Valentine’s Day has the reputation of being a luxurious day that people share with their loved ones at expensive restaurants. While spending time with loved ones might be true, the expensive restaurant aspect might not be the reality. Looking at the 2019 Valentine’s Day food and booze trends from Postmates, a large portion of people are choosing to order in and dine on fast food during the holiday.
Spending a lot of money on new restaurants isn’t the only successful way to celebrate. You could say bye to the Michelin star restaurant that’ll break the bank, and perhaps use the money saved to get your partner a lavish gift instead. Need inspiration for what to get delivered? The team at Postmates shared what people ordered on Valentine’s Day in the United States in the past, and where exactly they ordered from.
Chipotle’s Chicken Burrito Bowl
The chicken burrito bowl from Chipotle takes the crown as the top place and item ordered on a romantic day. With over 2,500 Chipotle restaurants in the country, it’s no wonder people gravitated towards the familiar place. 74% of all orders from the restaurant that day were the chicken burrito bowl, making it an overwhelming majority.
Shake Shack’s Shack Burger
Coming in at number two is the tongue twister, Shake Shack’s Shack Burger. Although the franchise started out as a hotdog stand in New York, the burgers are now its most popular item. That didn’t change on Valentine’s Day, and a large portion of people got the burger for themselves and whoever else they spend the intimate evening with.
Panda Express’s Build Your Own Plate
The third most popular spot was Panda Express, where consumers ordered a majority of the build your own plate combo deal. Being able to personalize exactly what you want was appealing to couples and singles alike on Valentine’s Day. Some might order the fried rice and orange chicken, while your Galentine’s squad can order the lo mein they happen to love so much.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers’ Box Combo
Raising Cane’s box combo is ranked at number four for Valentine’s Day delivery items. The drink, fries, chicken fingers, Cane’s Sauce, toast, and interchangeable coleslaw make this combo a popular one on this romantic holiday. Raising Cane’s place is known for their chicken and sauce, so much so that it’s included with every menu item, so the box combo is an obvious choice.
Ordering in a Six-Pack of Beer
Getting a nice bottle of wine or champagne for the special night is one way to celebrate. However, the top-ranked alcoholic beverage ordered on Valentine’s Day on Postmates happened to be beer at 37%. The casual connotation that comes with getting beer reflects the laid-back approach some people are taking for the holiday. The delivery trends show that people went for the common and popular brands of alcoholic drinks, sticking to what they know just in case. Valentine’s Day seems to not be the time to step out of people’s comfort zones.
From Beer to Bubbly
Ranked at number two top drinks delivered on Valentine’s Day was champagne and wine. This isn’t necessarily surprising since wine embodies romance and champagne symbolizes celebration. From popping a bottle with your girlfriends, having a glass with yourself, or sharing the bottle with your partner, ordering in common brands of pinot or bubbly is a cozy yet cost-effective approach to the holiday.
Valentine’s Day Vodka
From making a mixed drink with it to taking a straight shot, Vodka is the number three drink ordered from Postmates on February 14th, 2019. The lovey-dovey day can be slightly awkward and nerve-wracking, meaning that some might need to ease their nerves with a shot or two. And who can blame them?
Vermont’s Valentine’s Day Splurge
Vermont spent the most money out of all other states in the U.S. when it comes to food and drink delivery on Valentine’s Day. By indulging in french fries over fancy restaurants, they took part in the casualization of this love-filled holiday. In fact, staying in and ordering a feast is the route was a huge trend throughout the eastern portion of the U.S.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show the people that you care for most how much they truly mean to you, and the amount of money spent on them shouldn’t be the main factor in showing your appreciation. For some, going casual and ordering in is not just a way to save money, but is a great alternative to beat the crowds in a hectic restaurant. And after looking at the fast-food delivery trends from last year, it’s clear that there is an overwhelming misconception of what the day actually looks like for couples. And we expect this casualization to become more mainstream over the next few years.