In Strasbourg as in France, the phenomenon of “dark kitchens” continues to grow. More and more of these ghost kitchens without room service populate delivery applications, some of which are undoubtedly pushing the concept too far. Example with an address located 20A rue des Glacières, which offers no less than 18 addresses, not all impeccable given the notes.
Boosted by the health crisis 4 years ago, delivery has become a lasting part of the habits of the French, as well as those of Strasbourg. In 2022, more than one in two French people had a meal delivered during the year. The delivery turnover is estimated at 7 billion euros and this should even reach 9.2 billion in 2026.
Alongside the growth in delivery, the phenomenon of “dark kitchens” has also taken root on Uberized delivery platforms. There are nearly 1,500 ghost kitchens on the platforms according to the latest available figures, probably very underestimated. We already told you about their establishment in Strasbourg two and a half years ago.
But inevitably, with the growth of online delivery and the economic prospects offered by dark kitchens (fewer costs, simplified management, possibility of offering a wide range of products and concepts at the same time, etc.), excesses and abuses are starting to flourish on delivery applications. And while well-known ones have established themselves in the landscape (Taster, those of Deliveroo), others flourish in the shadows.
In Strasbourg, there is undoubtedly no better example than the unique mini-market at 20A rue des Glacières, in the Petite France district, ironically located opposite the Haras, the flagship of Alsatian gastronomy.. Every day, you could pass by the supermarket without noticing it, and without ever imagining that it contains at least 18 restaurants.
20A rue des Glacières: a unique supermarket, for 18 restaurant concepts on apps!
Mooli Japan Kitchen, Tata Chick, Smashy Pita, Wings Box, Chichiko, Clasico Argentino Empanadas Express or JFK Burgers… It is likely that you have already seen these addresses on an app. The photos are always the same, with a close-up of the products, either taken from the front or taken from above. They always offer the same offer to catch the eye: 1 product purchased = 1 free. And generally, puns on the names of their products, with Orgasmeat winning the prize for bad taste on the subject.
The unique supermarket at 20A rue des Glacières offers smash burgers, tacos, empanadas, chicken wings, Japanese cuisine and classic burgers.. Everything, always cooked in the same place. A true culinary world tour, never leaving Petite France. Even if on this subject, talking about culinary would perhaps be presumptuous.
Car the real concern remains in the quality of the products offered. If we rely on the ratings on the apps, they are almost all clear: if Bopy Burgers or Fat Smash are doing relatively well with 4.3 and 4.2 [sachant que généralement, on peut enlever quelques dixièmes à une note sur les applis par rapport à Google, ndlr], 13 addresses have 4 stars or less, thus grabbing the first places of the lowest rated restaurants in Strasbourg. Enough to put off the strongest stomachs, which even survived the Morfal fire.
There also does not seem to be any real moderation efforts by Uberized platforms on the issue. Addresses with catastrophic ratings continue to be highlighted because they offer offers such as 1 product purchased = 1 free. And it is never indicated that the restaurant from which you can order is, or not, a dark kitchen.
How can you tell if the restaurant you are ordering from is a dark kitchen?
Because if the address of 20A rue des Glacières is symbolic of the drift of the phenomenon of dark kitchens, it is obviously not the only one in Strasbourg. So how do you know if you are dealing with a dark kitchen?
To be sure not to be fooled, when you arrive on a restaurant page, always click on the “Information” tab. You will then see the address and you can go to the map. This will already give you a first clue to know if the name of the restaurant also exists in physical form, and not just on Uberized apps.
Over time, you will also begin to recognize the same addresses several times, such as 20A rue des Glacières, but also 101 route de la Wantzenau or 5 place du Vieux-Marché-aux-Vins. Because it's always good to know where we're sending our money, especially to avoid stomach aches a few minutes later.
While the rise of dark kitchens is not about to stop, this multiplicity of offers carries some risks. Already for consumers, given the quality of the products generally distributed, but also for the good players on the platforms, made less visible. A danger for their economic model but also for consumer confidence in delivery. And in finea risk for delivery platforms, which could take the problem more seriously rather than letting entities use flashy marketing to deceive their customers.
