Real Home Cooking.Delivered to You.
Skip cooking without settling for junk food. Discover wholesome, authentic meals made by passionate local cooks in your neighborhood. Every dish is a family recipe, every order supports your community.
Available on iOS and Android. Currently serving California.
Why Choose Abuela's
A Better Way to Experience Food
We're not just another delivery app. We're a platform that connects communities through authentic, homemade cuisine.
Discover Authentic Cuisines
Browse homemade meals from passionate local cooks. Every dish has a story — family recipes passed down through generations.
Order Directly
No corporate middlemen. Support your neighbors directly and discover flavors you won't find anywhere else.
Connect with Cooks
Chat directly with local chefs. Learn about their dishes, customize your order, and build real relationships.
Legally Permitted
All cooks are MEHKO certified under California law. Your food is prepared in inspected, approved home kitchens.
Hyperlocal
Find meals available near you. Support your immediate community while enjoying restaurant-quality homemade food.
Community Impact
Every order supports local entrepreneurs, preserves cultural traditions, and strengthens neighborhood connections.
Early Chef Guarantee
Chefs who join now get lifetime free access. Even when we eventually introduce platform fees, you will never pay them. This is our thank you for being part of the movement from the start.
Your Kitchen.
Your Business.
Your Legacy.
California MEHKO permits allow up to
$50,000 - $100,000/year
depending on your county
For Home Cooks
Turn Your Kitchen Into a Real Business
Start small, legally, and locally. Share your family's recipes with your community, build a loyal customer base, and earn money doing what you love — all from your own home.
Direct payments preferred: Abuela's does not collect or process payments. Customers pay you directly using your preferred method — cash, Venmo, Zelle, or card. Many chefs love this because it's simple and you get paid immediately.
- Keep 100% of your earnings — no platform fees, ever
- Payments go directly to you — we never touch your money
- Set your own prices, hours, and menu
- Work from your own kitchen — no commute or overhead
- Build your personal brand and loyal customer base
- Join a supportive community of home chefs
For Food Lovers
Home Cooking Without the Cooking
Tired of the same delivery apps? Discover incredible homemade meals from passionate cooks in your neighborhood. Real food, made with love, delivered to your door.
- Enjoy wholesome, authentic home-cooked meals
- Skip cooking without settling for fast food
- Discover real local cooks and unique family recipes
- Know exactly who made your food and their story
- Support people in your own community directly
- Better alternative to corporate delivery apps
Tamales
Mexican
Falafel
Middle Eastern
Lasagna
Italian
Biryani
Indian
Sample cuisines
Available variety depends on local cooks
Getting Started
How It Works
Whether you're looking to order or cook, getting started is simple.
Download the App
Get Abuela's on iOS or Android. Create your account in seconds.
Discover Local Cooks
Browse home kitchens near you. Filter by cuisine, distance, or dietary needs.
Message & Order
Chat with cooks directly, place your order, and arrange pickup or delivery.
Enjoy Real Food
Savor authentic homemade meals and build relationships with your local cooks.
Mid East Eats: Palestinian home kitchen in Watts serves food, raises funds for Gaza
Mid East Eats is the first legally permitted home kitchen in Watts, serving authentic Palestinian cuisine while raising funds for humanitarian relief in Gaza. Owner Fatima Saad operates under California's MEHKO program, turning her family recipes into a community gathering point.
Read the Full StoryAvailable in 18 California Jurisdictions
MEHKOs (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations) are legally authorized home-based food businesses with annual sales caps ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on your county. Learn about permits and regulations at mehko.org.
*Los Angeles County excludes the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon
Pricing
No Platform Fees. Direct Payments Only.
Abuela's does not collect or process payments. Customers pay cooks directly — it's simpler for everyone and chefs love getting paid immediately.
Join now and get lifetime free access. Even when we introduce platform fees in the future, early chefs will never pay them.
For Cooks
Launch your home kitchen business
Free Forever
for early chefs
Lock in lifetime free access now
- List unlimited meals
- Keep 100% of your earnings
- Set your own prices and hours
- Direct customer messaging
- Manage orders your way
- Build your own customer base
Payments go directly to you. We never process or collect any fees.
For Customers
Discover authentic homemade meals
Free
to browse & order
Support local cooks directly
- Browse all local home kitchens
- Message cooks directly
- Arrange pickup or delivery
- Save favorite kitchens
- Discover unique dishes
- Support local entrepreneurs
Pay cooks directly using their preferred payment method.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Abuela's and home kitchen operations.
Yes! The app is available on both the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices.
Browse local home kitchens, select your favorite dishes, and message the cook directly. You'll arrange pickup or delivery and pay the cook directly using their preferred payment method (cash, Venmo, Zelle, card, etc.).
You can legally operate a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) in California counties and cities that have opted into the program. Currently authorized jurisdictions include: Alameda, Amador, Contra Costa, Imperial, Lake, Los Angeles (excluding Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon), Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley. Check with your local county health department or visit mehko.org for the most current list.
Abuela's does not collect or process any payments. All payments happen directly between you and the cook using their preferred method — cash, Venmo, Zelle, card, or other mobile payment options. Many chefs prefer this because it's simple and they get paid immediately.
The sales cap varies by county, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year. Most counties allow up to $75,000-$100,000 annually. Check with your local county health department for the specific limit in your area.
The cook determines whether they offer delivery, pickup, or both. When you message a cook about your order, they'll provide specific instructions for fulfilling it.
Use our location-based search to explore home kitchens available in your area. You can filter by cuisine type, distance, and dietary preferences to find exactly what you're craving.
Yes, in California, you need a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permit to legally cook and sell meals from your home kitchen. This permit ensures compliance with local health and safety regulations. Visit mehko.help for a streamlined application process.
Abuela's is completely free — we don't charge platform fees and we don't process payments. Cooks keep 100% of their earnings. Early chefs who join now get lifetime free access, even if we introduce optional premium features in the future.
Chefs who join Abuela's during our early launch period are guaranteed to never pay platform fees. Even if we eventually introduce fees for new users, early chefs will retain free access to the platform forever. This is our way of thanking the cooks who are helping us build this community from the ground up.
Join the Home Kitchen Revolution
Whether you're ready to turn your kitchen into a business or discover incredible authentic meals from your neighbors — Abuela's is here for you. Early chefs get lifetime free access.
Available on iOS and Android. Currently serving 18 California jurisdictions.