The best delivery food that actually arrive delicious

Generally speaking, anything that gets fried in oil doesn't keep well in the back of a delivery driver's bag, but fried chicken is just one of those enduring hankerings we get. If it's packaged well—and that can be a big if—so long as it's not soggy upon arrival (and that's possible!), a piece of crispy chicken either in a sandwich or by the drumstick can be incredibly satisfying. The reheating factor here can be problematic, and while chefs across the country are always improving recipes, fried chicken tends to be a coin toss. Satisfying and satiating in ways no other food can, but a coin toss.

Ah, the sandwich. A perfect unit of food. If a restaurant's got the courage to put a sandwich they'll swear by on the menu, it's likely worth it. However, a sandwich can go wrong in many ways: Is it too dry? Too soggy? Not enough toppings? Too many toppings? That said, even with all of those potential pitfalls, most can travel and do so effectively and can last until the next day at least. Some even benefit from a bit of mileage, like a Philly cheesesteak, smash burger or a bacon, egg and cheese, but even better if they come cold like an Italian muffuletta when bread's lightly soaking up the condiments. Most of all, there's variety. Best of all: If your order does not succeed at first, try something else.

From creamy alfredo to hearty bolognese, pasta dishes are a delivery dream. The sauces cling to the noodles, keeping everything flavorful and intact during transit. Plus, pasta reheats like a champ—whether on the stove or in the microwave—making it a strong contender for both dinner and next-day leftovers. Just be sure to ask for extra parmesan on the side, because the waiter with the block of cheese doesn’t appear tableside when you’re at home.

Hosomaki. Sashimi. Nigiri. Futomaki. Poké bowls. Sushi burritos. Whatever way you want, sushi is a reliable bet when it comes to delivery from both omakase masters and more affordable places. Some may be squeamish with the idea of having raw fish delivered to a door, but it's generally made-to-order and supposed to be served up relatively cold in the first place; even common sides like edamame and miso soup tend to travel well. Sushi gets docked marks for not being very good a day later, however, so try to avoid over-ordering.

Rich, fragrant curries with basmati rice or naan travel incredibly well. Butter chicken, tikka masala and saag paneer retain their flavors and textures, even after a long drive or a trip into the microwave. Pro tip: Order extra naan, because even if you don’t finish it, it’s still excellent tomorrow after sprinkling it with water and throwing it in a hot oven.

The word 'casserole' might sooner conjure up thoughts of home cooking, but consider what falls under this category: Mac 'n' cheese, lasagna, enchiladas, moussaka, cassoulets... The list goes on. When baked to order, casseroles hold their shape, taste and texture well past when they arrive at your doorstep. Even if you only manage to plow through half a dish, casseroles tend to last a considerable amount of time in the fridge and reheat easily, which lends major points to all things casserole. 

Burritos are basically edible suitcases for your favorite flavors. Wrapped tightly in foil, they retain their heat and structure, making them ideal for delivery. They get bonus points for versatility—whether you go classic carne asada or breakfast-style with eggs and bacon, the handy burrito barely needs the container it arrives in.

Among all the things your mind may jump to when ordering delivery, consider the humble dumpling. Whether baked, boiled, fried or steamed, all dumplings come as self-contained pockets of deliciousness, making a dumpling a conveniently packaged-within-a-package food. They come in a huge range of options—Japanese gyoza, Polish pierogi, Chinese dim sum, Korean mandu, Middle Eastern kibbeh, you name it—and each is as incredibly satisfying to eat as the next. While you'll likely eat every last one in your order, they'll easily keep until the next day or two. Then again, who's ever heard of leftover dumplings? 

Baked goods are delivery champions. They arrive ready to add a touch of something special to your day. It’s not just sweets: along with muffins or a dozen cookies, empanadas and savory pies will retain all their flaky awesomeness stored in a steam-releasing box. Plus, they double as breakfast the next morning—if they last that long.

Provided they've been stir-fried or come with just the right amount of sauce, noodles are a versatile choice for delivery. Think Chinese chow mein or lo mein, Japanese yaki udon or mazemen (brothless ramen), Korean japchae, pad Thai, Indonesian mie goreng; all of these—when cooked in the right amount of sauce and oil—and many more look and taste just as they would've come straight out of the kitchen (minus a few minutes). Besides, who among us hasn't appreciated some leftover noodles the next day? Send noods, please.

Grilled until charred and served in skewers above fluffy rice, kebabs do well hanging out in their packaging until you’re ready. Whether chicken shawarma, lamb kofta or vegetable skewers, these dinner batons retain all of what’s good on a long trip to your door. If you’re worried they’ll dry out on the drive, order an extra side of hummus or tzatziki.

Who doesn't love a good taco (or the taco bowl, its deconstructed cousin)? Regarding delivery, tacos easily make the trip no matter its packaging, particularly when served in soft-shell corn or flour tortillas—only a true packaging master can keep hard shells from getting soggy. The portion sizes are just right as well, allowing tacos to dodge the reheat factor altogether; that makes even fish tacos a decent choice despite their breaded and fried toppings. But if you've got a leftover taco kicking around? No problem! Pop that sucker in the microwave and Roberto's your uncle. 

Be it Texan, North Carolinian, South Carolinian, Alabamian, Tennessean or Missourian, the thick cuts of brisket, finger-licking ribs, pulled pork, cuts of smoked chicken and more can all make for solid delivery choices. While most orders are juicy in their own right, some may even argue that barbecue can benefit from steaming in its own takeout container along the way, and a few parts of a true barbecue meal—fritters, grits, slaw, beans, potato salad, collard greens, corn on the cob—fail to make the trip. Reheating's no problem as well, and better still, leftovers can be repurposed into sandwiches, pastas and salads.  

From rich Indian stews and chili to Thai soups and even pho broth (if the noodles are packed separately), generally, every soup and stew-type dish out there tends to retain some of its temperature from the kitchen to your table. Bonus points go to the reheating factor, as even if you don't finish your meal, it's simple enough to zap it in the microwave or heat it in the oven, and boom: You just breathed life into your leftovers.

Few things are as time-honored in the realm of delivery as pizza. It's been around so long that getting a hot pizza to your house is practically a science—how many delivery foods out there can claim to have their own specialized bag, anyway? This versatile, comforting and delicious dish can get topped with (or without) just about anything you can think of, and always survives its travel time. Even if it doesn't, pizza consistently heats up well. Heck, some people even like to eat it cold. Consider this the reigning champion of delivery eats.