Goldbelly Review: Legendary Local Eats Delivered to Your Door
Hey there, food lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the most drool-worthy dishes from all across the country. I mean, who hasn‘t daydreamed about digging into a legit Maine lobster roll or going ham on some Texas-style brisket? The only problem is, most of us can‘t exactly hop on a plane every time a craving strikes. That‘s where Goldbelly comes in clutch.
As a hardcore foodie, I‘ve tried pretty much every food delivery service out there. But Goldbelly is hands down my go-to for scoring legendary eats from the most iconic spots in the US. I‘m talking real-deal deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati‘s in Chicago, life-changing biscuits from Callie‘s in Charleston, and even whole pies from Pietisserie in Oakland.
What is Goldbelly?
Goldbelly is basically an online marketplace that connects curious eaters (like you and me) with famous local restaurants and small food businesses across the country. They make it possible to get all those regionally-beloved dishes delivered straight to your doorstep, no matter where you live.
The genius behind this delicious operation is founder and CEO Joe Ariel. His love affair with food started early – he grew up working at his dad‘s traditional Jewish deli in Detroit. But the idea for Goldbelly really sparked when he found himself seriously missing a favorite sandwich from that hometown deli. He thought, "why isn‘t there a way to get these amazing local foods delivered anywhere?"
Fast forward to 2013, and Goldbelly was born. Joe made it his mission to help the country‘s best local eateries reach new audiences nationwide, all while satisfying people‘s cravings for one-of-a-kind regional specialties. Today, Goldbelly partners with over 850 restaurants and artisanal food makers in more than 50 cities! How cool is that?
What Can You Get on Goldbelly?
Oh man, what can‘t you get on Goldbelly? Whether you‘re hankering for classic comfort food, five-star gourmet fare, or exotic international cuisine, they‘ve got you covered. Personally, I‘m all about the iconic dishes that put certain cities on the culinary map. Here are some of my faves:
Pizza 🍕
- Lou Malnati‘s Deep Dish Pizza from Chicago: This iconic pie has been featured on Food Network, Travel Channel, and more. The buttery crust, gooey mozzarella, and chunky tomato sauce are the real deal.
- Spicy Spring Pie from Prince Street Pizza in NYC: A crispy, chewy crust topped with fra diavolo sauce, spicy pepperoni cups, and a drizzle of honey. Trust me, it‘s worth the hype.
- Totonno‘s Authentic Coal Oven Margherita Pizza from Brooklyn: Handmade using the same recipe since 1924 and cooked in a 1,000-degree coal oven for that perfect char.
Sandwiches 🥪
- The Muffaletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans: Stacked with capicola, salami, mortadella, provolone, and olive salad on a sesame loaf. A NOLA institution since 1906!
- The Pastrami Sandwich from Katz‘s Deli in NYC: This baby is piled high with hand-carved pastrami that‘s juicy, tender, and bursting with smoky flavor. No wonder it‘s the same sammie from When Harry Met Sally.
- The Roast Pork Sandwich from DiNic‘s in Philly: Thinly sliced pork topped with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe on a toasted roll. Beats a cheesesteak any day.
BBQ 🍖
- Joe‘s KC Ribs from Kansas City: Fall-off-the-bone tender pork ribs smoked over hickory and slathered in Joe‘s sweet, spicy sauce. A KC BBQ staple.
- Texas-Style Brisket from Snow‘s BBQ: This melt-in-your-mouth brisket is slow-smoked over oak for up to 12 hours. It‘s so good, Texas Monthly named Snow‘s the #1 BBQ joint in the world.
- Whole Hog BBQ from Goldbelly Kitchen: An entire 15-pound slow-smoked heritage hog delivered to your door. Perfect for an epic backyard BBQ.
Sweets 🍰
- World Famous Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery in NYC: Layers of creamy vanilla pudding, bananas, and Nilla wafers. Oprah called it one of her "Favorite Things"!
- Milk Bar‘s Cake Truffles from NYC: Decadent little nuggets of cake scraps, frosting, and chocolate coating in flavors like Birthday and Red Velvet.
- Levain Bakery‘s Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies: Massive 6-ounce cookies with a crispy exterior and gooey, ultra-thick middle. A sweet tooth‘s dream come true.
Drooling yet? Same. The best part is, you can mix and match items from different eateries and cities to create your own ultimate feast.
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Lou Malnati‘s Deep Dish Pizza | Katz‘s Pastrami Sandwich | Magnolia‘s Banana Pudding |
How Much Does Goldbelly Cost?
Okay, so you‘re probably thinking "this all sounds amazing, but it must cost a pretty penny." And to be real with you, Goldbelly isn‘t exactly cheap eats. Most items start around $30 (before shipping) and can go up to $200 or more for big meal kits. But IMO, you‘re paying for premium quality and that special "direct from the source" experience you can‘t get anywhere else.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of the price ranges you can expect:
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Cookies, Brownies & Bars | $25 – $65 |
| Cakes & Pies | $40 – $90 |
| Pizza | $60 – $140 |
| Sandwiches | $70 – $150 |
| BBQ & Meat | $50 – $250 |
| Meal Kits | $60 – $200 |
Keep in mind pricing depends on the specific vendor, item size, and quantity. Certain foods from super high-end restaurants (like the $50 burger kit from NYC‘s Michelin-starred The Clocktower) definitely veer into "special occasion" territory.
Shipping costs can also add up, since most of Goldbelly‘s offerings are perishable and need to be sent with ice packs in insulated packaging. In general, expect to pay about $20-$35 for shipping via UPS Next Day or 2nd Day Air. The exact amount gets calculated at checkout based on your location and the weight of the items.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for free shipping promos! Sometimes vendors will offer free shipping if you hit a certain dollar amount. Goldbelly also sends exclusive discounts to email subscribers every so often.
How Long Does Goldbelly Take to Deliver?
In my experience, Goldbelly‘s delivery is crazy fast and reliable. Since the food is perishable, they use expedited shipping to make sure your order arrives ASAP – usually within 1-2 days, depending on your location.
When you go to checkout, you‘ll be able to see the earliest available delivery date for your area. You can also schedule orders up to 30 days in advance, which is clutch for holidays or sending tasty gifts.
Once your order ships, Goldbelly provides tracking info so you can keep tabs on your precious cargo. They‘ll also give you a guaranteed delivery date to ensure your food gets to you while it‘s still fresh and delicious. Deliveries typically happen Tuesday-Saturday to avoid items sitting in a warehouse over the weekend.
I have to give major props to Goldbelly‘s packaging too. Every order I‘ve gotten has arrived perfectly intact and at just the right temperature thanks to plenty of insulation and ice packs. Even ice cream!
Is Goldbelly Food Still Good After Shipping?
This is probably the #1 thing people worry about when ordering food online. No one wants to crack open a box of soggy pizza or a melted mess. I can honestly say that 99% of my Goldbelly orders have been just as delicious as the IRL restaurant versions.
How? First off, Goldbelly only works with establishments that take extreme care in prepping food for shipping. That means vacuum sealing, flash freezing, and using the highest quality insulated packaging to lock in freshness. Some foods, like certain pies and baked goods, are even parbaked so that you can finish them off in your own oven and eat them warm.
Check out this photo of how my friend‘s birthday cake from Ovenly arrived. The attention to detail is amazing!
Of course, these are perishable goods we‘re dealing with. On the rare occasion something doesn‘t show up in perfect condition (hey, accidents happen), Goldbelly has an awesome satisfaction guarantee policy. They‘ll hook you up with a replacement or refund, no questions asked.
Just be sure to inspect your delivery as soon as it arrives and pop any temperature-sensitive items in the fridge or freezer. Each product also comes with specific storing/reheating/cooking instructions so you can enjoy it at its best.
What Customers Are Saying
You don‘t just have to take my word for it, though. Goldbelly consistently gets rave reviews across the board. On Trustpilot, they have an impressive 4.7 out of 5-star rating with over 8,000 reviews. People go nuts for the variety, quality, and customer service.
Check out what some happy customers have to say:
"I love Goldbelly so much – it‘s probably the most exciting thing to come out of quarantine for me. We have ordered bagels from Ess-a-bagel in NYC 3x ($99 for 4 dozen, worth every penny) & Levain cookies ($70something for four 6oz cookies, worth every calorie)…This is an incredible service & the food is truly special." – Jennifer H.
"We sent the biscuits and the birthday cake as a surprise gift. Ordering was easy, and the shipment arrived exactly as scheduled…Such a treat in these days of quarantine!" – Celia M.
"Everything is packaged with such care and always arrives exactly as described and when promised. From Jean-Georges‘ fried chicken to Raoul‘s burgers, it‘s all delicious and feels like such a luxury to enjoy some of my favorites again while NYC is still locked down." – Hitha P.
Negative reviews are few and far between, but when issues do pop up (usually involving delivery quirks or damaged items), Goldbelly‘s customer service squad is ON IT. They always make things right with a replacement, refund, or credit.
Goldbelly‘s Pandemic Response
Speaking of quarantine, I have to shout out how Goldbelly really stepped up to support the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 crisis. With eateries across the country forced to shut down in-person dining, many turned to Goldbelly to keep business flowing and reach customers in lockdown.
Goldbelly launched a few amazing initiatives, like their Support Local Restaurants page where you can shop by city and state to order directly from struggling small businesses in your area. They also rolled out a Gift Cards for Good program where 100% of proceeds from gift card sales went directly to the restaurants. How awesome is that?!
I‘ve gotta admit, being able to order comfort food faves delivered safely to my doorstep was a serious bright spot during lockdown. Apparently I wasn‘t alone – Goldbelly sales surged 200% during the first couple months of the pandemic as people sought out nostalgic flavors and supported beloved businesses from afar!
The Final Verdict
So, is Goldbelly really worth the hype? In this food freak‘s opinion, 1000% YES. If you‘re a curious eater like me who‘s always chasing the next great bite, it‘s a total game-changer. Where else can you get Philly cheesesteaks, Texas BBQ brisket, and NYC black-and-white cookies delivered to your door with the click of a button?
Sure, it‘s pricier than your average delivery joint. But for the caliber and variety of food you‘re getting, I think it‘s well worth the occasional splurge. Especially for treating yourself or surprising foodie friends.
The thoughtful packaging, speedy shipping, and great customer service seal the deal. I‘ve ordered upwards of 30 times (eep!) and never been disappointed. Honestly, my only complaint is that I can‘t fit more in my belly.
My advice? Start with an iconic dish from a city you‘ve always wanted to taste your way through, throw in a few fun extras (Reese‘s pizza, anyone?) and prepare for the most epic unboxing experience of your life.
Trust, you‘ll be hooked. I definitely am. Next on my Goldbelly bucket list? The 3-day hog roast kit from Sam Jones BBQ in North Carolina. Care to join me for a virtual cookout? 😉
