Cook Unity Review

Friday, July 18th

2025 Mediterranean Meal Delivery Reviews

Cook Unity

• Price per serving: Starts at $11.09
• Shipment frequency: Weekly
• Daily meals: Allegedly all 3; we only found entrees
• Calories per meal: 400-1,300
• Number of recipes: Unknown
• Prep time: A few minutes

Ever wondered about those meal delivery services that promise restaurant-quality food right at your doorstep? Cook Unity aims to be just that. Starting in 2015 in a small Brooklyn kitchen, it has expanded to multiple cities, boasting a team of over 600 with more than 80 chefs. Their unique selling point? Offering dishes crafted by chefs who are supposedly unbound by the limitations of traditional restaurants. This sounds good, but let's explore further to see if Cook Unity lives up to its promise.

30% off your first order

Cook Unity entices new customers with a 30% savings on the first order. It's a decent offer, though not particularly groundbreaking in the competitive world of meal delivery services. It's a nice little nudge to try their service, but will it be enough to win over long-term customers? You decide.

Save by ordering more

Let's jump right into the dollars and cents. Cook Unity offers different plans to meet individual or family needs, with options available for 6 to 16 meals per week. The pricing is fairly straightforward - for example, 8 meals per week come to $11.69 per serving, while 16 meals are slightly cheaper at $11.09 per serving. The flexibility to add, pause, or skip deliveries is a plus, giving customers some control over their meal plans. However, to view the full menu, you need to sign up, which is limiting if you're just curious about the current offerings. Alternatively, you can check out their sample menu, although there is no guarantee that those are the current available meals. If you're adventurous (or indecisive), you also have the option to let Cook Unity select your weekly Mediterranean meals based on your preferences.

Hard to find Mediterranean meals

When it comes to filtering options, it appears Cook Unity rolls out the red carpet for Keto and Paleo dieters. However, if you're a fan of the Mediterranean diet, you might feel a bit left adrift. Despite their promotion of Mediterranean meals, there's no specific filter for this category. It's like being promised a Mediterranean cruise and then finding out the ship doesn't exist - and you have to paddle the route in your own canoe (BYOC?). We did manage to locate four Mediterranean-style dishes, which include the Charred Spanish Octopus and the Skirt Steak with Herbed Mushrooms and Cauliflower Mash. These sound delightful, but without a dedicated filter or clear labeling, it's like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Dessert and breakfast section is missing

Another twist in the Cook Unity menu saga is the promise of breakfast, snacks, and desserts. Who wouldn't like a little sweet treat or a hearty breakfast from a chef-prepared menu? But here's the rub - these categories seem to be playing hide and seek too, as we couldn't actually find them on the menu. It's a bit puzzling and could be a letdown if you were looking forward to a complete meal plan experience.

We don't know if meals can be frozen

We appreciate Cook Unity's commitment to natural preservation, avoiding artificial or chemical additives. However, this approach does mean a shorter shelf life of about 4-7 days. Each meal comes with a "use by" date, helping you manage your meal schedule effectively. Cook Unity meals can be heated up in the microwave or on the stove. But, there's a missing piece in this puzzle - they don't mention the feasibility of freezing meals. This oversight might leave you wondering what to do if you can't consume the meals within the stipulated time.

They don't tell us much about where they get their ingredients

A significant concern we've noted is the lack of transparency regarding where Cook Unity sources its ingredients. This omission is a red flag for those who prioritize the origin and quality of their food. Knowing the source of ingredients is not just about quality but also about understanding the environmental and ethical impact of our food choices.

Dishes are cooked inconsistently

In our review of Cook Unity, we encountered different customer opinions regarding their meal quality. On one hand, some customers were delighted with the unique flavors and convenience of dishes like the Mediterranean Falafel with Hummus Bowl, praising the unexpectedly complicated flavors. On the other hand, concerns were raised about certain meals, like a soggy kale salad and overly oily pesto with high calories, which makes it seem like Cook Unity suffers from a lack of consistency in preparation and quality. Texture issues with meat dishes and overly salty flavors in some recipes further underscore this impression.

Eco friendly

Cook Unity is trying to do their part for the planet with their packaging. The insulated tote bags they use are not just recyclable, but you can also send them back or find another use for them. The boxes and liners are also recycle-friendly, made with materials like corrugated cardboard, paper, and cornstarch. And if you've ever wondered what to do with those gel ice packs in a limited freezer space, Cook Unity will let you return them. Meal trays and sleeves are also eco-conscious choices, compostable and recyclable. As for the food containers, whether you rinse and reuse them or toss them in the recycling bin depends on their color - white lids are a go, but check your local recycling rules for the black-lidded ones. Sauce containers? Clean 'em up and reuse or recycle as you please. It's clear Cook Unity is thinking about the environment at every step of their packaging and delivery process.

Hard to get out of your plan

Let's talk about what happens when you need to cancel your Cook Unity subscription. Officially, it's a piece of cake - just a few clicks under "My Plan” in your account, and you're done. But, as some customers have shared, it's not always smooth sailing. One person tried to skip an order and got charged anyway, with a bit of a runaround when they tried to get it taken care of. Another customer felt downright scammed when they were charged for a meal they didn't pick and couldn't cancel it in time. Then, there's the story of meals that kept coming even after cancellation - talk about an unwanted surprise. And it's particularly tough when you're on a tight budget, like the 92-year-old woman who canceled but still got meals she couldn't eat or afford. This is an unfortunately common tale when it comes to meal delivery services, and we're disappointed (but not surprised) that Cook Unity fails to break the mold.

Choose someone else

If you've gotten this far, what we're about to say next won't shock you: Cook Unity might not be your best bet, especially if you're looking for Mediterranean options. Finding the Mediterranean meals on the menu is nearly impossible - you're essentially going in blind without a clear idea of what's on offer. Plus, they don't exactly sweeten the deal with competitive prices or attractive discounts. Why settle for uncertainty and lack of perks? It's a wiser choice to go for a top-rated service where you know exactly what you're getting and perhaps save some bucks or enjoy better deals. Remember, when it comes to meal services, clarity and value are key.