San Jose is buzzing with excitement, as DoorDash opens a virtual food hall in the city, marking a bold step in the evolution of the food and restaurant industry. The food hall, which is strategically located at The Plant Shopping Center, boasts a variety of 10 local, regional, and national restaurants, creating an unparalleled choice for the city's food enthusiasts, according to Mercury News.
This innovative virtual food hall has its roots in DoorDash’s 2021 similar popup, but the new, permanent location brings an upgraded experience. A key distinction with the current virtual food hall is that it offers dine-in options and ordering in-person. Customers can place orders through the DoorDash app or via kiosks or QR codes inside the establishment. Furthermore, the virtual food hall will be operational from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring maximum convenience for its patrons, as reported by Restaurant Business Online.
The concept has evolved from the delivery-only ghost kitchens that sprouted during the pandemic, providing an omnichannel experience to its visitors. Participating restaurants include Aria Korean Street Food, Ivan’s Chicken Shokudo, Koi Palace, Little Spoon, Nekter Juice Bar, Plentiful, Sweet Street, and The Melt. The lineup also features Academic Coffee (in-store only), while Milk Bar and frozen Greek yogurt from San Francisco’s Souvla will be introduced soon, as Restaurant Dive states.
The main goal of this venture by DoorDash is to help restaurants grow their businesses by offering these innovative solutions. Ashlee Tran, DoorDash’s head of new restaurant models, stated, "We’re eager to continue partnering with restaurants to help them grow their business in an innovative way, while connecting customers with dining options they might not otherwise have been able to enjoy." With an array of food choices and a groundbreaking approach to dining, the virtual food hall is anticipated to give San Jose a fresh dining experience, making it the talk of the town.
San Jose's virtual food hall is DoorDash's fourth location, with existing centers in Hollywood, the Bay Area, and Brooklyn. From delivery-only ghost kitchens to this full-service version, DoorDash ventures to revolutionize the food service industry one city at a time.
