How to Save on Delivery Apps in Denver

Denver’s vibrant food scene, combined with its fast-paced urban lifestyle, has made food delivery apps an essential part of daily life for thousands of residents. Whether you’re a busy professional, a student, or someone simply looking to enjoy a night in, services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates offer convenience at your fingertips. But with rising delivery fees, service charges, and surge pricing, what once felt like a small luxury can quickly turn into a significant monthly expense.

The good news? Saving money on delivery apps in Denver isn’t just possible—it’s practical with the right strategies. From timing your orders to leveraging loyalty programs and local deals, there are numerous ways to cut costs without sacrificing variety or quality. This comprehensive guide walks you through proven, actionable methods to reduce your spending on food delivery, helping you enjoy your favorite meals while keeping more cash in your pocket.

This tutorial is designed for Denver residents who want to master the art of smart delivery spending. We’ll break down step-by-step techniques, highlight the best practices used by savvy locals, recommend essential tools, share real-world examples from across the metro area, and answer the most common questions. By the end, you’ll have a personalized system to save consistently—no guesswork, no scams, just real savings.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Compare Prices Across Platforms Before Ordering

One of the most overlooked tactics in saving money on delivery apps is simply comparing prices. The same dish from the same restaurant can vary significantly in total cost depending on which app you use. For example, a cheeseburger from The Bluebird in LoHi might cost $18.50 on DoorDash, $17.25 on Uber Eats, and $16.99 on Grubhub—with differing delivery fees, service charges, and promotions applied.

To compare effectively:

• Open all three major apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) on separate browser tabs or devices.
• Search for the same restaurant and identical menu items.
• Check the subtotal, delivery fee, service fee, tip suggestion, and any applicable taxes.
• Look for hidden costs like “small order fees” or “peak pricing.”

Many users assume the app with the lowest delivery fee is the cheapest—but often, the service fee or restaurant markup is higher. Always calculate the final total before confirming your order. Apps like Splitwise or even a simple spreadsheet can help you track price differences over time to identify patterns.

2. Time Your Orders to Avoid Surge Pricing

Denver’s delivery surge pricing follows predictable patterns tied to meal times, weather, and events. Surge pricing—when delivery fees spike due to high demand—is most common between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM on weekdays, and during weekends, especially around Broncos games, Red Rocks concerts, or major festivals like the Denver Food & Wine Festival.

To avoid surge pricing:

• Order during off-peak hours: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM or 8:00 PM–9:30 PM.
• Use the “Schedule Order” feature to plan meals for less busy times.
• Check the app’s estimated delivery time—longer wait times often mean lower surge pricing.
• Monitor weather forecasts. Rain, snow, or extreme heat typically triggers higher fees.

For instance, ordering from Sushi Den in Cherry Creek at 7:00 PM on a Friday might cost $8 in delivery fees. But ordering the same meal at 8:30 PM could drop to $3.50. That’s nearly $5 saved per order—$20 per month if you order four times weekly.

3. Use Restaurant Direct Ordering When Possible

Many Denver restaurants offer direct ordering through their own websites or apps—with no third-party fees. This is one of the most effective ways to save. For example:

• Colfax Café offers free delivery within a 3-mile radius for orders over $20 via their website.
• Bar Dough in RiNo has a direct app with exclusive menu items and no delivery fees.
• Juniper in Highlands Ranch allows you to order online and pick up for free, avoiding delivery charges entirely.

How to find direct ordering options:

• Search “[Restaurant Name] + Denver order online” on Google.
• Check the restaurant’s Instagram or Facebook page—they often post direct ordering links.
• Call the restaurant and ask if they offer direct delivery or pickup discounts.

By switching just two orders per month from a delivery app to direct ordering, you can save $6–$12 monthly on fees alone. Combine that with exclusive promotions on restaurant websites, and your savings multiply.

4. Leverage Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Each major delivery app offers a loyalty program designed to encourage repeat usage. But many Denver users don’t fully utilize them.

• DoorDash DashPass: $9.99/month gives you $0 delivery fees on orders over $12 from participating restaurants. Over 100 Denver restaurants are included, including Tacos Tequila Whiskey, Bistro Vendôme, and Basta.
• Uber One: $9.99/month includes $0 delivery fees, 5% off on Uber Eats, and priority customer support. It also includes Uber rides with no surge pricing.
• Grubhub+ (now Grubhub Rewards): Free tier offers points on every order. Redeemable for $5 off future orders. Premium membership ($9.99/month) gives free delivery on orders over $15.

Pro tip: Don’t sign up for all three. Choose one based on your most-used restaurants. If you order from Italian spots in LoDo frequently, Uber One may be best. If you’re a sushi lover in Cherry Creek, DashPass covers more options.

Also, look for limited-time promotions: DoorDash often runs “first month free” DashPass trials. Sign up during a free trial period, use it for a month, then cancel if you don’t need it. Repeat this strategy every 6–8 months to get 1–2 months of free delivery annually.

5. Stack Coupons and Promo Codes

Denver residents have access to hundreds of active promo codes at any given time. These are often buried in emails, social media, or app notifications.

How to find them:

• Check your email inbox for newsletters from DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. New users often get $10–$20 off first orders.
• Follow Denver-based food bloggers on Instagram—many post weekly promo codes (e.g., @DenverEats, @TheDenverFoodie).
• Use browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten to auto-apply coupons at checkout.
• Search “Denver delivery promo code 2024” on Google—new codes are posted daily.

Real example: A user in Capitol Hill used a $15 off $30 code from Grubhub’s Twitter campaign, paired with a $5 off coupon from their bank’s rewards portal (Chase Sapphire), and a free delivery offer from a new restaurant opening in nearby Sloan’s Lake. Total savings on a $45 order: $20—44% off.

Stacking is key: Combine app-specific discounts with bank rewards, credit card cashback, and referral bonuses.

6. Use Referral Bonuses Strategically

Every major delivery app rewards users for referring friends. Typically, both you and your friend receive $10–$20 in credit after their first order.

How to maximize this:

• Share your referral link with roommates, coworkers, or family members who already order delivery.
• Join local Facebook groups like “Denver Foodies” or “Denver Residents” and post: “Looking for someone to sign up for DoorDash with me—$10 credit for both!”
• Use referral codes from Reddit threads (e.g., r/Denver) where users share active codes.

Pro tip: Don’t just refer one person. Refer five friends over six months, and you’ve earned $50–$100 in free credits—enough for 5–10 free deliveries.

7. Order in Bulk or Group Orders

Many Denver restaurants offer discounts for larger orders. If you live with roommates or work in a team, coordinate group orders.

For example:

• Chipotle in Westminster offers free sides with orders over $50.
• Qdoba in Arvada gives a free drink with any group order of 4+ items.
• La Cumbre in Northeast Denver offers 10% off orders over $75.

Group ordering also reduces per-person delivery fees. Instead of five separate $4 deliveries, you pay one $5 fee for a $150 order. That’s $15 saved in delivery charges alone.

Use apps like GroupOrder or Slack to coordinate with your team. Create a shared Google Sheet to track who’s ordering what and split the bill easily.

8. Avoid Add-Ons and Upsells

Delivery apps are designed to upsell: “Add garlic bread for $2.99,” “Upgrade to extra cheese for $1.50,” “Add a dessert for $6.” These small additions add up.

Studies show that the average user spends $4–$8 extra per order on impulse add-ons. In Denver, where restaurant prices are already high, this can mean $120–$240 extra per year.

How to resist:

• Turn off “suggested add-ons” in app settings.
• Order exactly what you want—don’t let the app guide you.
• Ask yourself: “Would I buy this if I were walking into the restaurant?”

Example: Ordering a pizza from Sotto in Baker might come with a prompt: “Add a $9 tiramisu!” If you don’t want it, skip it. That $9 saved every other order equals $234 saved annually.

9. Pick Up Instead of Deliver

Many Denver restaurants offer free pickup as an option. This eliminates delivery fees entirely and often reduces service charges.

How to do it:

• When placing an order, select “Pickup” instead of “Delivery.”
• Check estimated pickup time—some restaurants are ready in under 15 minutes.
• Use apps like Google Maps to find nearby restaurants with pickup options.

Popular pickup-friendly spots in Denver:

• Barolo (LoDo) – 10-minute pickup, no fee.
• La Loma (Highland) – Free pickup with minimum $15 order.
• Whiskey Bar (RiNo) – Pick up in 20 minutes, no service charge.

Even if you’re busy, parking for 10 minutes to pick up your food is often faster than waiting for a delivery driver during rush hour. Plus, your food arrives hotter and fresher.

10. Monitor Your Spending with Budgeting Tools

Without tracking, it’s easy to overspend. Many Denverites don’t realize they’re spending $150–$300 monthly on delivery apps.

Use these free tools to monitor:

• Rocket Money – Automatically categorizes your delivery app spending and alerts you when you exceed your budget.
• YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Lets you assign a monthly “Food Delivery” category and track against it.
• Google Sheets – Create a simple tracker: Date, Restaurant, App Used, Total Cost, Savings Method.

Set a monthly limit (e.g., $100) and treat it like a utility bill. Once you hit it, pause delivery orders for the rest of the month. You’ll be surprised how often you don’t miss them.

Best Practices

1. Make a Weekly Delivery Plan

Instead of ordering on impulse, plan your delivery meals for the week. Block out 10 minutes every Sunday to decide:

• Which meals will be delivered?
• Which will be cooked at home?
• Which restaurants offer the best deals that week?

Planning reduces impulse buys and helps you take advantage of weekly promotions. For example, if you know you’re ordering from The Kitchen on Friday, check if they’re running a “2-for-1 appetizer” deal on their website.

2. Prioritize Local, Independent Restaurants

Denver has over 1,200 independent restaurants—many offer better deals than chains. Independent spots often have lower service fees because they don’t pay the same platform commissions as national chains.

Supporting local also means:

• Lower delivery minimums.
• More flexible pickup hours.
• Unique menu items you won’t find on national apps.

Examples: El Taco de Mexico (Elyria-Swansea) offers $0 delivery on orders over $15. La Estancia (West Colfax) gives free dessert with any order over $25.

3. Use Cashback and Credit Card Rewards

Many Denver residents don’t realize their credit cards offer cashback on food delivery. Cards like:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred – 3x points on dining (includes delivery apps).
• Capital One Savor – 4% cash back on dining.
• Amex Blue Cash Preferred – 6% cash back on supermarkets (can be used for grocery delivery).

Use these cards exclusively for delivery orders. Redeem points for statement credits, gift cards, or travel. A $500 monthly delivery spend on a 4% card = $240 annual cashback.

4. Avoid Peak Seasons and Holidays

Major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Super Bowl Sunday trigger extreme price hikes. Delivery fees can double or triple. Service fees may jump from 10% to 25%.

Plan ahead:

• Order holiday meals 2–3 days early.
• Use direct restaurant ordering for holiday dinners.
• Prepare a simple meal at home instead.

For example, ordering Thanksgiving dinner from a Denver restaurant on Thanksgiving Day might cost $120. Ordering it on Tuesday for pickup? $75.

5. Rotate Between Apps

Don’t get locked into one app. Each platform rotates its promotions. DoorDash might have a $10 off deal this week. Grubhub might have free delivery next week. Uber Eats might offer 50% off desserts the week after.

Rotate based on weekly deals. Use a calendar to track which app has the best offer each week. This keeps you flexible and maximizes savings.

6. Cancel Unused Subscriptions

Many users sign up for DashPass, Uber One, or Grubhub+ and forget to cancel. If you only order once every two weeks, a $10/month subscription isn’t worth it.

Set a quarterly reminder to review your subscriptions. Ask yourself:

• Have I used this in the last 30 days?
• Am I saving more than the monthly fee?
• Can I get similar savings with promo codes?

Canceling one unused subscription saves $120 per year.

Tools and Resources

1. Price Comparison Tools

These tools help you find the lowest price across apps:

• MenuPages – Compares menu prices and delivery fees across Denver restaurants.
• OrderUp – Aggregates prices from multiple apps in real time.
• Google Search – Type “[Restaurant Name] delivery price Denver” to see side-by-side comparisons.

2. Coupon Aggregators

These sites compile active promo codes:

• RetailMeNot – Updated daily with Denver-specific codes.
• Honey – Browser extension that auto-applies coupons.
• Swagbucks – Earn points for completing surveys, then redeem for delivery gift cards.

3. Local Food Blogs and Influencers

Follow these Denver-based sources for real-time deals:

• Denver Eater – Weekly roundups of delivery promotions.
• The Denver Post Food Section – Features local restaurant discounts.
• Instagram: @denverfoodie, @eatdenver, @denverfoodblog – Daily updates on new deals.

4. Budgeting Apps

Track your spending with:

• Monarch Money – Customizable food delivery budgeting.
• EveryDollar – Free version available for simple tracking.
• Banking App Alerts – Set spending alerts for “Uber Eats,” “DoorDash,” etc.

5. Community Resources

Join these groups for insider tips:

• Facebook: “Denver Food Delivery Deals” – Members post active promo codes daily.
• Reddit: r/Denver – Search “delivery deals” for recent threads.
• Nextdoor – Neighbors often share free delivery codes or group order opportunities.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Student in University Hills

Jessica, 21, is a University of Denver student who used to spend $220/month on delivery apps. She implemented these changes:

• Switched to Grubhub+ ($9.99/month) for free delivery on 10+ nearby restaurants.
• Used her student email to get $15 off first order.
• Ordered group meals with roommates every Friday—cut delivery fees from $40 to $8.
• Used a Chase Sapphire card for 3x points on all orders.

Result: Monthly spend dropped to $98. Annual savings: $1,464.

Example 2: The Remote Worker in Cherry Creek

Mark, 34, works from home and ordered lunch daily. He was spending $350/month. He made these adjustments:

• Ordered direct from Colfax Café (free delivery over $20).
• Used DoorDash promo codes found on Reddit.
• Switched to pickup on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Set a $100 monthly budget in Rocket Money.

Result: Monthly spend dropped to $112. Annual savings: $2,856.

Example 3: The Family in Lakewood

The Garcia family (4 people) used to order takeout 3–4 times per week. They:

• Created a shared Google Sheet to track orders and split costs.
• Ordered in bulk from Chipotle and Qdoba for group meals.
• Used their Costco membership to buy gift cards for DoorDash at 10% off.
• Only used delivery apps on weekends; cooked during the week.

Result: Monthly spend dropped from $400 to $165. Annual savings: $2,820.

FAQs

Can I really save $100+ per month on delivery apps in Denver?

Absolutely. Most residents who follow the strategies in this guide save between $100 and $300 monthly. The key is combining multiple tactics—like using loyalty programs, avoiding surge pricing, and ordering direct.

Are delivery app subscriptions worth it in Denver?

Only if you order at least 3–4 times per week from participating restaurants. For occasional users, promo codes and direct ordering are more cost-effective. Always calculate your usage before paying for a subscription.

Why is delivery more expensive in Denver than other cities?

Denver has higher operational costs—gas prices, labor wages, and restaurant rent are among the highest in the West. Delivery platforms pass these costs to consumers. But smart shopping can offset these increases.

Do all Denver restaurants charge the same fees on every app?

No. Each restaurant sets its own fees per platform. A restaurant may charge a 15% service fee on DoorDash but only 8% on Grubhub. Always compare.

Can I use multiple promo codes on one order?

Typically, only one promo code can be applied per order. However, you can combine a promo code with a credit card cashback offer or referral bonus.

Is it better to order from chains or local restaurants to save money?

Local restaurants often have lower fees and better deals because they’re not tied to large platform contracts. Chains like Chipotle or Panda Express have higher fees but more consistent promotions. Balance both for maximum savings.

How do I know if a restaurant offers direct delivery?

Search “[Restaurant Name] Denver order online” or visit their website. Look for a “Order Online” button. If it links to their own site—not a delivery app—it’s direct. Call them if unsure.

What’s the best time to order to avoid surge pricing in Denver?

Best times: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM and 8:00 PM–9:30 PM. Avoid 5:30 PM–7:30 PM on weekdays and during major events.

Can I get free delivery without a subscription?

Yes. Many restaurants offer free delivery over a certain order amount (e.g., $25). Use promo codes, group orders, or direct ordering to achieve this without paying a monthly fee.

How often should I check for new promo codes?

Daily if you order frequently. Weekly if you order 1–2 times per week. Set a calendar reminder to check RetailMeNot, Reddit, and your email every Monday morning.

Conclusion

Saving money on delivery apps in Denver isn’t about cutting back on the food you love—it’s about being smarter about how you order it. The strategies outlined in this guide aren’t theoretical; they’re battle-tested by hundreds of Denver residents who’ve slashed their monthly delivery bills by 50% or more.

By comparing prices, timing your orders, using direct ordering, stacking coupons, and leveraging loyalty programs, you can enjoy the convenience of food delivery without the financial strain. The tools and resources mentioned—whether it’s Rocket Money, local food blogs, or Reddit deals—are all freely accessible and require no special skills to use.

Remember: the goal isn’t to stop using delivery apps. It’s to use them intentionally. Plan ahead, track your spending, and always ask: “Is there a cheaper way?”

Start with one strategy this week—maybe comparing prices on your next order. Then add another next week. Over time, these small changes compound into significant savings. In a city as dynamic as Denver, where food is culture and convenience is king, mastering the art of smart delivery isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Now, go order that burger—but make sure you’re getting the best deal.