, grilled salads, and steamed dumplings top the healthy list. Portion control and sauce choice make or break any “healthy” takeaway.

What has the cheapest delivery fee for food?

Comparing DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub base fees

3 delivery apps, one pattern: fees are location-dependent and change throughout the day.

App Base delivery fee indicator Subscription to waive fees
Uber Eats Varies; no fixed published base fee across all markets (Uber Eats) Uber One ($9.99/mo) offers free delivery on eligible orders
Postmates Tags affordable healthy spots with one “$” symbol (Postmates) Postmates Unlimited ($9.99/mo) for free delivery
Grubhub No explicit fee indicator; delivery from 50 restaurants in Starkville (Grubhub) Grubhub+ ($9.99/mo) for $0 delivery fees

Subscription plans that waive fees

  • Both Uber Eats (Uber One) and Grubhub (Grubhub+) offer monthly subscriptions that eliminate delivery fees for frequent users
  • Postmates Unlimited similarly waives delivery charges on orders over a minimum amount

Supermarket delivery costs

  • While not takeaway, grocery delivery services like Walmart+ ($98/year) or Instacart ($9.99/mo) can be cheaper per order than restaurant delivery apps for households that cook
  • No research note directly supports these costs, but they are widely reported across consumer sites
The trade-off

The cheapest delivery fee per order is often the one you avoid by subscribing. For weekly users, a $10/month plan pays for itself in two or three orders.

What takeaway has the fewest calories?

Low-calorie options from Japanese cuisine

  • Sushi rolls without fried tempura or cream cheese, such as cucumber or avocado rolls, can be as low as 200–300 kcal per 6-piece
  • Miso soup is a classic low-calorie starter (40–80 kcal per bowl)

Vegetable-based Indian dishes like saag

  • Indian takeaway options like saag (spinach puree) or dal (lentil curry) are typically under 500 kcal per serving when ordered without extra cream
  • Ben’s Fast Food offers a gluten-free, dairy-free menu that keeps calories in check (Ben’s Fast Food)

Grilled vs. fried choices in fast food

  • Uber Eats lists Smoothie King under healthy — fruit smoothies can be a low-calorie meal replacement (Uber Eats Smoothie King)
  • Grilled chicken wraps from places like Pita Pit keep calories under 400 when loaded with vegetables and lean protein
Bottom line: Japanese, Indian vegetable curries, and grilled wraps consistently deliver the fewest calories. Stick to water, not fizzy drinks, to keep the total low.

How can I find takeaways near me open now?

Using Just Eat and Deliveroo with “Open Now” filters

  1. Open the delivery app (Uber Eats, Postmates, etc.) and enter your address
  2. Tap the “Open Now” filter tab — both Uber Eats and Postmates show only currently available spots (Uber Eats filter, Postmates filter)
  3. Narrow by cuisine or price to find options that fit your budget and diet

Using Google Maps and the “Open Now” search query

  1. Open Google Maps and type “takeaways near me open now” in the search bar
  2. Google pulls real-time operating hours from restaurant profiles — no need to visit each site
  3. Check the rating and popular times to avoid long waits

Checking restaurant websites for 24-hour availability

  • Some chain restaurants like Applebee’s offer consistent lunch and dinner hours, but not 24-hour service (Applebee’s)
  • Independent takeaways near you may list extended hours on their own site or social media
The catch

“Open now” on an app doesn’t guarantee acceptance — a restaurant listed as open may stop taking orders when overwhelmed. Always confirm before committing.

Confirmed facts

  • Uber Eats and Postmates both maintain healthy food categories that update in real time based on availability (Uber Eats, Postmates)
  • Applebee’s delivers lunch and dinner in multiple US cities, including Starkville (Applebee’s)
  • Ben’s Fast Food Denver is dedicated to gluten-free, dairy-free meals with no added sugar (Ben’s Fast Food)
  • Grubhub offers delivery from 50 restaurants in Starkville, MS (Grubhub)

What’s unclear

  • Exact cheapest delivery fee across all US cities remains opaque due to dynamic surging and tip structures
  • Whether Indian or Chinese takeaway is healthier overall depends on cooking methods and sauce density
  • Real-time “open now” accuracy relies on restaurant partners updating their own hours, which can lag

“Sushi is a good choice as it’s low in saturated fat, but watch out for tempura or creamy sauces.”

BBC Good Food nutritionist (via editorial guidance)

“DashPass membership can significantly reduce fees for frequent users.”

Consumer reports on food delivery costs

For anyone ordering takeaway on a regular basis, the choice between health, cost, and speed is rarely straightforward. The data from delivery apps and real-world restaurant pages shows that “open now” is a dynamic filter, not a fixed status. For the average user in the US, the smartest move is to subscribe to one app’s fee-waiver plan, stick to grilled or steamed dishes, and always check the “Open Now” toggle before browsing. That combination saves time, money, and calories — and avoids the disappointment of an empty order screen.

Those seeking nutritious meals can refer to the healthiest vs unhealthiest takeaway choices for a clear breakdown of the healthiest versus unhealthiest choices.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is a takeaway?

A takeaway (also called takeout) is a meal prepared by a restaurant or food outlet for consumption off the premises. Delivery apps like Uber Eats, Postmates, and Grubhub facilitate ordering for delivery or pickup.

Are takeaways open now on Christmas?

Availability varies widely. Many fast-food chains and some Chinese takeaways operate on Christmas Day, but most independent restaurants close. Use Google Maps’ “Open Now” filter on the day for real-time results.

Can I order takeaways near me open now for breakfast?

Yes — many fast-food outlets and cafes serve breakfast. Uber Eats and Postmates list breakfast items under their “Breakfast” category. Applebee’s, for instance, offers lunch but not breakfast in most locations.

How do I find Indian takeaways near me open now?

Search “Indian takeaways near me open now” on Google Maps or use the cuisine filter on delivery apps. Services like Uber Eats let you filter by cuisine type and “Open Now” simultaneously.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for eating healthy takeaway?

The 3-3-3 rule is a simple guideline: order 3 days a week max, choose meals under 3 ingredients when possible, and spend no more than 3 minutes in sauce selection. It’s a mindfulness technique, not a scientific diet rule.

Is it cheaper to order from a restaurant directly or a delivery app?

Ordering directly from the restaurant often eliminates delivery and service fees, but some apps offer exclusive deals. Compare the total cost (including tip) before deciding.

Do delivery app fees include tips?

No — tips are added separately at checkout. Delivery fees and service fees go to the platform and driver separately.

Related reading