Dallas’ Food Affordability: What DoorDash’s Report Reveals

A recent “State of Local Commerce” report from DoorDash has positioned Dallas as a national leader in food affordability, downtown recovery, and business growth. While the findings offer an optimistic outlook, a closer look suggests that the full picture of Dallas’ dynamic culinary landscape might be more complex than delivery app data alone can capture.

Unpacking DoorDash’s Optimistic Report

Authored by DoorDash’s analytics team, the report analyzed millions of transactions across restaurants, grocery stores, and retail locations in 100 U.S. cities. Key takeaways included local businesses adapting to economic shifts, a revival in downtown districts driven by return-to-office trends, and a stabilization of prices for everyday essentials. Dallas specifically earned high marks in these categories, suggesting a robust local economy.

The “Restaurant Resilience” Contradiction

One of the report’s headline claims is Dallas’ impressive restaurant resilience rate, with 93.5% of local restaurants active on the DoorDash platform in September 2024 reportedly remaining open a year later. This statistic, however, stands in stark contrast to ongoing reports from the Dallas Observer and the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) that have documented a wave of local restaurant and bar closures across the city.

The discrepancy highlights a crucial limitation: DoorDash’s data primarily reflects businesses that can afford or choose to operate on third-party delivery apps. Many local establishments, struggling with high fees, may avoid these platforms altogether, meaning their struggles or closures would not be reflected in DoorDash’s analysis. The TRA’s warning of an economic slowdown "materialized" for the industry points to a broader challenge that may not be fully visible through this specific lens.

Downtown’s Lunchtime Comeback

On a more aligned note, the report indicates a positive trend for Dallas’ downtown areas. With more than half of major U.S. cities experiencing increased return-to-office rates, Dallas ranks among the top beneficiaries. Weekday lunch orders in Dallas saw a 6.1% increase year-over-year, outpacing the national average of 2.5%. This suggests a genuine revitalization of downtown business districts, benefiting local eateries that cater to the returning workforce.

The Cheeseburger and Breakfast Metrics

To quantify affordability, DoorDash utilized two primary metrics: the cost of a classic cheeseburger meal and "breakfast basics" (three eggs, an avocado, a bagel, and a glass of milk). Dallas performed exceptionally well in these comparisons:

Dallas, along with six other Texas cities, boasted the lowest cost for breakfast basics, coming in under $5. While these specific items show clear affordability advantages, another section of the report subtly noted that price trends across 15 different categories were higher in 2025 than in 2024. This suggests that while certain staples might be cheaper, the overall cost of living and dining could still be on an upward trajectory.

Inflation and the Egg Anomaly

The White House even highlighted a snippet from the report, claiming a 14% decrease in breakfast costs over the last six months. This figure is largely influenced by the volatile price of eggs, which skyrocketed to $6.23 per dozen in March before dropping to $3.49, according to the Fed. While this brings down the cost of a three-egg breakfast, it doesn’t necessarily reflect stability or affordability across all essential items. Staples like meat and baby formula, for instance, are still trending higher. It seems Dallas’ affordability might be "less" than other high-cost areas rather than a universal decline in prices.

FAQs About Dallas’ Food Scene

• Is Dallas truly the most affordable city for food?
  According to DoorDash’s specific metrics (cheeseburger meals and breakfast basics ordered via their platform), Dallas ranks very well for affordability compared to the national average. However, the report also indicates overall price increases across many categories.
• Why are many local restaurants closing if there’s high "resilience"?
  The DoorDash report’s "resilience" data is based only on businesses active on their platform. Many local restaurants struggle with third-party app fees and may not be represented, meaning their closures would not be captured in this specific data set.
• What does "downtown recovery" mean for Dallas locals?
  It suggests a positive trend of people returning to downtown offices, leading to increased weekday lunch orders (up 6.1% year-over-year). This is good news for downtown eateries and businesses.
• How did DoorDash determine food affordability?
  They primarily used the cost of a classic cheeseburger meal and a basket of "breakfast basics" (three eggs, an avocado, a bagel, and milk) as key indicators for comparison across cities.

While the DoorDash report paints an encouraging picture of Dallas’ affordability and economic recovery, especially for specific meal items and downtown lunch crowds, it’s crucial for locals to consider the broader economic context. The city’s "changing landscapes and shifting fortunes" involve more than just data snapshots, reflecting a complex reality where some thrive while others continue to navigate challenges.

Dallas Food Affordability Tops DoorDash Report