Launch HN: Simmer (YC W19) – Reviews for Delivery Dishes

[vaibhavverma9]

Hi Hacker News community! We’re Vaibhav and Richard, founders of Simmer (https://usesimmer.com). Simmer aggregates dishes from DoorDash, Caviar, GrubHub, and basically every other delivery platform out there, and tells users the best dishes across the board. We do this by providing dish-level reviews.

Users find highly reviewed dishes on Simmer, choose the delivery platform of their liking, and we deep link them into their chosen delivery app. We essentially lead gen to delivery.

We started working on Simmer because we loved trying new restaurants, but never knew what to order. Especially, when there’s a 5 page menu. We always asked ourselves, “Why aren’t there ratings for individual dishes?”

We launched our app with this restaurant-centric use case (reviews for every dish at every restaurant), but when we rolled out delivery integrations, we realized that users resonated most with the delivery angle. They found it particularly difficult to find great dishes on delivery (after all, there are no waiters to give you recommendations).

As a result, we have doubled down on becoming an aggregator of delivery dishes across platforms. So far, the app features hundreds of restaurants (and even more dishes) that deliver in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

We’re a young company trying to foster positivity and appreciation of food, but we have a lot to learn. So if you are a big eater, order in a bunch, are indecisive like us, or just want to know what the best dishes are nearby, do check out the app! Shoot us a message at [e-mail] - we’re eager to hear this community’s ideas, experiences, and feedback :)

Download: https://go.onelink.me/PdWH/hackernews

[ttcbj]

I was prepared to dismiss this, but I actually think this is a great idea as a consumer. When I eat out, or get takeout, I want something delicious. We can go to a well-reviewed yelp restaurant, but I still don't know what's good there (I often look in the 'frequent mentions' area, but its hit-or-miss).

It might also help me with my tendency to always order the same thing once I find something I like. And, it might motivate me to try new restaurants, if I had a specific compelling thing I was going to order.

Unfortunately, I am not in your initial markets, and we never use delivery services (we go out or pick it up ourselves), but I do like the concept.

If there was a way to a review a meal at an arbitrary restaurant, I would have done so tonight.

[vaibhavverma9]

Totally understand. What market are you from? Unfortunately, we are only in SF, NY and Chicago so far.

By the way, you can review a dish from any arbitrary restaurant. You can search your restaurant and press the "Review a Dish" button. When we get enough of those in any city, we consider launching there next :)

[ttcbj]

I was able to find that with your instructions. However, I would not have discovered that on my own. I went to "Nearby", it said "Looks like there are no dishes near you, we have launched..."

If you think having new users organically add dishes is useful, I might just put a big "Review a dish anywhere" button in place of that message. I didn't realize that you had restaurants in there outside launch cities, so I just gave up. If the button had been there, and I could have discovered that I could review a dish at the restaurant I went to, I would have.

Maybe it isn't realistic to expect organic growth outside of launch cities. Still, right now the search functionality seems very prominent, but the add a review functionality does not.

[koolba]

This is an interesting idea. Cross comparing similar dishes seems right up your alley too (“if you like X at Y, then you’ll love Z at Q!”).

What’s the end game though? How would you deal with one or more of these companies refusing to give you an affiliate / referral fee?

I ask because something like this has value in aggregate but once you achieve some level of traction it’s user hostile to have a series of dishes or restaurants “disappear”.

[vaibhavverma9]

We are currently working with a few delivery platforms to get affiliate fee. Just to give you some numbers, delivery platforms typically get ~20% of the order value and ~15% of the courier fees. At the beginning, we expect to only get a tiny percentage of their net revenue, but we anticipate us getting more negotiating power over time. Totally agree with your point that users might not like it if we a series of dishes or restaurants disappear.

[wurichard]

Hi all! Richard here from Simmer. Would love your feedback on the app, HN community! I have a specific questions:

* What’s your fav delivery service and why?

* How do you decide what to order when you’re ordering delivery?

* How could our feed make this easier for you?

[denyzas]

Honestly, I used to order delivery all the time from Grubhub, and occasionally the other services. I hate it when my order arrives late or incorrectly, and Grubhub was the most reliable out of the bunch. A big concern for me while ordering from Simmer would be the accuracy of my order and completion!

When it comes to delivering food, I like the process to be as swift and clear as possible- probably because I can't see the food or the place making it. I usually choose my dish/restaurant based on what I already know is good/craving. When I create group orders, which is more often than not, lots of recommendations are being exchanged because I'm definitely quite indecisive.

Because it's delivery and I'm limited to what's open/within a price range, I'm not very adventurous to avoid "risking it". I prefer to have a great meal than an adventurous one on busy days/days in.

Hopefully, with Simmer I can explore some new options confidently!

[vaibhavverma9]

We currently deep link into other apps. You find a highly reviewed dish and then choose your preferred delivery platform (i.e. GrubHub).

We plan to build out full delivery services eventually, but we would use DoorDash to take care of the backend and logistics, so we would not be the ones actually delivering (that would be DoorDash).

Group orders is tough, and we haven't figured out how to crack that just yet :(

[istorical]

The biggest obstacle for me that you could help me solve is seeing crowdsourced photos of every dish because often I want to know quantities of things and visuals are one of the best ways to get that info.

Seamless and Uber Eats often have text descriptions of dishes here (NYC) but pictures are less common, restaurants don't seem to care enough to put in the effort.

The other big win would be to be able to see highest ranked or most liked dishes in a neighborhood (irrespective of the particular restaurant). You can often see highest rated restaurants in an area, or highest rated dishes at a particular restaurant, but it would be interesting to see a view of best dishes from all over my area.

Finally, might be neat to be able to browse by 'value' as opposed to just 'quality'.

[vaibhavverma9]

Love all your points. We have photos of most of the highest rated dishes, especially for delivery!

We also have a walking feature that allows you to see the highest ranked dishes around you. You can also go into a restaurant and see the best dishes at those restaurants.

We're not there with value just yet :(

We definitely want to focus on blowing up NYC. Is there a neighborhood or a couple of restaurants you would like us to add into the database?

[baby_wipe]

> * What’s your fav delivery service and why? DoorDash because best selection and best app. But I don't use it hardly at all because it's expensive. I usually do take-out.

> * How do you decide what to order when you’re ordering delivery? Usually I order something I already know is good, or something on the menu that seems similar to what I already know is good.

>* How could our feed make this easier for you? My number one use case for this app would be to check for the best dishes at the restaurant I'm at. Or when I'm about to order take out.

The app feels like React-Native. I'm probably extra picky (I'm an iOS dev) but I think it makes a difference to go true native.

[vaibhavverma9]

This is so helpful. Thanks for the color. We built the app using Ionic, a framework that houses a web application as an iPhone or Android app. We are considering switching to true native soon :)

Totally understand your primary use case. You can search for any restaurant and find the best dishes there!

[gringoDan]

What is your revenue model? I'd imagine you take a cut from the delivery service that you send customers to?

Just wondering about the long-term unit economics, given 1) many of these delivery companies aren't profitable and 2) they already charge a large premium for delivery.

Congrats on the launch!

[vaibhavverma9]

That's exactly right. Most delivery platforms have affiliate revenue, where we get a small percentage of the overall transaction (and courier fee). We don't plan on taking a significant cut early on but may be able to renegotiate with greater traction. We see delivery platforms in a turf war, basically commoditizing themselves and competing on logistics. We think there is room for an aggregator here.

[Justinc0223]

This is a cool idea! I've been getting tired of listening to critical Yelp reviews and was looking for an app just that this that focuses on accuracy

[vaibhavverma9]

That's exactly right! We just do reviews for individual dishes and cut the noise that comes with bad service or dirty toilets :)

[GrumpyNl]

So, you're not afraid for the yelp effect? Like, on my order i write, for good simmer review.....

[vaibhavverma9]

What do you mean by Yelp effect?

[istorical]

I already commented below but would be great to see more product screenshots before committing to a DL.

[vaibhavverma9]

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!