Customer Reviews (110)

Beeelynne • 2025-03-26T21:34:32-07:00

I am so disappointed, I just discovered the sorted crew on YouTube and immediately wanted to download the app. After answering the initial first questions, the app freezes and doesn’t continue. I’ve tried deleting it and redownloading, but no luck. Maybe I’ll try again later.

jamesmommy1213 • 2025-03-17T20:29:20-07:00

I love this app. Like others I use it almost weekly. It has really helped me make sure I have fresh healthy meals that I can put together pretty quickly after work. My husband takes the leftovers for lunch. It really works to ensure we’re not throwing perfectly good food away

Emiee29 • 2025-03-03T19:57:07-07:00

This is the meal planning tool I’ve always wanted! I love to cook new and different food all the time but I’d buy specialty items that were expensive and I’d never use them again. It resulted it wasted food and money. But sidekick is amazing! I really appreciate the focus on sustainable practices and reducing food waste. The app is straight forward and super easy to use. It’s so nice getting to jump back and forth between the full recipe and audible step by step directions with pictures. Additionally, the meal packs feature takes the stress out of planning your weekly grocery shopping and meal prep. And if all that isn’t enough, the food is delicious! I am in love with this app and am really happy to support a team of people who are making such a positive impact. I highly recommend this app for anyone and everyone!

Summary of Key Insights

The Sidekick by Sorted Food app is generally well-received, with users praising its ability to simplify meal planning, reduce food waste, and introduce new recipes. The "Smarter Recipe Packs" are a major selling point. However, some users, particularly those in the US, encounter challenges with ingredient availability and measurement conversions. Recent updates have introduced bugs and usability issues for some, negatively impacting their experience. The app's core value proposition – making cooking easier and more sustainable – resonates strongly with users.

Key Strengths:

  • Effective meal planning and grocery list generation.
  • Reduction of food waste.
  • Introduction to new and diverse recipes.
  • Easy-to-follow instructions, including audio guides.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Ingredient availability issues, especially for US users.
  • Recent updates causing bugs and usability problems.
  • Lack of advanced filtering options (allergens, dietary restrictions).
  • Inconsistent experience across different devices (phone vs. tablet).

Overall Sentiment: Positive, with a significant number of users expressing high satisfaction. However, recent issues have tempered the positive sentiment for some.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Approximated at 4.3 stars based on the review breakdown.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 58.2% (64/110)
    • 4-star: 15.5% (17/110)
    • 3-star: 7.3% (8/110)
    • 2-star: 9.1% (10/110)
    • 1-star: 10% (11/110)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 110 reviews.
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but likely covers a significant period given the version number (2.26.5) and mentions of updates over several years.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment analysis (manual assessment based on review text).
    • Keyword extraction (identifying frequently used words and phrases).
    • Thematic analysis (grouping reviews based on common topics and sentiments).

Key User Pain Points

  • Ingredient Availability (Especially in the US): Many US users struggle to find specific ingredients called for in the recipes, requiring substitutions or trips to multiple stores. This undermines the convenience factor.
  • Recent Update Issues: Several reviews mention bugs and usability problems introduced by recent updates, including issues with the meal planning calendar, navigation, and app freezing.
  • Lack of Dietary Filters: Users with allergies or specific dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance, gluten-free) find it difficult to filter recipes effectively.
  • Scaling for Different Household Sizes: The app is primarily designed for two people, making it inconvenient for larger families who need to manually adjust quantities.
  • Inconsistent UI Across Devices: Some users reported the app not fitting their screen properly on smaller phones or the lack of a horizontal/tablet layout.
  • Calendar Functionality Issues: Some users report that the calendar does not go back more than a week and is difficult to use.
  • Push Notification Annoyance: The app repeatedly asks for permission to send push notifications, even after the user declines.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Advanced Filtering: Specifically, the ability to filter by allergens, dietary restrictions (low carb, keto, etc.), and nutritional information (calorie count).
  • Custom Meal Packs: The option to create custom meal packs by selecting individual recipes.
  • Scaling for Different Serving Sizes: An easier way to adjust recipes for more than two people.
  • Nutritional Information: Calorie counts and other nutritional data for each recipe.
  • Favorite Recipes: The ability to save or "favorite" individual recipes for easy access.
  • iPad/Tablet Optimization: A dedicated layout for tablets and horizontal screen orientations.
  • Option to Disable Timers: The ability to disable the automatic timers within the recipes.
  • Single Person Meal Options: Meal options designed for a single person.
  • Ability to comment on recipes: A way to make suggestions or fixes to recipes.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Meal Planning Simplification: Users consistently praise the app for making meal planning easier and less stressful.
  • Food Waste Reduction: The "Smarter Recipe Packs" effectively reduce food waste by utilizing shared ingredients across multiple meals.
  • Diverse and Interesting Recipes: The app introduces users to new cuisines and flavor combinations.
  • Easy-to-Follow Instructions: The step-by-step instructions, including audio guides and timers, make cooking accessible to users of all skill levels.
  • Grocery List Generation: The automatic grocery list feature saves time and ensures users buy only what they need.
  • Value for Money: Many users feel the subscription is worth the cost, especially compared to meal kit delivery services.
  • Exposure to New Cooking Techniques: Users report learning new cooking techniques and hacks.
  • Customer Service Responsiveness: Some users mentioned positive experiences with customer support.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Recent Update Bugs: Immediately fix the bugs and usability issues introduced by recent updates, particularly those affecting the meal planning calendar and navigation. (Impacts core functionality)
  • Improve Ingredient Availability for US Users: Partner with US-based chefs or food experts to create recipe packs that utilize readily available ingredients in the US. (Addresses a major source of frustration)
  • Implement Dietary Filters: Add advanced filtering options for allergens, dietary restrictions, and nutritional information. (Opens the app to a wider audience)

Medium Priority:

  • Optimize UI for Different Devices: Ensure the app displays correctly on all screen sizes and orientations, including tablets. (Improves user experience)
  • Implement Custom Meal Packs: Allow users to create custom meal packs by selecting individual recipes. (Adds flexibility and personalization)
  • Improve Scaling for Different Serving Sizes: Provide an easier way to adjust recipe quantities for different household sizes. (Increases usability for families)
  • Reduce Push Notification Frequency: Stop repeatedly asking for push notification permissions after the user has declined. (Reduces annoyance)

Low Priority:

  • Add Option to Disable Timers: Allow users to disable the automatic timers within recipes. (Caters to individual preferences)
  • Add Single Person Meal Options: Include meal options designed for a single person. (Expands the app's appeal)
  • Add comment section to recipes: Add the ability to make suggestions or fixes to recipes. (Improves community engagement and recipe accuracy)

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyper-Localized Recipe Packs: A service that generates meal plans based on ingredients available at specific local grocery stores.
  • AI-Powered Ingredient Substitution: An AI tool within the app that suggests ingredient substitutions based on user preferences, dietary restrictions, and local availability.
  • Interactive Cooking Community: A platform where users can share their own recipes, variations, and cooking tips related to the app's recipes.
  • Meal Planning for Picky Eaters: A service that focuses on creating meal plans that cater to picky eaters while still providing balanced nutrition.
  • Recipe Pack Marketplace: Allow users to create and sell their own recipe packs within the app, creating a community-driven content ecosystem.

Trends and Observations

  • US User Challenges: A significant number of US users report difficulties finding ingredients and converting measurements, indicating a need for localization efforts.
  • Impact of Updates: Recent updates have had a noticeable impact on user sentiment, with several users expressing frustration over new bugs and usability issues.
  • Desire for Personalization: Users are increasingly seeking personalized experiences, such as custom meal packs and advanced filtering options.
  • Emphasis on Convenience: The app's success is largely driven by its ability to simplify meal planning and reduce the mental load associated with cooking.

Conclusion

Sidekick by Sorted Food is a valuable tool for simplifying meal planning, reducing food waste, and expanding culinary horizons. However, the app's recent issues and limitations, particularly for US users and those with dietary restrictions, need to be addressed. By prioritizing bug fixes, improving ingredient availability, and adding advanced filtering options, Sorted Food can further enhance the user experience and solidify Sidekick's position as a leading meal planning app. A strong focus on addressing user feedback and continuously improving the app's functionality is crucial for long-term success.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sidekick-by-sorted-food/id1472765520?uo=2