You ordered that pad thai twice. You hated it twice. The delivery app doesn't care — it just wants you to reorder.

Here's the fix: a private takeout log that lives on your own machine. No app tracking your cravings. No "recommended for you" nudging you toward the same sad noodles.

Why not just use the app's history?

The app remembers what you ordered. It doesn't remember that the burger was cold, the portion was tiny, or that you swore never again. It also mines that history to profile you — time of day, spending, mood patterns. A self-hosted log keeps the useful part and drops the surveillance.

What you'll build

A simple table you check before every order:

  • Restaurant name
  • Dish ordered
  • Rating (1–5)
  • One-line note ("too salty," "huge portion," "order again")
  • Price
  • Date

That's it. Small, but it saves money and regret.

Step 1: Pick a lightweight tool

You don't need a database server. Use NocoDB — it turns a plain spreadsheet into a friendly app you run yourself. It runs in one Docker command.

docker run -d --name nocodb \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  -v nocodb_data:/usr/app/data \
  nocodb/nocodb:latest

Open http://your-server-ip:8080 in a browser. Create your account. Done — no cloud sign-up.

Step 2: Make the table

Inside NocoDB, create a new base called "Takeout Log." Add these columns:

  • Restaurant (text)
  • Dish (text)
  • Rating (number or star field)
  • Notes (long text)
  • Price (currency)
  • Date (date)

NocoDB gives you sorting and filtering for free. Sort by rating to see your all-time winners instantly.

Step 3: Log right after you eat

The trick is timing. Log the meal while the taste is fresh, not next month when you've forgotten. Keep the page bookmarked on your phone. Ten seconds after the last bite: rate it, note it, close it.

Step 4: Create a 'Never Again' view

Add a filtered view showing only ratings of 1 or 2. Name it "Never Again." Glance at it before ordering. That's your personal blocklist — the app will never build this for you because bad reviews don't drive repeat sales.

Step 5: Keep it private

Don't expose this to the internet unless you need to. Access it over your home Wi-Fi, or reach it remotely with a VPN like Tailscale. No open ports, no leaks. Your cravings stay yours.

The payoff

After a month you'll have a ranked map of your neighborhood's food — honest, unfiltered, and owned by you. You'll reorder the gems and dodge the duds. And the delivery app loses one more window into your life.

Do this now: run the Docker command, make the table, and log your last takeout from memory. Your future self, mid-craving at 9pm, will thank you.