Overview
The 2020s are an age of many things, but an underrated symbol of this decade is the age of convenience. Not only can our phones keep us entertained but they can also keep our pantries stocked and bellies full.
Apps like DoorDash put even more convenience in our hands — and not just by being able to order from the local Dominos without having to interact with another human being. Depending on your nearby providers, you can order almost any essential item straight to your door, so below we've highlighted some of the lesser-known items you might one day need delivered.
With bonuses for new users, plus a daily specials series (running until Saturday, March 23) for beloved vendors — think $5 burritos and buy-one-get-one subs. There's no reason not to give DoorDash a whirl.
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Fresh fruit and veggies
We all dread forgetting the groceries, leaving it to the last minute when it's easier to hang on the couch binging a sitcom. Gone are the days of being forced to wear outside clothes and head to the shops. Nowadays, if you live within range of a participating grocer, you can simply press a few buttons, and a dasher will drop everything you need for a fruit bowl or salad right outside.
Best for: fixing a healthy feed at the last minute.
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Meat and poultry
Picture this: Friday night, you've had a long day at work rushing to hit a few end-of-week deadlines, friends are coming over for dinner, and you've got a barbecue for the ages planned. The grill's preheated and it's time to grab a steak and some chicken drumsticks out of the fridge — but they're two days past their best and smell like a bin. Fret not. The supermarket rule applies here too. Pick a replacement cut from a grocer; if it's available, a dasher can drop it at your door.
Best for: replacing off meat when you've got a horde of carnivores coming over.
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Beer, wine and spirits
If there's a house party, dinner party or grownup birthday party coming up and your bar cart's looking a little empty, sure enough, DoorDash can come to the rescue if you have participating merchants nearby. With deliveries available from BWS, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, Porter's Liquor and a range of independent bottle shops, you needn't worry about running out for drinks. From a ritzy champagne to a cold four-pack of premixed cocktails, the dashers will get your drinks to your door. Note: you will need to show ID upon receipt of the liquid goods.
Best for: a last-minute addition for a party when you realise you've inadvertently emptied the home bar.
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Over-the-counter medicine
If you're sick as a dog, feeling wiped out and legitimately cannot (and should not) leave the house, you can wait for your roommate or S/O to get a minute to get something for you and suffer a while longer, or open DoorDash. You'll find actual pharmacies here, and while they can't fill a prescription, they can send your choice of over-the-counter meds on their way to help beat any bug.
Best for: when you're fighting a bug with no strength to leave home.
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Batteries and chargers
You may take your phone with you everywhere you go, but do you bring a charger? You don't want to be caught amiss if your battery runs flat. Similarly, finding out you're out of actual batteries tends to happen when you need one most. Don't panic because if you've still got even 1% left on your charge, open up DoorDash and summon a fresh pack of power on its way to you ASAP, whether it's a wall plug or a AAA, you'll find one here.
Best for: replacing the charger you forgot to pack.
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Toiletries and hygiene products
Running out of essential bathroom or hygiene items can be a disaster, especially in critical moments. Say you're in need of a fresh can of deodorant for a date; you're glued to the loo but didn't realise you were down to the scraps of your TP supply. Nightmare. With the participating grocers on DoorDash, everything from Lynx Africa bodywash to menstruation products are just a press of a button away.
Best for: an emergency refill of the bathroom cabinet.
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Fresh flowers
Nothing can heal the wounds of a bad day like a bit of romance at home. Say you want to surprise a special someone or simply pep up your home decor if it feels a bit short on colour and life, flowers can help you out. If there's a participating florist within range, a dasher can collect a fine bouquet and ferry it to your door in a flash. Particularly useful if you've forgotten a key birthday or anniversary and need an emergency surprise.
Best for: a romantic surprise that won't require a drive.
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Desserts and confectionary
Anyone can tell you that a little sweet treat to break up the working day is essential. Feeling overwhelmed from a big day of studying? Little treat. Back-to-back deadlines at work? A little treat will help. If you're within range of a bakery, convenience store, or anywhere with a dessert menu, the power of a little treat is within your grasp on DoorDash.
Best for: curing a mid-afternoon slump.
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Hot (or iced) coffee and tea
A tea or coffee can really work wonders to fix a bad day or poor mood. It's science! If you fancy a cuppa tea order some of your favourite blends from a nearby grocer, or get a fresh round of espresso coffee delivered from a nearby cafe with DoorDash.
Best for: an emergency pick me up at work or home when you're too busy to self-brew.
Delivery gifting
It's easy to order anything for yourself, follow your wants and needs, and order from local businesses accordingly. However, you might not have considered the possibility of ordering something for someone else. DoorDash offers a gifting service on the app. You just put in the recipient's address and tick the gifting option at the bottom, fill in an order, and then add a personalised message. Add the recipient's phone number to the order and send them the gift link to tell them it's coming. Easy.
Best for: an easy gift for a special someone.
Download the DoorDash app for free on the Apple Store or Google Play to find out what's nearby. For more information, visit the website.