Cook, Serve, Delicious!

About

"Cook, Serve, Delicious!" is a single-player Simulation game that provides a challenging cooking simulation experience, taking approximately 30 hours to beat. As the first hardcore cooking simulator, players must slice, dice, and cook their way to success, managing all aspects of a food truck business. With a variety of dishes to prepare and serve, the game offers an engaging and in-depth culinary journey. The game's description states: "The first hardcore cooking sim ever made. Slice and dice your way to the top!"

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,404 reviews

gameplay177 positive mentions

grinding94 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay that combines cooking and typing mechanics.
Variety of dishes and upgrades keeps the game fresh and interesting.
Challenging yet rewarding, with a satisfying sense of progression as you build your restaurant.

Repetitive gameplay can become tedious, especially with the grind to reach higher star ratings.
Some mechanics, like chores and robberies, can feel tedious and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
The requirement to complete 20 in-game days to level up can feel unnecessarily long.

gameplay
525 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The gameplay of "Cook, Serve, Delicious!" is characterized by its fast-paced, addictive mechanics that blend cooking with time management, requiring players to quickly prepare and serve a variety of dishes while managing restaurant operations. While the core gameplay loop is simple and easy to learn, it becomes increasingly hectic and challenging, especially during rush hours, which can lead to a rewarding sense of accomplishment. However, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive and grindy over time, particularly as they progress through the game, despite the introduction of various mechanics and challenges to keep things fresh.
- “The gameplay is incredibly tense, and you have to learn all the different details about every food in order to make sure you're putting in all your orders properly.”
- “The variety in recipes and the consistently tough but satisfying gameplay are very well balanced and it has that addicting 'just one more shift' quality that makes it hard to put down.”
- “The gameplay is fast and intense - I can't tell you how many times I've managed to mess up a perfect day with one brief mistake.”
- “The gameplay loop is incredibly repetitive and too grindy for me to want to finish the campaign.”
- “The gameplay just becomes a chore after a while; even after hours upon hours, I was only at 3 stars out of 5.”
- “The gameplay is ultra-repetitive and boring, and the graphics are meh.”
music
252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy and enjoyable soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience and keeps players engaged. Many users noted that the music is well-composed, fitting the game's atmosphere with a mix of relaxing and upbeat tracks that change according to gameplay dynamics, although some found it repetitive over long sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's charm and addictive nature.
- “The soundtrack gets stuck in your head in a good way; there's plenty of content and unlockables without feeling tedious.”
- “The music is absolutely incredible, with everything from chill lounge jazz to intense upbeat tracks during rush hour.”
- “The soundtrack is a delight for the ears, blending perfectly with the game's atmosphere and ambiance.”
- “The graphics are meh, music is annoying and the gameplay is repetitious and not fun.”
- “The music on the other hand was not to my liking: the title song with the repeated 'cook!', 'serve!', 'delicious!' in different overacted voices was almost annoying, and the repetitive background music is played in a modernistic style I did not enjoy - I switched the music off completely after a short while.”
- “The music gets repetitive.”
graphics
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, hand-drawn art style that many players find engaging and visually appealing, despite some noting that they are simplistic or reminiscent of lower-budget titles. While the visuals are generally described as cute and colorful, opinions vary, with some players appreciating the unique aesthetic and others finding it unpolished or lacking in detail. Overall, the graphics complement the gameplay well, contributing to a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, even if they aren't the most technically advanced.
- “The graphics and music make the game quite relaxing.”
- “The game's simple but addictive gameplay, combined with its charming graphics and sound design, make it an absolute joy to play.”
- “The graphics are beautifully made; while not the best, I find the art style to be soothing to see and the art style is just wow.”
- “This game has a great UI design, and yet has one of those art styles you'd see on Adult Swim that is almost intended to disgust you.”
- “Graphics are real bad, unpolished, doesn't even let you pick a resolution, no ultrawide support; controls are clunky and slow; work days are long with boring free time between one customer and the other; the whole game basically consists of memorizing the key bindings for each recipe.”
- “The graphics are a little simple and could be better, especially in earlier level restaurants though.”
humor
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and engaging nature, with players enjoying the hilarious in-game emails and funny character designs that add charm to the experience. Many reviews highlight the combination of fast-paced gameplay and comedic elements, making it both entertaining and addictive. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, providing a lighthearted atmosphere that keeps players invested and amused.
- “A fantastic upgrade to an incredibly nostalgic genre, with a surprising amount of twists and unique humor to keep you invested.”
- “There's even a bit of humor baked in there if you browse through those spammy corporate-office-park emails that any white-collar worker can relate to seeing at a boring desk job.”
- “Cook, serve, delicious is a quick-paced game, with lots of humor, great background music, and an escalation of difficulty that isn't easy, but isn't overwhelming.”
story
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
77%
5%
The game's story revolves around a simple rags-to-riches narrative where players aim to transform a struggling restaurant into a five-star establishment, primarily conveyed through charming in-game emails and event updates. While the storyline is minimal and often considered secondary to the gameplay, it adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the overall experience without overshadowing the core mechanics. Players appreciate the casual nature of the game, which allows for enjoyable gameplay even without a deep narrative, making it suitable for those seeking a fun, time-management challenge.
- “The game’s story is told through charming emails and event updates, adding a subtle layer of narrative without overshadowing the gameplay.”
- “And it’s worth mentioning that the in-game email system and little snippets of story and worldbuilding you get here and there are surprisingly well done and worth your attention.”
- “What could be considered the 'campaign mode' is full of a fun storyline, lovable humor, and consistent progression of both content and difficulty.”
- “🔵 There is no story.”
- “The story is bare bones, but is there: a restaurant that fell into disgrace and has to get back to its former glory as a 5-star restaurant.”
- “There isn't much of a story, except for the goal to constantly improve the restaurant's star rating, but you will find that the game doesn't need one since it is more or less an arcade title.”
grinding
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while the initial gameplay is enjoyable, it can become repetitive and tedious, especially in the mid to late game. Achievements and progression often require significant time investment, leading to feelings of monotony and frustration for some. However, others appreciate the challenge and variety offered, suggesting that the grind can be manageable and even rewarding if approached with the right mindset.
- “However, the grindy progression left me feeling like a snowbound hunter, endlessly chasing prey.”
- “The only complaint I have is how grindy it gets at the end, but I'm excited to play the others in the franchise!”
- “But if you want to work your way through the game properly, you’re going to be stuck doing the same thing for hours upon hours, and even the most fun simulations can get tedious if they’re not offering much new along the way.”
replayability
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
58%
10%
The game boasts high replayability, with players enjoying its addictive nature and depth through various challenges, randomized orders, and multiplayer modes. Many users appreciate the ability to specialize in different foods and pursue achievements, ensuring that the experience remains fresh even after completing the main campaign. However, some note that the limited variety of foods may lead to repetitiveness over time, slightly diminishing long-term replay value.
- “It is an addictive, easy-to-learn, hard-to-master cooking game that will be sure to keep you invested, with near infinite replayability, for those who want to be the best chefs!”
- “And then on top of that there's local co-op and multiplayer battle modes including ever-changing weekly challenges, giving this game just tons of replay value.”
- “Overall a really cool game that offers lots of variety and replayability.”
- “The few cons I have with this game are the progress and the replay value. The game doesn't have many foods, and upgrading them usually doesn't change that much about it, so there is really no sense of progression. This, combined with how long it takes to jump through enough hoops to make your restaurant better, makes it feel quite repetitive later on.”
- “I'm not sure how much replayability it has once you 'beat' the main game, but there are community challenges and other things to keep you busy as you progress.”
- “Looking back on it a year or two later, though, the replay value lies in the recipes I haven't learned yet and the yearning for a game I can throw the whole of my attention and fine motor skills into.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
63%
16%
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms, with some users reporting poor performance on Windows 10 and 8, while others praise its responsiveness even on older hardware. Overall, the game is noted for its better optimization and gameplay mechanics compared to similar titles, providing a smooth experience that effectively reflects the challenges of running a restaurant. However, there are calls for improved code streamlining and performance options to enhance compatibility with multi-core CPUs.
- “The game seems well-optimized and has a snappy response to user input even on older hardware.”
- “Tactically, you also have to decide when to start, finish, and serve various customers (and do little restaurant-maintenance tasks throughout the day) to keep everyone happy and food quality optimized.”
- “Better streamlining of the code & performance options (I don't know how the game treats 4+ core CPUs).”
- “Devs have not optimized this to run on Windows 10.”
- “Like many games created in Game Maker, this game is poorly optimized for Windows 8.”
- “Better streamlining of the code and performance options (I don't know how the game treats 4+ core CPUs).”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging blend of graphics, music, and humor, creating a charming and immersive experience. Players appreciate the classy soundtrack that complements the visuals, enhancing the overall ambiance, while the cute graphics and amusing elements contribute to a delightful atmosphere. Despite some repetitiveness, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, effectively supporting the gameplay's intensity and strategic elements.
- “The soundtrack blends well with the game's atmosphere and ambiance, providing you with a classy and jazz feel to your gameplay.”
- “On top of that, the atmosphere is sublime - the graphics are cute, and all the music and sounds fit together perfectly.”
- “It's a ton of fun and the game itself has a fantastic atmosphere; everything looks and sounds great, and there's a real sense of progression as you get deeper and deeper into the game.”
- “The atmosphere is dull and dark.”
- “The only problem with this is that it can get repetitive, but still it suits the game's atmosphere just fine.”
- “Under its comfy atmosphere is intense gameplay during the food segments, and strategy in the money and upgrades and progression in the management segments.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, from joy and nostalgia to sadness and frustration. Players appreciate the heartfelt moments, such as tributes and relatable experiences, while also noting the game's challenging nature that can lead to overwhelming emotions during intense gameplay. Overall, the combination of engaging mechanics, touching narratives, and a well-crafted soundtrack creates a deeply immersive emotional experience.
- “This wholesome cooking game has to be the best of its genre that I've ever played so far, and there's still several more of it.”
- “Oh, and you'll want to cry when it's rush hour, I promise.”
- “10/10 would cry again”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization of "Cook, Serve, Delicious" is praised for avoiding in-app purchases and microtransactions, offering a complete experience without the typical cash grab tactics seen in mobile games. Players appreciate the game's value as a full purchase on Steam, contrasting it with the often frustrating monetization strategies of similar titles on mobile platforms.
- “Cook, Serve, Delicious is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a cheap, lazy cash grab.”
- “A game that uses the best casual game mechanics, but with hardcore difficulty, with an amazing variety of content, and without any crummy monetization bullshit.”
- “It's like an addictive Facebook game, but without the restricted actions or microtransactions.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting significant glitches and unresponsive controls, while others have experienced no issues at all even after extensive gameplay. Notably, certain glitches, such as problems with specific menu items, have been highlighted by multiple players. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among users.
- “Troubleshooting online shows me that many people have the exact same problem and they can't fix it either!”
- “Not only that, but the game is riddled with glitches. Several times you'll fry something for a mere second and have it turn black and unusable; other times you'll click buttons and they simply won't work.”
- “There are a few noticeable glitches. With the coffee menu item active, trying to use the mouse to select the item does not work.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The character development in the game is praised for its originality and humor, showcasing unique and creatively designed characters that enhance the overall experience.
- “The character development is very original, showcasing unique designs that stand out.”
- “I love the funny character design; it adds a delightful touch to the overall experience.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem to follow predictable arcs, leaving little room for surprise or genuine evolution.”