What really happens to your delivery before it gets to your door?
- Replies 0
Ordering takeout feels simple—tap a few buttons and wait for the knock.
But what happens in the gap between checkout and chow-down might not be what you expect.
A driver’s confession is now pulling back the curtain on a side of food delivery that few ever see.
From snacks that mysteriously disappear to deliveries deliberately delayed, some details might have you rethinking your next order.
A man who works for a popular food delivery app has come forward with behind-the-scenes details that many customers don’t realize. In his own words, he’s not proud of what he’s done—but he’s not alone either.
The 33-year-old Uber Eats driver, who requested anonymity, admitted to occasionally eating fries and nuggets from customers’ orders. He said temptation often wins when he's hungry and the packaging is left unsealed or easy to access.
“When you’re stuck in traffic with someone’s [fries] next to you and you’ve not eaten in hours, it’s tough,” he said.
He confessed to eating a nugget from an open bag during a long shift, adding, “Not proud of it but also not the first.” According to him, every delivery driver yoinks fries—whether they admit it or not.
He described it as a sort of unspoken “food tax” many drivers feel entitled to collect.
But missing fries aren’t the only secret riders are keeping. The driver also explained that how customers treat him affects how fast they get their food.
“I do my best to be quick, but if someone starts messaging me saying, Where are you? Or hurry up, I slow down,” he admitted.
“I’m not gonna race across town for someone who’s giving me grief.”
He explained that traffic, waiting times, and order volume already make the job hectic. So when a customer adds rudeness to the mix, it doesn’t motivate him to move faster. On the flip side, a polite message or a tip can change everything.
When he gets a repeat customer who’s polite, he said, “I don’t get the same people often, but when I do, I’ll make sure their food stays upright, dry—whatever it takes.”
“But if they ignore me or slam the door, yeah… I’m not going out of my way next time.”
Also read: Delivery gone disgusting: This Amazon delivery left more than just a package
In some places, the problems go well beyond sneaking a fry. Food couriers in Australia have been accused of pulling off more elaborate schemes. One method involves accepting an order, picking it up, then cancelling the delivery after keeping the food.
The app then reassigns the job, and the next driver arrives at the restaurant—only to find nothing is left to collect.
These incidents are not common, but they raise serious concerns about trust and accountability in the food delivery industry. Restaurants lose out, customers go hungry, and the platform gets complaints it can't always resolve.
So what can you do to protect your meal—and your appetite?
There are a few steps to improve your odds of getting your full, untouched order.
Also read: Fast food giants battle it out in a delivery “deal war”—here’s how to score freebies and big discounts
For many delivery drivers, the job isn’t glamorous. They navigate traffic, weather, queues, and sometimes rude messages just to get the food there.
It doesn’t excuse dishonest behavior, but it does remind us there’s a person behind every delivery.
And while not every driver sneaks a snack, the temptation is more common than you might think.
“Yoinking” a fry might seem small—but it adds up, especially when it becomes routine.
Read next: Food delivery service hit by data breach—is your personal information safe?
Have you ever opened your bag and felt like something was missing? Was your driver extra friendly—or unusually slow? Share your stories in the comments below. The more we know, the smarter our next order can be.
But what happens in the gap between checkout and chow-down might not be what you expect.
A driver’s confession is now pulling back the curtain on a side of food delivery that few ever see.
From snacks that mysteriously disappear to deliveries deliberately delayed, some details might have you rethinking your next order.
A man who works for a popular food delivery app has come forward with behind-the-scenes details that many customers don’t realize. In his own words, he’s not proud of what he’s done—but he’s not alone either.
The 33-year-old Uber Eats driver, who requested anonymity, admitted to occasionally eating fries and nuggets from customers’ orders. He said temptation often wins when he's hungry and the packaging is left unsealed or easy to access.
“When you’re stuck in traffic with someone’s [fries] next to you and you’ve not eaten in hours, it’s tough,” he said.
He confessed to eating a nugget from an open bag during a long shift, adding, “Not proud of it but also not the first.” According to him, every delivery driver yoinks fries—whether they admit it or not.
He described it as a sort of unspoken “food tax” many drivers feel entitled to collect.
A driver’s confession is now pulling back the curtain on a side of food delivery that few ever see. Image Source: Robert Anasch / Unsplash
But missing fries aren’t the only secret riders are keeping. The driver also explained that how customers treat him affects how fast they get their food.
“I do my best to be quick, but if someone starts messaging me saying, Where are you? Or hurry up, I slow down,” he admitted.
“I’m not gonna race across town for someone who’s giving me grief.”
He explained that traffic, waiting times, and order volume already make the job hectic. So when a customer adds rudeness to the mix, it doesn’t motivate him to move faster. On the flip side, a polite message or a tip can change everything.
When he gets a repeat customer who’s polite, he said, “I don’t get the same people often, but when I do, I’ll make sure their food stays upright, dry—whatever it takes.”
“But if they ignore me or slam the door, yeah… I’m not going out of my way next time.”
Also read: Delivery gone disgusting: This Amazon delivery left more than just a package
In some places, the problems go well beyond sneaking a fry. Food couriers in Australia have been accused of pulling off more elaborate schemes. One method involves accepting an order, picking it up, then cancelling the delivery after keeping the food.
The app then reassigns the job, and the next driver arrives at the restaurant—only to find nothing is left to collect.
These incidents are not common, but they raise serious concerns about trust and accountability in the food delivery industry. Restaurants lose out, customers go hungry, and the platform gets complaints it can't always resolve.
So what can you do to protect your meal—and your appetite?
There are a few steps to improve your odds of getting your full, untouched order.
- Check the packaging. Many restaurants use seals, staples, or tamper-proof bags. If it’s loose or open, be cautious.
- Be respectful. A friendly tone, even in a short message, may inspire better service.
- Leave a tip. It’s not required, but it’s a strong motivator for careful handling and timely delivery.
- Report problems quickly. If you suspect tampering, alert the platform right away—refunds and investigations are often available.
- Stick with trusted spots. Some restaurants follow stricter packaging and prep protocols.
Also read: Fast food giants battle it out in a delivery “deal war”—here’s how to score freebies and big discounts
For many delivery drivers, the job isn’t glamorous. They navigate traffic, weather, queues, and sometimes rude messages just to get the food there.
It doesn’t excuse dishonest behavior, but it does remind us there’s a person behind every delivery.
And while not every driver sneaks a snack, the temptation is more common than you might think.
“Yoinking” a fry might seem small—but it adds up, especially when it becomes routine.
Read next: Food delivery service hit by data breach—is your personal information safe?
