Is Your Delivery Food Coming From a Ghost Kitchen?

Since the pandemic, more Americans are receiving their favorite foods delivered from Uber Eats. However, it turns out that a growing number of restaurants are using "ghost kitchens." To find out, Inside Edition ordered a sub from Jersey Mike’s. When Inside Edition showed up at the address on the Uber Eats receipt, the restaurant was named Kitchen United. Kitchen United tells us the sub we ordered was prepared by Jersey Mike's staff. They say they offered that restaurant, and others, kitchen space to help them operate at lower costs.

[@RAMBOLOGY]

I dont really have an issue with ghost kitchens so long as everything works out. Its when the food starts coming out of peoples personal home kitchens then i start to question hygiene.

[@jacksonrelaxin3425]

It never works out. Drive thru is the way to go. There’s no sense in getting it delivered with so many risks involved, unless you’re disabled and need it, food delivery is just another huge scam like e-commerce.

[@joshlira2110]

If I found out my food was coming out someone's kitchen at there house, and not a business, I would be very upset.

[@Rachel-tw2wq]

@@joshlira2110 especially the older ladies who lick the spoon to taste it before serving. Shudder...

[@joshlira2110]

@@Rachel-tw2wq I would have sued!!💀💀😂😂

[@estherdmartinez1346]

😂😅as someone who worked at high end restaurants 😂😂 you have no idea what you're talking about. You're better off preparing your food yourself or literally see it as it is prepared. Never ever trust fast food or restaurants unless you're able to see it. 😂

[@4seeableTV]

As someone who does Uber Eats on the side, it kind of makes sense. Having dedicated places for customers and delivery drivers just seems to make it better for both.

[@michaelpittman3889]

I deliver also and I’m just trying to figure out why this is even news worthy. It’s not that big of a deal.

[@micahjohnsonboxing6409]

​@@michaelpittman3889 It can be, I remember I was going to order an $18 burger from Big Deal Burger. I looked it up and it was Dickies BBQ secretly. I would never spend $18 for Dickies. Basically they were scamming, making it seem like high end burger place.

[@adoreeayaa]

@@michaelpittman3889 frrrr food is food 🤷‍♀️ so why does having a ghost kitchen a big deal. I think it’s nice and helpful for having a ghost kitchen

[@decenthumanbeing67]

I absolutely agree. If they were transparent about it, I wouldn’t mind it at all. It just equates to higher efficiency

[@decenthumanbeing67]

@@micahjohnsonboxing6409 Well I agree with because you’re being lied to. If they were just transparent about it, it wouldn’t be a bad thing at all

[@devindailey5838]

Ordered Wendy’s once. The chicken nugget meal arrived tasting like Tyson chicken nuggets and my drink was a soda can. Looked up the address and it was the location of a liquor store. Went by the next day and there was a Wendy’s trailer parked behind the liquor store. Yeah never doing that again. Never got a refund from ubereats as well.

[@happycamper4483]

😅 lol. I can't stop laughing 😂

[@MrZachgonz]

Yea my kids got a Blue Rhino as their kids meal toy too.

[@jacksonrelaxin3425]

Even getting nuggets in the drive thru is a risk because Wendies reheats their food according to some employees. Food delivery is the stupidest scam I can’t believe people still waste their money on.

[@Floridamangaming729]

@@jacksonrelaxin3425as long as your not getting fast food i don’t see a issue personally. I live near alot of local restaurants so i like trying there food from there.

[@Floridamangaming729]

This is why ghost kitchens need to be shutdown. There is damn near no regulation. If you asked for Wendy’s it should come from a Wendy’s restaurant.

[@amandaprice4190]

She said the problem for consumers is you don't know who is preparing your food. You can walk in a restaurant and still not know who is preparing your food. Health departments grades.prove that point. People who mention cross contamination should only be concerned with extreme allergic reactions because if you think applebees doesn't have any cross contamination, McDonalds etc. You will be sadly and sickly mistaken

[@younglevese]

True

[@arribaficationwineho32]

It is all about being able to sue

[@pickleboy6059]

@@arribaficationwineho32 you can sue anyone for any reason. Judge will likely drop the case before trial, but you can still start a lawsuit

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@pickleboy6059 but the judges DO NOT in many cases.

[@pickleboy6059]

@@arribaficationwineho32 yes they do, like 90-95%of cases get dropped before they get trial

[@wadewilson8011]

This is actually good consumer reporting for a change.

[@fl0pZ3]

but i already knew about this for 2 years lol

[@SRose-vp6ew]

I knew about it from Mr. beast nearly four years ago, but I didn’t know to what extent it was being done. I believe a lot of Chuck E. Cheese locations became ghost kitchens during the shut down.

[@mauriciosolano9342]

I didn't know about it I thought dark kitchens were like random places making food, or just restaurants without dine-in Turns out they outsource everything??

[@Its_Hero]

@@fl0pZ3 you knew it for 2 years but not everyone does. The world doesn't revolve around you

[@yeejay6396]

​@@Its_Hero ye

[@Allaiya.]

I think it’s fine and makes complete sense from a business perspective to have deliveries coming from one place. As long as the food is consistent with the restaurant the customer is ordering from. And not knowing who makes your food? Do people normally know the guy or gal or the kitchen conditions of the food they order, whether in person or not? Give me a break.

[@Jonathan-cx6jl]

i think they mean knowing that an actual employee of the restaurant you ordered from made your meal. a 10 person kitchen staff at a ghost kitchen cannot usually be masters of cooking 20 different menus of food chains. and also the ingredients would probably not be the same.

[@Allaiya.]

@@Jonathan-cx6jl I get that, but supposedly they're employees of the company per this video, so I think it's fine in that case.

[@killer008r]

@@Jonathan-cx6jl all the ghost kitchen is, is one restaurant renting space inside of another restaurant to make their food.

[@Jonathan-cx6jl]

@@killer008r i mean it makes sense for deliveries and efficiency . I delivered for uber eats and i delivered a mr beast burger that was made at friendlys. i dont know if mr beast had a singular brick and mortar store that was called mr beast burger. the quality of a burger from freindlys is in question and now more so that freindlys is shut down. ghost kitchens need to build up a good rep in order to continue existing

[@Jonathan-cx6jl]

i mean the singular friendlys store idk if the entire chain is shut down

[@user-hg5vs7eb7r]

As a uber driver from Toronto Canada I confirmed this has been going on for long time. The first time I had this incident, I called uber and complained about it but they didn't seem to care a bit. It was fiveguys burger restaurant but it runs by Indians back of the small banquet hall kitchen. It took me 30 minutes to find the location and I waited another 30 minutes prepared just the patty. They had popeyes and kfc menu too.

[@HeavyWindBreakGlass]

I literally laughed out loud about the Popeyes and KFC menu, they're reeling it in 💰💰😅

[@topofthemorning6832]

I need Cummies ASAP 😩 ⬇️Thumbs up if you need Cummies ASAP 😫!!

[@larrys4618]

Now if you're picking up from a single family home deep within a subdivision from a restaurant that you've never heard of then you know it's some b******* going on. If it's commercial property within a commercial kitchen there's nothing to question.

[@Sweet00thtkc]

I'm curious why this dude felt it was necessary to include their race (or at least what he assumes) in his description. 🤨

[@EpicFableBean]

love how you had to say they were indian as if that mattered lol

[@ethano9527]

I once picked up food for a customer and it was at someone’s house with cat running out the front door. The name of the business showed it had a restaurant location that closed with bad reviews. I asked the customer if they knew and they didn’t.

[@jazzyjaz9108]

Wait, so if something is off and you call to complain to the place will the workers just be confused because that item never came from their location?

[@hawaii3231]

I don’t think the actual restaurant is even aware of the order at any point. The “ghost kitchen” receives the order, along with any complaints that follow.

[@dodgek5270]

No. The location posted at grab is the ghost kitchens location. They aren't hiding this fact. Some grab restuarant post even has all the brands in one store where you can order anything from any brand they carry and get one receipt.

[@PinkyRepartidora]

No. just give the restaurant name when you call….

[@manhathaway]

I mean from the owners standpoint that's a win win.

[@jazzjazz345]

Who cares where it comes from as long as it taste good.

[@jacquelinejamesx5049]

This is a major concern for me. I've known about this for a while because I drive for doordash. My big problem is I have major food allergies, thus I have to avoid certain restaurants. Ghost kitchens run a higher risk of food cross containmation

[@mentally-ill-mary]

agreed

[@MrDanielSolano007]

Boohoo. Cook ur own food

[@sykko14]

​@@MrDanielSolano007 tf is ur problem

[@sykko14]

​@@MrDanielSolano007 nothing wrong with ordering food

[@sykko14]

​@@MrDanielSolano007 this was during the pandemic

[@mattheweuqnicurzeid7154]

I worked as a delivery driver for Postmates from 2019 to 2021, and yes, MANY deliveries were from ghost kitchens. Several of them were food trucks, making burgers for Shake Shack and BurgerFi for example.

[@supercop5]

In Singapore, we have Cloud Kitchens or Smart City Kitchens. Its like a dedicated place with 10-15 different food brands, dedicated for food delivery. It makes it easier for food delivery riders, allows the nearby populace to order food that is not commonly available in their area, and there's also an option for Self-Collection. It's a good and efficient way to operate all-round. Saves time for delivery riders from waiting at a restaurant, whose staff is serving the walk-in customers before preparing the delivery order.

[@enzonavarro8550]

This is actually good!

[@acutelilmint8035]

Not when every item is different prices

[@hey_you]

Good reporting! I already knew about this, but I'm sure there's many who don't. I'll tell you that DoorDash is the most popular delivery option near me, and the ghost kitchen options mostly have negative reviews. I avoid them.

[@uhohhhsteven]

Yeah I didn’t know until I started doing Uber Eats. I was picking up a Wingstop order and kept circling this building until I realized it was a co-op ghost kitchen.

[@Indicadores-de-problemas]

I didn't know. Wow!!

[@JoyJoysWorld]

I order conviction chicken off DoorDash....It's nasty as hell.

[@babd7176]

In my area they have the best reviews. It's mostly Independent Chefs not wanting to pay overhead for a Brick & Mortar Store. Those that may not be able to afford a fully staffed Restaurant. I guess it depends where you're at.

[@shereena5700]

How do u know is a ghost kitchen?

[@mr.narrator6781]

Yeah this is real, I am a server at IHop and we have a ghost kitchen for a quesadilla restaurant. After 3pm we do make both Ihop and Maxadilla foods.

[@redfailhawk]

I... I had a really weird reaction a few months ago after ordering delivery. It mimicked food poisoning, but if I didn't think it was out of place for where I got food from I'd have said it was an allergic reaction to salmon. I'm wondering if this is what happened. That's concerning....

[@canela904]

I mean food itself will always get back at us regardless where, whom, or what we get it from. The beauty of our bodies is able to recover with swift thinking. I'm sorry you got sick but honestly with any food, you simply have to gamble and at times it's not even the chef's fault, you'd be surprise it can be simple as a recalled produce whose warning may have come too late from the aftermath. As perfect as we try to aim to be, no system is without a gap for these pesky bacteria. I know, I've been a victim of food poisoning more than once, but I won't let it deter me at all from coming back to different establishments--especially if it was a one-time thing. I'd be most concerned if I got sick twice or three time from the same place, THEN I can jump the gun and speak the health concerns of that place. Stay safe out there!

[@DirtCheapFU]

I stopped using uber/dash. I even turn my food pizza hut/dominoes deliveries away if theyre not in or wearing some part of a uniform. I need to be at certain level of trust with the food I am going to eat. You can die from food poisoning. Doesn't have to be actual poison, not cooked right or with clean hands. I've had some nights where I chomped down on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and a nice cup of coffee, because I didnt feel like cooking or ordering delivery.

[@huskydadtokoda]

I've done doordash and postmates and it is really confusing for the drivers when the restaurant is different from what it says on the app

[@juicejuice11550]

I never order food because you never know what's being done to your food from the kitchen thru the delivery. I am a caterer and rather cook my own food.

[@gregpenismith1248]

Cool story. No one asked.

[@craythachef7774]

I'm a caterer and I cook my own food also.

[@gregpenismith1248]

@@craythachef7774 wow, just like most people.

[@starojunes]

It looks like they just need to be more clear. It should be mandatory to let customers know if food is being made in a ghost kitchen or not.

[@waleedabdulrab8779]

Yes, TGI Fridays is Conviction Chicken. It's also Apps All Around. Many restaurants have Ghost Kitchens. It allows for more menu items to be sold for online orders. I don't see anything wrong with it.

[@jacksonrelaxin3425]

More transparency is the purpose. You can’t be secretive when preparing peoples food. It’s already sketchy enough.

[@deNNyTheWiseMAN1]

I don't know. If I'm ordering something from a popular brand name like Jersey Mike's, I want it from an actual Jersey Mike's store!

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

TGIF has gone so downhill with their food they might as well put their kitchen to better use.

[@morganbree]

i worked at applebees as a line cook, we had cheeto wings and curds at one point, then we got rid of them in store but for whatever reason i would still get orders for the cheeto wings and cheeto cheese curds, turns out, door dash advertised a restaurant that solely sold cheeto wings, and cheese curds, the restaurant does not exist, because they came from applebees lol… if you’ve never heard of the restaurant in your town before and can’t find it on google, it is likely coming from somewhere else.

[@xxrandomgamerxx810]

Is it cosmic wings? I ordered from there and never got my food lol

[@vivianradke2860]

Ooohhh I get it. 😮😮😮

[@morganbree]

@@xxrandomgamerxx810 lmao yep!!

[@whitepouch0904]

@@morganbree it’s like drop shipping but for food

[@Unlike230]

Last week I saw this report on TV, today I placed an order and it happened to me. I ordered from a franchise in my area that I know and ordered from many times before. Today when I ordered I realized something was off with the menu. I looked at the address on Uber eats but couldn't find it. I placed an order out of curiosity and hoped that maybe it was just a new location they just opened. When I received it it came in a plan plastic bag with damaged store bought containers. No store logos anywhere as the intended establishment usually have on all of their products. I called customer service immediately. This business was using the franchise name and a fake address listing some of the same items as the original restaurant. I threw it out because I didn't trust it. UberEATS and all these companies dealing with food should not allow it. We don't know their standards of cleanliness. Anyone could easily contaminate food as it not being regulated. It's also not fair to the restaurants who do have to abide by the rules.

[@RandomVideos-fz7ci]

Honestly, this is genius. Whoever came up with this deserves a promotion.

[@jeannettenett7275]

Im a door dasher and let me tell you i cant lie i have delivered from someone’s personal home kitchen i mean disgusting served thru a window 😂

[@dominicelek9394]

For real?

[@micahjohnsonboxing6409]

Why was it disgusting? When I was younger I worked in a biscuit warehouse and that place was filthy. I'd imagine someone's home is cleaner.

[@rescue9810]

@@micahjohnsonboxing6409👀 no way. At home, people become more comfortable. I would imagine licking fingers and all. Probably not cleaning counters properly. And believe it or not, downtown NYC, a lot people have roach problems. Doesn’t matter how much money you have, I’ve witnessed some disgusting habits.

[@glorias.2930]

Omg😮

[@thisisme3238]

Thanks for letting us know.

[@bonz24]

This is crazy, the food service company I work for introduced this back during covid. At the university we were at, we turned one of our retail kitchens into a ghost kitchen for students. We did the following out of the kitchen. Mr. Beast burgers Mariah Carey cookies Faze subs Pardon my Cheese Steak It took off and students liked it, but this is not new. We have been doing this since 2021. Just crazy to see how this is now a thing, and I knew about this 2.5 years ago.

[@Ghostyboydead]

​@@trash2347i swear he literally said that.

[@fransschreuders8488]

This is like buying food out of the trunk of someone's car.

[@thisisme3238]

Agree

[@The_North0]

Not really. Some restaurat have their own so called ghost kitchen that’s specialized in online orders. Nothing to see here

[@blackdereker4023]

The food from the original place is still from a trunk tho. I doubt you know what happens behind the McDonalds counter.

[@pushslice]

LOL @ eating box-steamed stale food. Some folks just don't really enjoy food. Make it yourself, or eat it at the place of cooking, as the cook intended/plated it.

[@Mrbeattheone]

Wow no wonder why I never see any of these ghost kitchens in real life

[@frankexit]

I have definitely delivered DoorDash in Portland, and picked up food from a person’s house… When I arrived, I saw an “open” sign outside the person’s door… it was Mexican food, and it was encased in a beautiful box with decorations and the person’s name written in glitter… nobody spoke to me, they just put the food outside on a stand as soon as I arrived and shut the door… I thought it was very strange, but I’m sure it happens more frequently than I’m aware.

[@greatgownsbeautifulgowns]

I had never heard of ghost kitchens until now, but after they explained the definition I realized had I been ordering food from a ghost kitchen all along lol. I had ordered seafood, Indian food, tacos, and Hibachi all at once and all from one restaurant more than several times. I ordered through UberEats, but it wasn't until I drove by the actual restaurant that I realized that there were signs for about 10 different restaurants directly underneath the largest sign which had the main name that the restaurant went by. The food was VERY GOOD but unfortunately the restaurant closed down.

[@sassyfrass7029]

For health code violations? I’ve seen that happen a few times with ghost kitchens as a recovering driver.

[@heirloomcategory5673]

Hello, Indian.

[@greatgownsbeautifulgowns]

@@sassyfrass7029 That could be what happened because it seemed like they closed so suddenly, but I don't know. One day I drove past the restaurant and thought it looked sort of empty. It didn't register for me until I paid attention and realized that they the parking lot was empty on a couple of Fridays during dinner time which is usually a busy time.

[@NadeemAhmed-nv2br]

@@sassyfrass7029 probably slave labor especially if it was an Indian restaurant

[@m.z.9344]

@@greatgownsbeautifulgownsthe restaurant owners were probably not making much money because the money went to the big name brands that were using the restaurant. Those brands don’t have to pay for the property or any bills like that, it harms the restaurant owners.

[@rosario508]

I’m not sure how I feel about this. If the food is made to the exact specifications and standards of the original establishment then I don’t see an issue

[@RoIIingStoned]

Right how is no one talking about quality control??

[@redfailhawk]

My biggest concern is allergens. There is the potential for exposure to things you aren't concerned about from a restaurant. Example: I am deathly allergic to salmon (not all fish, JUST salmon). I avoid one Japanese in place in town because they have it, but frequent another. If I order something from a place that's serving both, I could literally end up in a hospital. But on the other hand, the economics of this make total sense, so long as dishes aren't being shared and sanitation is properly done. I would order from one if I knew it also got health inspected, no problem.

[@loner1878]

The issue is many dont.

[@thisisme3238]

Number one concern should be cleanliness in food preparations from ghost kitchens. Regular restaurants must pass OSHA and FDA qualifications, and be licensed. Ghost restaurants should also have those strict requirements for becoming a business.

[@killer008r]

​@@thisisme3238 They do. They absolutely do.

[@this_is_NOT_a_test]

If you want the authentic food from the restaurant you want to order from, skip the delivery and dine at the restaurant or pick it up yourself.

[@thisisme3238]

Strongly agree 👍

[@ShahabSheikhzadeh]

This is no less authentic if The supply chain is the same...

[@this_is_NOT_a_test]

@@ShahabSheikhzadeh It's not the exact same deep fryers used at those restaurants, oil and all ;-)

[@blackdereker4023]

@@this_is_NOT_a_test I doubt a different deep fryer will make a difference if the oil is on the same temperature as the original. I agree tho that at least they should use separate deep fryers for each franchise.

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

100%

[@safeersendjayawinata5553]

I ordered Nashville hot chicken through Uber eats once and liked it. Decided to go to physical restaurant one day for lunch just to find out it was actually a Lone Star 😭

[@bigboobs1190]

us delivery drivers know these 'ghost kitchens' as "virtual restaurants". it's exactly what this report is saying, some locations have more than 100 restaurants that just serve the same things.

[@b.davila136]

What they aren’t telling you is that ghost kitchens although cheaper than a B&M, feel like a prison. Also when you open a business in a ghost kitchen whatever profit you make from your sales 20-30% go to delivery companies like Uber or DoorDash. The rest is for paying rent for the ghost kitchen and food cost. Sometimes you break even.

[@blackdereker4023]

That seems like a problem for business owners. If you feel like your business model is not compatible, then don't use ghost kitchens.

[@richard2616]

"Everyone knows I love chicken wings 'cuz I'm..." Y'all weren't expecting "from Buffalo" to be the answer.

[@henryfreeman6113]

I sorted by new hoping to find this comment. You win! 🥇 😂

[@mashan1978]

I was.

[@hpaz3263]

And the price never drops : (

[@Kjk_808]

Just as long as the place passes inspection there’s no real issue

[@aqueous5099]

This just makes sense. There is no way most businesses could scale with the demand and shifts in market consumption. But the standard should be proper oversight and transparency between the third party and first party.

[@FyreStartr]

Do you know what many restaurants do when they can’t keep up with the demands of in person, phone or delivery orders? They turn off the ability for customers to order from door Dash or Uber eats, and even from ordering online for pick up or curbside via their website. This is all about money. There have been many times, I live in Texas, that I’ve tried to order online or through a delivery service but could not because the traffic inside was overwhelming. This is all about money make no mistake, plus they keep repeating how it’s “low cost” for the restaurant to operate through a stand alone kitchen. This is bad business.

[@Kinglioncrown]

This is a major concern for me because we don't know what's really going on there.

[@trippymchippy8586]

Then cook and feed yourself. Problem solved.

[@Mr__Frodo]

Like we ever knew what's going on there in the first place

[@jacksonrelaxin3425]

@@trippymchippy8586 so when the meat starts going back just go hunt your own meat and grain. Problem solved.

[@cordinarcher1054]

You've never known what's going on in ANY kitchen you clown!

[@BOGDANBLUNT]

It is the same in Romania. In APACA, which is an ex textile factory in the 6th District, Bucharest, operate more than 10 restaurants' kitchen. The location is just a bunch of warehouses, with no front desk, not even a decent banner with the restaurant name; most of the couriers have trouble finding the needed restaurant. 😕

[@LinkTheFusky]

1:44 "everyone knows i'm a huge fan of chicken wings" 🤔 "cause i'm from buffalo" Oh! 😅

[@shakemiz]

If the sub brand said this is an approved location where they rent the kitchen, have the official logo on the window and they cook delivery food with the same ingredients as they do in their dine-in restaurants. What is it a ghost kitchen about this place??? Sounds 100% legit.

[@twothreeactual9254]

FIRST OF ALL GROSS!! SECONDLY I NEVER ORDER BECAUSE I DON’T TIP!! AND EVERY PATRIOTIC AMERICAN SHOULD DO THE SAME!!!

[@stillerseas5985]

I DoorDashed for a quite a bit while last year and noticed that this was very prevalent here in Portland, Oregon as I took on more and more orders. Food from several big name, popular places with locations that I knew were nearby, but the address led me to a few of these shady and nondescript food trucks that I could not identify right away my pickup destination because it didn’t say, for example, “Red Robin” anywhere and there was no Red Robin; just this big white and gray food truck with an acronym like, “HTBL4” or something with a small Red Robin label somewhere on their trailer and it seemed more than just a little confusing, it was honestly downright disgusting. Here I was picking up and delivering food from a food truck with the names to many other restaurants on it, but there was just two guys in it, making an array of food for various restaurants. This makes absolutely no sense. I would see this kind of order play out during too often during my dashes, and I quickly learned to not use DoorDash to get food to myself or anyone that I know.

[@sitisarah826]

In future, flying drone will fly to delivery send food at your house

[@senorbusyman]

Theres a Sandwich place called The Meltdown that I ordered from Doordash a few times. I thought it was a local sandwich shop but it comes from my fav Denny's. Its weird they have a ghost kitchen but cant complain about the awesome sandwiches

[@moseswise5717]

There should be something in the restaurants description letting you know its made in a ghost kitchen

[@moseswise5717]

So you can decide weather or not you want you're food coming from a ghost kitchen if u take this risk of going with a ghost kitchen u at least know ahead of time the food practices could sketch

[@Thing-vx4fg]

Pro tip. If u rlly wanna know where ur ordering from & it seems like a ghost kitchen, select pickup & u can google the adress.

[@sassyfrass7029]

It’s a major issue to me. There is more to some of these “ghost kitchens” then meets the eye. I didn’t know that’s what was happening when I was delivering for 2 of the services. Didn’t know about the “ghost kitchens”. One night I got an order for PF Changs. I was sent to this address that was a dilapidated storefront. Called customer support and told yeah, you’re at the right place. Ok. The smell that hit me upon opening the door was horrendous!!! It was dirty and just nasty in there. I contacted customer support and said no one should ever get food out of this place. Is it legal? I had many questions and was outraged! They gave me an email address to send pictures to. So I took pictures while the workers were just laughing and speaking in Spanish acting like they didn’t understand me. Just a side note: one guy kept digging in his nose with one hand while tossing lo mein with the other. Then switched hands to use the nose digger to add more veggies. No gloves, no hand cleaning…the list goes on. I was asked to complete the order and they will “investigate”. Not happening! I called the customer and told her that I recommend you cancel this order and try something else. I explained why and she did. Long story short, I called the health department and filed a complaint. I drove by everyday until I saw that it was closed down. It was boarded up with hazard signs and notices of closure due to health code violations all over the front. That was my last night delivering. You just don’t know what is going on in the kitchens with the food no matter where you order from, but that was nightmarish. I can no longer eat out anywhere. There’s a lot more that happened, but too much to post. Let’s just say when the customer asked if I had pictures and I sent them to her, life became hell for that service. The one time I was glad to meet a “Karen”. 😂😂😂 Not sure of all the results, but I was contacted, interviewed and questioned by a few entities and orgs about the incident. So I do know there was an investigation that lasted well after the place was shut down. 🤢🤮🤐

[@LisaBowers]

Good on your for reporting it and stopping that order! This is a nightmare scenario for me. I have celiac disease and it can take me up to a week to recover from an exposure to gluten. I only order from places that have a dedicated gluten free menu and PF Chang's is one of them. I know I'm taking a chance when I eat food that's not prepared in my own home, but I would have never dreamed that my food could possibly have been prepared at a nasty third party location. No one expects that! I've never heard of ghost kitchens until now and, quite frankly, I'm a little horrified. I could easily go "full Karen" if I discovered that my food had been prepared that way! (And you should never go full Karen. 😂) Again, thank you for looking out for your customers! ❤

[@sassyfrass7029]

@@LisaBowers I’m still astounded I didn’t know about such a thing..while delivering…until I ran into it a few times. I also wonder-did anyone else report this, or were drivers really going in and picking up food to deliver without saying a word?????? After what I saw , I had no choice but to start making calls. 🌹

[@Unlike230]

I commend you for doing a good deed. Last week I saw this report on TV, today I placed an order and it happened to me. I ordered from a franchise in my area that I know and ordered from many times before. Today when I ordered I realized something was off with the menu. I looked at the address on Uber eats but couldn't find it. I placed an order out of curiosity and hoped that maybe it was just a new location they just opened. When I received it it came in a plan plastic bag with damaged store bought containers. No store logos anywhere as the intended establishment usually have on all of their products. I called customer service immediately. This business was using the franchise name and a fake address listing some of the same items as the original restaurant. I threw it out because I didn't trust it. UberEATS and all these companies dealing with food should not allow it. We don't know their standards of cleanliness. Anyone could easily contaminate food as it not being regulated. It's also not fair to the restaurants who do have to abide by the rules.

[@shweet7891]

​@@Unlike230exactly

[@AntisocialExtrovert90]

Currently on chapter 4 of this comment novel. It’s a page turner for sure.

[@Davidsmee]

1:44 I legit thought he said “Everyone knows that I’m a huge fan of chicken wings because I’m… Black-“ lol 😅😂

[@mr.appetizer1462]

Thats the real answer

[@lukogs]

So it's as same as open/shared office space where companies rent out per seat basis?. Instead of seat they rent a stove?

[@hg58125]

Yeah my restaurant used to sell some burgers from some restaurants that closed during pandemic.. but we would honor the original recipes .. only worked for a lil bit before people started coming out again

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

1:44 legit thought he was finna say: 'cause I'm black.

[@ESUNintel]

I try to avoid ghost kitchens; 1:4 was actually really good, 3:4 was a terrible experience for the Uber driver and/or me. I felt so bad because one of the kitchens gave the delivery driver such a hard time and he was patient to wait about 30-minutes for the food. Another one, let’s just say dog food looked far more appetizing and edible.

[@kolbalthusky]

As a food delivery driver in Orlando FL. The vast majority of orders I deliver and ghost kitchens or brand diversity within a company. Most large chains have 2 or 3 brands they serve.

[@yvonnewilliams8800]

Sounds like a good idea and great training for up and coming chefs

[@Johngoodman454]

This isn't news it's been this way since door dash

[@toroflame]

As a cook, its probably really hard remembering everything on your restaurants menu Now imagine having to learn multiple restaurants menus and how package each one of their goods, the right way 😵‍💫

[@Chuchel-hh6hq]

The host : Everyone knows i'm a huge fan of chicken wings - 😳 The host : Cause i'm from Buffalo 😄

[@doingtime20]

Ghost kitchens for delivery apps have been around for years, even here in Mexico.

[@sandhanitizer15]

I'm never trusting a random person to pick up my food for me. I'd much rather only trust the actual restaurant to deliver or I'll pick it up myself. Someone who works at the place is much less likely to do something to the food, eat some, or god knows what people would do.

[@rescue9810]

If i need to visit the establishment “once” , I’ll just pick up food while I’m outside. The whole point is to be getting food delivered from where I believe it’s coming from. How is this even legal? It’s like ordering from a diner and they’re doing their best to replicate a dish 🙄

[@gregpenismith1248]

It's not really any different than a food truck that changes locations, Karen.

[@zitronentee]

It is legal. It's a new way for new franchises to expand their brand without paying too much.

[@blackdereker4023]

What do you mean trying to replicate a dish? You know that fast food restaurants fire and hire new workers frequently and they have to learn how to cook the food, that's no different from a ghost kitchen.

[@cooliipie]

1:45 ... because I'm ... My heart stopped LOL

[@ChrisRot137]

Ghosterbusters should be investigating this.

[@Kinglioncrown]

No wonder why we don't know what's really going on in these so-called ghost kitchens. I believe we need real transparency on what's going on.

[@anothergenericgamer_]

You dont even know whats going on in the direct kitchens lol

[@kreativeforce532]

welcome to the Black experience. You think we know whats going on in ghetto chinese restaurants? fk no! the bulletproof glass isn't even transparent. You better go ask bruce jenners folks if you want trans-parents-see.

[@indexcadge]

In India they're all over the place and known as cloud kitchens. They're definitely shady even though restaurants make more money

[@Lavender_Roseee]

@@anothergenericgamer_was just gonna say this 😂 don’t even know what goes on in their local well known restaurant kitchen.

[@peternguyen4042]

I’m not surprised by this because Mr. Beast Burger used Buca Di Beppo’s kitchen for their delivery services.

[@happycamper4483]

So does RedRobin restaurants use Mr. Beast here in Chicago

[@stagger9660]

So they pay less overhead but still charge customers the same as a normal location? Plus whatever fee doordash or uber eats has?

[@georgejones5019]

I've spotted a few in my area. Places without physical locations. It's sketchy, they list their physical location as other restaurants.

[@aaronpetrovich1164]

As long as it is prepared by the employees not only in a hygiene matter but in a way that's consistent with how the restaurant prepares it. It'd be like if you ordered a pair of Nikes, but they sent you a pair of off brand shorts from Walmart if the food wasn't restaurant quality.

[@SpazticMuffin]

I've noticed this a long time ago. Some restaurants on Grub Hub all looked similar and had the same address.. They usually each specialized in their own specific niche, like grilled cheese, or french toast, or mac & cheese. They also had these word play gimmick names like Shut the French Toast or something like that. I ordered from one once and the food was mediocre at best. I never knew there was a name for it though... ghost kitchen.. very interesting. What will they think of next?

[@searphhoney]

I remember when this happened to me. Had I not heard about this prior I would have been confused why the containers were for a different restaurant.

[@honestcomments8053]

Nice work Inside Edition for this research.

[@bigoof9486]

Honestly idc as long it is good and not outrageously priced. But i dont have food allergies so.

[@kraftthisile9113]

Celebs have personal chefs why on earth would they request delivery. What a sham.

[@rhondaarnold5249]

$$$ that's why.

[@vsfgh]

The food delivery apps don't even list all the menu items.

[@GabriellaRodriguezx23]

This happened often in upstate. If you live in the capital region, you’ll know there’s plenty of restaurants that don’t have actual store fronts, and if they do, they’re limited. Example, “Hootie’s Burgers” is one of the restaurants on Uber eats….it’s just Hooters, but only their burger list. That’s how they’re able to branch out more and get more bang for their buck.

[@duck8280]

This makes me wanna open my own kitchen, and ship out locally. Make some killer stuff and become a town sensation.

[@Gamer_Live_Studio]

I will never use uber eats because I don't know who the person that's delivering my food I could cost in the bag open my bag of all this s*** try to touch all my s***.... No no thank you I don't want somebody dirty hands to be all over my food

[@javiercordova2108]

I love ghost kitchens. There's one near where I live and you can just walk up and order from a variety of things from many brands. Recommend it for families who can't decide what they want, but again, most ghost kitchens aren't open to the public, unlike mine.

[@thisisntallowed9560]

Does it help to keep the food more fresh?

[@MauriceCool]

i gost kitchen kind of sounds scary

[@GodzHarleyGirlStudio]

As a person with many food allergies this is severely concerning!

[@Nsobloo]

We definitely got too spoiled in this society because tell me what you might do if there were no such thing as restaurants. Perhaps make your own food.

[@noahriggs455]

then don’t risk your heath ? Lol. Go pick it up or cook tf you complaining for?

[@Ms._Carriage]

....why? How is it any different than the actual restaurant that also has many different things cooked in their kitchen?

[@ninomecaj5113]

I mean as long as the food is good I’m happy 🤷

[@explorationgmer1336]

Just cook at home or pick it up

[@vanesaloveshogwarts9871]

1:26 😂😂😂when he says "what the heck?!"

[@erinhuggins1779]

I have never used UberEATS because I live outside of the delivery zone. But I can order groceries from a close Walmart or Kroger and I know how to cook. And it's cheaper

[@shakiyagotdreams2299]

They need to investigate Uber drivers who don’t deliver your food but keep the food!!!! U can never find these people

[@sightlocs349]

I’ve never had any do that to me, but I do see videos all the time here about customers who receive it and claim they don’t or nip pick for a refund

[@kyliCatherine1]

Literally JUST had this happen to me a couple days ago. The driver took a picture of the food delivered OUTSIDE of a random building that wasn’t even where I live. It was just sitting on the GROUND. She refused to answer my calls or texts. I believe she just took a picture of the food in front of her own building and kept it! Because if she was actually trying to deliver it to me, why ignore my calls and texts? Plus I had very explicit directions on how to get to my home.

[@fenrichvega6166]

As long as my food taste good then im good. At the end of the day if these ghost kitchens mess up my order i will blame the actual restaurant for it anyway and thats their rep being hurt,not the ghost kitchen

[@baronluigi2738]

Outsourcing from a food service whose service is basically based on outsourcing

[@pezaeasstudios7198]

Why was the Background Westminster Abbey.

[@timwilke16]

I’m a door dash driver and I pick up food from a real Jersey Mike’s. I’ve never picked up from a “ghost kitchen”

[@micahjohnsonboxing6409]

That's suspicious cause I did charity work before and they did their work out of a ghost kitchen facility and door dashers were in and out all day.

[@timwilke16]

@@micahjohnsonboxing6409 well not in Phoenix Arizona

[@redfailhawk]

@@micahjohnsonboxing6409 this could be locational. I grew up in a remote area with no options so I guarantee they have such a thing there to just expand offerings. But in my local town, with five subways and three wendy's and eighty six mcdonalds's within a twenty minute drive, I kind of expect it to be real. Though now I'm suspicious of that food poisoning I got a while back being an allergic reaction... I ordered Japanese from one restaurant, but there's another nearby that serves an allergen of mine (the one I go to does not).

[@sataniclivesmatter]

I did Uber Eats for a while as a part time gig and this story not telling the real story, at times I would get order to pick up food from Apartment Complex’s. I would notify Uber that it’s not a real restaurant and have Uber cancel the order , refund the customer and hopefully Uber removed them from the app. During the Pandemic people would make a resturant business and Uber would not do it due diligence and make sure that the restaurant was an actual restaurant regulated by the proper authorities. If a food inspector can’t make unannounced visit to an actual restaurant then I would not eat from that place. Food coming from a private residence and not a commercial business is a no go!

[@dogtownoon9791]

Where do mcdonalds and jersey mikes get food from a distributor, the distributor just opened its own outlet and partnering with name brands

[@Mexicano1768]

if it has a weird stupid name that seems like a drunk teen named it, it's definitely a Ghost Kitchen 😂

[@jpop99]

Shane Dawson covered this like a month ago and yeah its real

[@ReelBasileno]

Sometimes its a fake booking.

[@toobusy63]

Buca Di Peppo, Fazolis has a huge ghost kitchen here in Indiana. They're online only....

[@thechubbyneko-meow3300]

To be honest even if the food isn't of the brand it still taste pretty good, I know that isn't an excuse for the actually brand not to be the ones cooling the food but least some of those who make it makes it taste just like the actual brand, that my friends is the real spooky secret hehe

[@foodiegal9923]

I figured this out a while ago- maybe I order a lot but I noticed that when I look at my Doordash app, sometimes you see these random restaurants pop up that you’ve never heard of but the menu looks familiar. Or the ghost restaurant has a name similar to the actual restaurant. It was odd but after seeing this story - I guess it makes sense.

[@IdrkWhatMyNameShouldBe]

It’s called “Uber eats” for a reason, your food delivery driver (AKA food Uber) eats your food on the way.

[@riverjordan2725]

LMAO! 🤣🤭

[@himhim3344]

1:45 No.....that's not the reason we were all thinking

[@seanahmed9079]

that is a really cool and innovative approach. How food places can afford to stay open in this economy is a mystery to me. Also flower shops!! WTF!! How do they stay in business??

[@artisthusnatalal3099]

*Just don't be lazy. Get up and cook your own home made healthy food!* 😋😋😋