What can a meal delivery service offer to the people of St Louis, who are accustomed to unique foods such as Toasted Ravioli or Gooey Buttercake? As it turns out, a rich and well-designed menu that includes world-famous cuisines is all St. Louisans need to win them over!
Since these criteria don’t narrow down the list of available meal delivery services in St. Louis, I worked with our team of specialists to find the crème de la crème in this field. I reviewed and compared services based on menu size, ingredient types, price, nutritional makeup, and more and managed to round everything up to a list of the 10 best candidates.
Personally, I think Home Chef comes on top due to its large menu, coverage of various cuisines, and the fact that users can take advantage of the Customize It feature to change recipes according to their taste.
However, I didn’t stop at Home Chef – my list includes nine other big names in the meal delivery service industry, so make sure to check it out!
Home Chef – Best menu customization options in St. Louis
Blue Apron – Great gourmet options focused on healthy eating
Green Chef – Best certified organic meal delivery service
HelloFresh – Great variety of dietary options
Purple Carrot – Best selection of healthy plant-based meals
Meal kits and oven-ready recipes
25+ unique recipes per week plus extras
Dietary options include carb-conscious and calorie-conscious
Current deal: Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!
One of the reasons Home Chef is first on my list, is the “Customize It” feature. With this feature, you can swap the protein in the meal you chose to make it fit your culinary preferences. Due to this ingenious feature and the weekly rotation of recipes, Home Chef’s menu seems to extend indefinitely.
For instance, you can swap the chicken in the Truffle Chicken recipe with Filets Mignon, Mahi-Mahi Fillets, Salmon Fillets, and several other options. As a result, users can take advantage of this option to diversify a menu that’s already rich in recipes!
Plus, our reviewer found that the “recipes are crystal clear and among the easiest to follow”. Besides this, I’m also quite pleased with the “Extras” and “Bundle and Save” sections of the menu. Here, you find good options for breakfast, side dishes, and healthy desserts that complete the offer.
In a nutshell, Home Chef is a meal delivery service that offers a smooth ordering and delivering experience and a well-designed menu.
Meal kits and ready-to-eat meals
19+ unique recipes per week plus add-ons
Dietary options include diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, and health conscious
Current deal: Enjoy $110 off across your first 5 orders
St. Louisans are used to unique foods (they have their own special pizza recipe, after all) and like to try out new flavors and textures. This is why Blue Apron fits right in! The menu isn’t as large as Home Chef’s, but it’s more focused on high-end meals that are impressive to see and taste.
If you choose this service, you must try out some of Blue Apron’s gourmet recipes, such as White Pizza or Steak Tips and Creamy Truffle Fettuccine. Also, there’s a wine menu (separated from the food delivery service), and Blue Apron helps you choose the right option for each meal.
Lastly, according to my colleague’s review, the other great thing about Blue Apron is that it sits at the “sweet spot between varied meals and reasonable prices”. At $5.74 per serving, the meals are still affordable for most St. Louisans.
Also, the add-ons section is pretty good for adding some extra options to the menu, such as salads, healthy sweets, extra protein, or an entire charcuterie board (among others).
Good variety – you can mix and match meals from different plans
30 unique recipes per week
6 dietary options including keto, vegetarian, and gluten-free
Current deal: Get $250 off + free shipping
Green Chef promises (and delivers) fresh, responsibly sourced, and non-GMO ingredients for all its meal kits. Plus, most of the ingredients are organic (whenever possible), and the proteins are raised with high animal welfare standards in an attempt to create delicious meals for a healthy lifestyle.
The service fits well in a city like St Louis, where people like to stay active and eat healthy foods. Also, based on our in-depth Green Chef review, most meal kits take around 30 minutes to prepare and cook, which makes it a fantastic option for busy professionals and students who like to cook at home.
Lastly, I like that the menu caters to various dietary needs, such as keto or paleo, but it also has options for people with a more general diet. For instance, if you want meals to help you stay in shape, you should check out the Fast & Fit meal plan. On the other hand, if you’re on a gluten-free diet, the Gluten Free meal plan is the best option.
America’s most popular meal kit service
60+ unique recipes per week
Dietary plans include vegetarian, pescatarian, and calorie smart
Current deal: 18 free meals + first box ships free + 3 surprise gifts with code DR18HF
With such a large menu, it would be difficult to not find dishes to your taste, even as a picky eater! Plus, you get to test various cuisines and experiment with textures and flavors that aren’t usually available in most St Louis restaurants.
One of the reasons why HelloFresh is on my list is the brand’s obsession with using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring in lots of nutrients and create that home-cooked meal deliciousness. Read more about the way HelloFresh selects its ingredients and recipes in my colleague’s well-detailed review.
Speaking of home-cooked, HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service, so make sure you have the time and disposition to do the cooking. Most recipes are quick and easy to make, even if they look complicated. For instance, you can have a fresh-cooked serving of Hoisin-Glazed Steak in about 35 minutes, which is impressive!
Meal kits and prepared meals
16+ unique weekly recipes (meal kits and prepared) plus add-ons
6 dietary options including gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan
Current deal: Get $30 off with code carrot30
Many people would like to include more veggies in their diets, but they can’t think of any veggie-forward dishes besides salad and tofu. Luckily, due to services like Purple Carrot, we know that vegetarian and vegan meals can be delicious and filling.
As our reviewer puts it, the Purple Carrot menu is a “delightfully diverse collection of recipes inspired by cuisines around the world”. In conclusion, even if there’s no meat or dairy, you won’t get bored with this service!
So, if you feel like switching to veggies (for good or just for a while), you have to check out Purple Carrot’s menu for meal kits and prepared meals. All the recipes use fresh, high-quality ingredients and focus on creating healthy meals. Plus, all these meals are gluten- and dairy-free!
Easy, no-fuss recipes
45+ unique recipes per week
5 dietary options including health-conscious, vegetarian, and dairy-free
Current deal: Get $250 off your first 8 boxes!
Marley Spoon is one of the first meal delivery services to collaborate with a celebrity chef, which is why it’s managed to get one of the most famous chefs on their side. Martha Stewart’s impressive recipes and spice blends are one of the main ingredients behind Marley Spoon’s success.
In our deep dive into Marley Spoon, my colleague talks more about recipes, ingredients, and the ordering system, so make sure to check it out!
Of course, there’s also the fact that the company uses only the best and freshest ingredients for its meal kits. If you’re a beginner, take advantage of Marley Spoon’s six steps recipes to learn how to cook impressive meals, such as Tuscan-Spiced Stake or Skillet Provençal Pork.
Delivered fresh, never frozen
29+ unique recipes per week
Dietary options include vegetarian, calorie-smart, keto, high-protein, and vegan
Current deal: Up to $276 off with code: DR276!
If you’re one of the numerous St Louisans who doesn’t have the time to cook every day, but still enjoy home-cooked meals, you have to try out the ready-made meals from Factor.
The company delivers fully-cooked meals right to your doorstep without freezing the food. This way, the texture and taste don’t suffer any alterations, and you can decide which ones go in the freezer (if that’s the case). Read my colleague’s well-researched Factor review for details on the company.
I like that the majority of the recipes are designed to fit specific dietary needs (like the keto-friendly Chile Roasted Chicken or the calorie-smart Italian Sausage Oreganato). Plus, the meals are single-serving, and you can order up to 18 meals per week. This means Factor is just as great for the students and single people of St Louis.
Home Chef’s line of ready-to-eat meals and quick meal kits
14+ unique recipes per week
Dietary options include calorie-conscious, and carb-conscious
Current deal: Get 18 Free Meals (50% off your first 4 boxes)!
If you like Home Chef, chances are you’ll enjoy Fresh and Easy as well. That’s because, even though it’s a separate brand, Fresh and Easy has many of the features most customers love in Home Chef. In particular, I love that the “Customize It” tool is available on this menu as well.
Plus, according to my colleague’s review of the Fresh and Easy menu, there are five types of meals readily available for your convenience. You can choose between Entrée Salads, Fast & Fresh meals, 15 Minute Meal Kits, and Oven or Grill Ready recipes.
Fresh and Easy’s mission is to provide customers with the easiest meal plan ever. Whether you choose ready-made foods or meal kits, you’ll have the chance to try out delicious recipes that are fast to prepare and require little to no cleanup.
Menu designed for a non-restrictive diet
25 unique recipes per week plus add-ons
Dietary options include veggie-forward meals
Current deal: $1.49/meal on your 1st box + 20% off next 2 boxes!
At $1.49 per serving, who wouldn’t want to give EveryPlate a try? But don’t be fooled! Even though the incredibly low price is the first thing that catches your attention, the surprisingly varied menu and delicious food will make you want to stay.
If you have a fairly general diet and enjoy home-cooked meals, you have to take advantage of EveryPlate’s amazing price per serving. The meal kits are all well-prepared, the ingredients are fresh and of good quality, and the add-ons section allows you to add some spice to the menu.
So, how’s this possible? Well, EveryPlate does cut some corners, but not with the quality of food. For instance, they save money by offering a menu aimed at balanced diets with no dietary-specific meals other than some vegetarian meals. You’ll learn more about how EveryPlate keeps prices this low in our in-depth review.
Overall, EveryPlate is a great option for St. Louisians on a budget who have a family to feed but no time to go hunting for low-cost ingredients.
Over 450 restaurants in the St Louis area
A wide range of cuisines including Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican
Access to 24h food delivery services
St. Louis is one of the best cities in the world to be in if you’re a gourmand. The culinary scene is rich in all sorts of exotic offers, and you can always rejoice at the locals’ culinary ingeniosity (like the Toasted Ravioli and the Gooey Buttercake).
With Grubhub, you can go on a culinary journey around the world from the comfort of your home. To try out Grubhub’s speedy delivery services, go to the website or app, find your favorite restaurants (or the ones you want to test), and order from their menu.
And, if you’re a Grubhub+ member, the delivery is free for all orders $12+. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a fee for each delivery, but the food will reach you hot and ready to eat in less than 20 to 40 minutes.
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Our Rating | ||||||||||
Our Rating | 9.4 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 9.6 | 9.3 | 7.7 | 9.0 |
Starting Price | ||||||||||
Starting Price | $7.99 Per Serving | $5.74 Per Serving | $5.99 Per Serving | $3.32 Per Serving | $8.50 Per Serving | $2.99 Per Serving | $6.19 Per Serving | $7.99 Per Serving | $1.49 Per Serving | |
Minimum Order | ||||||||||
Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 6 prepared meals | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | Varies by supplier |
Meal Types | ||||||||||
Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready, prepared | 20 - 60 min. meal kits | 30-minute meal kits | 20 - 30 min. meal kits | Meal kits, prepared meals | 30 min. meal kits | Prepared meals | Oven- & grill-ready, kits, prepared | 30-minute meal kits | Prepared |
Prep Time | ||||||||||
Prep Time | 5-50 min | 5-45 min | 25-40 min | 15-40 min | 3-40 min | 20-40 min | 2-3 min | 15-30 min | 20-45 min | 0 |
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Active Deals |
If you feel a bit lost and confused by the wide range of meal delivery services available, here are a few of the criteria and questions I used when creating this list of best meal services in St Louis:
Pay attention to the menu size: To choose the best menu size for your needs, you should know the number of people you’ll feed each week, their culinary preferences, and whether or not they like routine. The size of the menu (or the number of dishes available) lets you know if you have options when you start getting used to the food.
Check menu rotation and diversity: Most meal delivery services find ways to bring new recipes and ingredients almost every week. However, the overall composition of the menu doesn’t change much. So, try to think a few weeks ahead and see if the service can provide for your needs in the long term.
Think about your budget: The cost of a meal isn’t the main factor, but it can influence your decision. So, before you start considering other factors, such as the number of dishes on the menu, cuisine variety, and ingredients, check out the price per serving.
Consider any dietary restrictions: If you follow a specific diet such as keto, vegan, or gluten free, it’s best to choose a meal delivery service that has a dedicated meal plan for your dietary needs. Otherwise, you may get bored rather quickly if there aren’t enough options to keep things interesting.
Yes, St. Louis has access to some of the best meal delivery services on the market! If you’re new to the scene, I think you should check out Home Chef’s offer and features first. Home Chef is one of the easiest-to-use services, and the meal variety and quality are consistent.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for services that fit a specific diet or are more easy on the wallet, other brands on my list might be a good fit. And, if none fit your needs, check out our list of the best meal delivery services ranked by our experts.
EveryPlate is the most budget-friendly meal delivery service. At around $1.49 per serving, this company manages to create a well-balanced menu that fits most people’s dietary needs.
Home Chef is one of the easiest services to use and understand. Customers get to use an intuitive ordering system and customize their meals as needed (you can change the proteins in the recipe to fit your taste). Plus, the menu is varied and large enough to keep things interesting in the long term.
Purple Carrot if you’re looking for vegetarian and vegan meals, and Green Chef if you care about eating organic ingredients. However, all good meal delivery services focus on using high-quality ingredients that fit the needs of a healthy and well-balanced diet. So, it mostly depends on your dietary needs and preferences.