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Takeout has become a significant aspect of the food industry in the United States, offering convenience and variety to consumers.
The concept of takeout food has been present in various forms throughout history. In the United States, the origins of modern takeout can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrant communities often brought their culinary traditions with them, and many established small food businesses that offered prepared meals for purchase.
The development of fast-food chains in the mid-20th century contributed to the popularization of takeout. Chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken (now KFC) standardized their operations to ensure that customers could quickly order food to go. Drive-thru windows, introduced in the 1940s, further expedited the process.
Over time, the range of cuisine available for takeout expanded beyond fast food. Pizzerias, Chinese restaurants, delis, and other eateries began offering takeout options, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
Takeout became especially popular in urban areas and among busy individuals who wanted the convenience of having restaurant-quality food without the time commitment of dining in. It also catered to people seeking meals during work breaks, while running errands, or on the way home.
The maps below were created by the vitagene team to show which U.S. cities actually spend the most and the least on takeout.
Top 10 U.S. Cities Spending the Highest Percent of Income on Takeout
Top 10 U.S. Cities Spending the Most on Takeout Annually
People in Seattle spend the most on takeout food, more than any other city in the United States. Seattleites spend, on average, $2520 annually on takeout. But residents in some U.S. cities spend considerably less on takeout. For comparison, Detroiters spend only $1704 on takeout food every year.
Top 10 Cities Spending the Least on Takeout Annually
Top 25 U.S. cities where you can save the most by cooking at home
vitagene.com
The Cost of Takeout in Each U.S. City
City
Amount spent per month, $
Amount spent per year, $
Amount spent in 10 years, $
Amount spent in a livetime, $
Seattle, WA
210
2520
25200
151200
Pittsburgh, PA
199
2388
23880
143280
San Francisco, CA
195
2340
23400
140400
Austin, TX
189
2268
22680
136080
San Jose, CA
188
2256
22560
135360
San Antonio, TX
186
2232
22320
133920
Virginia Beach, VA
186
2232
22320
133920
Miami, FL
183
2196
21960
131760
San Diego, CA
183
2196
21960
131760
Los Angeles, CA
182
2184
21840
131040
Portland, OR
182
2184
21840
131040
Atlanta, GA
180
2160
21600
129600
Orlando, FL
180
2160
21600
129600
Washington, DC
180
2160
21600
129600
Jacksonville, FL
179
2148
21480
128880
Riverside, CA
179
2148
21480
128880
Houston, TX
177
2124
21240
127440
Sacramento, CA
176
2112
21120
126720
Denver, CO
175
2100
21000
126000
New York, NY
174
2088
20880
125280
Tampa, FL
174
2088
20880
125280
Tucson, AZ
173
2076
20760
124560
Dallas, TX
172
2064
20640
123840
Salt Lake City, UT
172
2064
20640
123840
Phoenix, AZ
171
2052
20520
123120
Boston, MA
170
2040
20400
122400
Chicago, IL
169
2028
20280
121680
Providence, Rl
169
2028
20280
121680
Minneapolis, MN
166
1992
19920
119520
Charlotte, NC
165
1980
19800
118800
Hartford, CT
165
1980
19800
118800
Raleigh, NC
164
1968
19680
118080
St. Louis, MO
164
1968
19680
118080
New Orleans, LA
162
1944
19440
116640
Cincinnati, OH
161
1932
19320
115920
Las Vegas, NV
160
1920
19200
115200
Rochester, NY
160
1920
19200
115200
Columbus, OH
159
1908
19080
114480
Grand Rapids, Ml
159
1908
19080
114480
Nashville, TN
159
1908
19080
114480
Buffalo, NY
158
1896
18960
113760
Oklahoma City, OK
156
1872
18720
112320
Baltimore, MD
155
1860
18600
111600
Milwaukee, Wl
154
1848
18480
110880
Indianapolis, IN
152
1824
18240
109440
Kansas City, MO
152
1824
18240
109440
Philadelphia, PA
151
1812
18120
108720
Birmingham, AL
150
1800
18000
108000
Cleveland, OH
149
1788
17880
107280
Richmond, VA
148
1776
17760
106560
Memphis, TN
146
1752
17520
105120
Detroit, Ml
142
1704
17040
102240
Technological advancements, particularly the rise of the internet and smartphones, further revolutionized the takeout experience. Online ordering platforms and food delivery apps made it easier for consumers to browse menus, place orders, and have food delivered to their doorstep.
In addition to traditional takeout, the development of food delivery services allowed consumers to enjoy restaurant meals in the comfort of their homes. Third-party delivery companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub gained popularity, creating a new dimension to the takeout experience.
If you’d you like to learn more about takeout recipes, have a look at the following cookbooks:
