Uber Eats expanding food delivery in metro Detroit

Uber Eats is expanding its food delivery service in suburban Detroit, giving consumers access to restaurant cuisine without leaving home.

After debuting in Detroit last November, the nation's fastest-growing meal delivery service has spread to Livonia, Westland, Farmington, Birmingham and Rochester Hills, among other suburbs.

Basement Burger Bar owner Dave Azar said his locations in Farmington and Detroit have joined Uber Eats, but the service isn't yet available for his third eatery in Canton.

"It's more marketing for our products and an easier way to have a delivery system," he said. "Detroit's been cranking for some time and we're just getting started in Farmington."

Uber drivers now deliver from restaurants in Westland, including Ashley's Beer and Grill, Los Amigos, Anna's House, McDonald's and Olga's Kitchen. Mayor William Wild said it gives the Westland Shop and Dine District another way to market its food and provide easy access for consumers.

"Uber Eats will help stimulate our local economy by increasing that access and by creating jobs in the area," Wild said.

To use the service, consumers can download the free Uber Eats app on smart phones, pore over menus and order from restaurants such as Black Label Tavern and Sonic Drive-In in Livonia, Los Amigos in Westland and Smashburger in Rochester Hills. Customers also can go to www.ubereats.com.

An Uber driver picks up the food order and delivers it. And the app allows customers to track the driver's delivery status and route. Consumers pay the price of the food and a delivery fee that has typically been several dollars. Tipping is optional.

Customers will know their final price tag before completing their order.

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Mark Taormina, Livonia director of planning and economic development, said Uber Eats gives consumers another option and provides a service for restaurants that didn't previously have delivery.

"It's a pretty neat concept," he said. "To the extent that it drives additional sales to restaurants, absolutely it would have an economic benefit."

Uber Eats only delivers from restaurants that join its delivery service and, therefore, customers can't order from just any eatery. But the list of participating restaurants is growing, as is the number of communities served by the company.

A cursory review of Uber Eats didn't immediately find participating restaurants in communities such as Canton, Plymouth, Northville, Novi and South Lyon — but stay tuned.

In response to a question on Twitter, Uber Eats replied, "We're expanding quickly so stay tuned if your city isn't there." The company urged residents to download the Uber Eats app from the Apple or Google Play store.

Meal deliveries aren't locked into the city where the restaurant is located. That is, a resident of south Livonia could place an order from the McDonald's on Joy Road on Westland's north side.

According to Uber Eats, the allowable distance for deliveries is dependent on the availability of drivers, the customer's location and where the restaurant is located. Similar factors play into how long it takes to receive an order.

Uber Eats partners with restaurants in hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world, delivering a wide range of cuisine.

Charles House, Westland's economic development director, said the convenience of Uber Eats for residents and businesses "is another step forward for the city." He said it also brings job opportunities for Uber drivers.

"Not only is Uber Eats providing an easy way to get food from your favorite restaurants," he said, "it is also creating jobs."

Contact Darrell Clem at dclem@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CantonObserver.