Amazon Prime Now customers in the Windy City now have an added bonus of the gourmandizing variety: the e-commerce company announced that it is bringing its food-delivery service to Chicago, letting users order delivery from favorite local restaurants — orders that can be tracked in real time.

Much like competitor apps GrubHub and Seamless, users can browse menu options from their phones, select items, and check them out via smartphone. The orders are then transported by Amazon deliverypeople to 18 respective ZIP codes in the metropolis. 

"Chicago is home to just about every kind of cuisine you could want," said Amazon Restaurants general manager Gus Lopez. "We're excited to offer Amazon Prime customers a quick and convenient way to enjoy some of the city's best restaurants without having to fight traffic or brave the cold." 

Restaurants featured in the delivery lineup include Balena, Big Bowl, Big Star, Chicago q, M Burger, RPM Italian, Wildfire, and the grocer Plum Market. Prime Now already offered grocery delivery from Plum Market, My Fit Foods and Sprinkles Cupcakes.

The app might prove to be a gamechanger for a number of Chicago business, many of which had no delivery service option available before. After an order is made, Amazon delivery drivers pick up and deliver the food within an hour or less. The company said average delivery time since introducing restaurant delivery on Prime Now is 39 minutes.

"We are looking forward to working with Amazon because, like us, they stand for flawless service and incredible value," said Kimberly Galban, a member of a management group that caters to some of the listed venues. "We are thrilled to partner with Amazon in what will likely change the restaurant-delivery market in Chicago." 

Would-be customers can learn if restaurant delivery is available in their area by downloading the Prime Now app or visiting amazon.com/primenow and entering their ZIP code. In areas where restaurant delivery is available, customers will see Restaurants on the home page.

While it's most likely that the app will roll out in other major American cities if it proves to be successful, there is no word yet as to a definitive timeline.

Via: PHX Corporate

Photo: Roman Boed | Flickr