Saudi Gazette reports on the growing demand for home delivery of prepared foods in Saudi Arabia. While it’s still a relatively new service, many Saudis—particularly women who are not permitted to drive—find it useful. There’s a debate, though, about whether Saudis or foreigners make the better delivery people.

Saudis order, Saudis deliver

TAIF – The culture of restaurant home-delivery remains relatively limited in Saudi Arabia, compared to much of the world where the practice is common not only for modest food outlets but also the finest restaurants.

Despite representing a cost-free luxury to the customer who can make his order with a mere telephone call, and the obvious business benefits to the restaurant sector, most restaurants in the Kingdom, particularly the higher-class establishments, do not provide the service, Al-Watan Arabic daily reports.
While there remains a general suspicion towards having an individual come to the house door, as well as the efficiency in delivering, some do see the plus-side.

College student Kholoud Tashkandi deems the service useful, “especially for women whose husbands are busy and do not have a private driver.”

Kholoud believes that housewives are in need of a service that provides what they need at the touch of a button. “It’s also a boon for a person who’s been on the road and arrives home late and exhausted,” she said.

There are, however, conditions, according to Kholoud. She thinks it better that the restaurant employee taking the order and the one delivering be Saudis, in order to “accurately understand what the customer wants,” noting that a command of English in many restaurants is limited.
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