Every maker on Makinson Street is verified against the home-food law where they live. Where their state issues a permit or registration, we check it during onboarding — the number, the document, and that it matches their kitchen's address. Where the law works by self-certification instead (food-freedom states), the maker signs the statements the law requires and we keep that record. Either way you can see their credential on their profile, every listing declares its allergens, and makers hold the food safety training their state requires.

Home cooks operate under state-specific programs designed to ensure food safety. In California, this includes MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations) permits and Cottage Food permits. Other states have similar programs like Food Freedom Acts and home kitchen licenses. To get permitted, makers typically must pass a kitchen inspection, complete food safety training, and register with their local health department. These programs ensure home-cooked food meets safety standards while making it legal for talented makers to run small food businesses.

Browse makers near you, explore their menus, and add meals to your cart. Select a pickup time that works for you, then check out securely through Stripe. Your card is saved, not charged: the maker confirms your order, at the latest 2 hours before pickup, and it's charged only then. You'll get a message the moment they do, with pickup details. If they don't confirm in time, the order is cancelled and you pay nothing, with time to make other plans. On pickup day, head to the maker's location at the scheduled time and enjoy your fresh, home-cooked meal!

Some makers only cook for their neighbors or for people they know. Their kitchens carry a Restricted badge, and their page says who they take orders from. If you're outside their area or not on their list, tap Request an invite and we'll let you know if they add you. If a maker has added you but you still can't order, check that your email address is verified. Makers who sell by distance go by the home address saved in your profile, so make sure it's there and up to date.

Yes, any time until the maker confirms it, at no cost: open the order and choose Cancel Order, or cancel just one dish if the rest still works for you. Your card isn't charged until the maker confirms, so there's nothing to refund. Once they've confirmed, the maker has planned and shopped for you, so message them through the order if something changes.

Yes! Message a maker directly through the platform before you order to ask about ingredients or discuss modifications. Every listing also shows its ingredients and allergens, and you can filter meals by diet.

Contact us within 24 hours of your scheduled pickup at support@makinsonstreet.com. We take all concerns seriously and will work with you and the maker to resolve the issue. You can also leave a review to share your experience.

Every meal on Makinson Street includes allergen information for the FDA top 9 allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame). Makers declare allergens when creating their listings, and our AI system suggests additional allergens based on ingredients for extra safety. Always review allergen information before ordering if you have allergies.

Currently, Makinson Street operates on a pickup model — you pick up your meals directly from the maker. This keeps costs low and ensures food quality. Delivery options are coming soon!

Contact your local county or state health department to apply. The type of permit depends on your state — in California, most home cooks apply for a MEHKO or Cottage Food permit. Here are links for our current service areas:

The process typically involves a kitchen inspection, food handler certification, and an application fee. We're happy to help guide you through it.

You set your own prices! Many makers on Makinson Street earn $500–$2,000+ per month cooking part-time. Accept payment in person and keep 100%, or take card payments in the app for a 3% platform fee plus standard card processing. Depending on your permit type, you may be able to sell up to 30 meals per week or earn up to $75,000 per year. Your schedule is completely flexible — cook as much or as little as you want.

It depends on where your kitchen is. Most states issue a permit or registration (California's MEHKO, cottage food registrations, state home-kitchen licences) and usually ask for a food safety certificate alongside it. Food-freedom states don't issue a permit at all — you sign the statements the law requires instead. Our application asks only for what your state requires, and tells you exactly which credential that is.

Payments are processed through Stripe Connect. When you sign up, you'll connect your Stripe account and link your bank account. A customer's card is charged when you confirm their order, and your earnings are transferred to your bank on a rolling basis. You can track all your earnings in your kitchen dashboard.

As soon as you can. Every order waits in your Orders tab until you confirm it; if you can't make one of the dishes, cancel just that dish from the order first. Until you confirm, the customer can cancel at no cost, so confirming is what secures the order. For card orders, confirming is also when the customer's card is charged. The latest you can confirm is 2 hours before pickup; the exact time is on the order, and we remind you an hour before it. An order that isn't confirmed by then is cancelled, its plates go back on sale, and the customer isn't charged, so they still have time to make other plans.

Orders paid in person are completely free: Makinson Street takes no commission on them at all. Card payments made through the app carry a 3% commission, plus Stripe's standard processing fee. There are no listing fees and no subscription.

Absolutely! For each dish you choose the dates and times customers can pick it up and how many orders you can take, and you can repeat a pickup window weekly to plan the coming weeks. Use vacation mode when you need time off: it hides all your dishes until you switch it back off. Everything you have coming up is under Schedule in your kitchen.

Yes. Under Access Control in your profile, choose Open to all, so anyone can order, or Restricted. A restricted kitchen takes orders only from neighbors whose home address is within a distance you set from your kitchen (anywhere from half a mile to 25 miles), from people on your list, or both. You add people to your list by email, or approve customers who ask for an invite. Everyone can still see your menu, which shows a Restricted badge, and you can switch back to open at any time.

Makinson Street is available anywhere home cooks are active. Set your location to discover meals near you.

Yes! Many states have laws that explicitly allow home cooks to sell food from their kitchens with proper permits. In California, this includes MEHKO (AB 626) and cottage food laws. Other states have similar programs. Makinson Street only works with makers who hold valid permits, ensuring full legal compliance in every state we operate. Read the full California guide →

Makinson Street connects you with home cooks, not restaurants. Every maker is your neighbor — someone in your community sharing food they love to make. You'll discover authentic, cultural recipes you can't find elsewhere, learn the story behind every maker, and support your local community directly. It's personal, local, and community-driven.

Food safety is our top priority. Use our contact form and select "Food Safety Concern" as the subject. We prioritize all food safety reports and will investigate promptly. You can also email us directly at support@makinsonstreet.com.