On this page
Most CaterCow orders start from a package, a set menu that’s priced per person. Some restaurants also let you order a la carte: you pick each dish and how many you want from their full menu. The video above walks through the whole flow, or follow the steps below.
Each restaurant sets a food subtotal minimum, and your food needs to reach it before you can place your order. The delivery fee, service fee, tax, and tip don’t count toward it.
Place an a la carte order
1. On the restaurant’s page, click A La Carte Ordering near the top. It takes you to the A La Carte section, where you can browse every dish on their menu. You’ll only see it for restaurants that offer a la carte ordering.
2. Click Order A La Carte. In the Order Details window, enter your delivery address, date, time, and headcount. If the restaurant offers pickup, you can also choose the Delivery Method. The window shows the restaurant’s food subtotal minimum. Your food needs to add up to at least that much before you can place your order. Then click Checkout.
3. Your order opens in checkout, with the restaurant’s full menu at the top. Use the category tabs to jump around the menu, and click any dish to add it.
4. Set the quantity, make any choices the dish asks for (like a flavor), and click Add to Cart. Repeat for each dish you want. Your cart on the right updates as you go.
5. Under Delivery Info, add a company name, a contact name, and a mobile number. Then check your payment method under Payment and click Place Order.
6. Your order is placed. It shows as Pending until the restaurant confirms it.
If the restaurant has one location
Some restaurant pages look a little different. On those, scroll to the restaurant’s menu and click Order Now, or click any dish. Enter your order details and click Continue. If the restaurant also offers packages, choose A La Carte Menu. If you’re asked who’s choosing the meals, choose Standard Order. Checkout then works the same as steps 3 to 6 above.
Minimums, utensils, and other options
- Meet the restaurant’s food minimum. The minimum can differ for delivery to your area and for pickup. If your food subtotal is under it, add more food before you place your order. See how much notice you need to order for other checks we run when you place an order.
- Utensils come from the restaurant. There’s no package to set them, so utensil options come from the restaurant. If the restaurant offers place settings or serving utensils, you’ll see them at checkout under your menu. See are utensils included?
- Group orders, if the restaurant allows them. If the restaurant allows it, you’ll see a Group Order button next to Order A La Carte. It sets up a group order, so each person picks their own meal. See package polls vs. full menu group orders.
- Already checking out a package? For some buffet-style packages, checkout offers to switch you to an a la carte order. Choose Copy Existing Menu Items to bring your current dishes along, or Start a New Order to begin fresh. The new order opens in a new tab, so you keep your package cart.
- Pickup. If you’d rather pick the food up yourself, see how pickup works.
- Changes after you order. See how to modify an order you’ve placed.