Before the Internet, restaurants could only accept takeout orders via now defunct devices such as landline telephones, carrier pigeons, and hand-cranked wig powderers. Enjoy modern meal convenience with today's Groupon: for $5, you get $10 worth of restaurant delivery or takeout from Mealeo.com.

Founded by two Albany locals, Mealeo.com allows diners to make delivery, takeout, or catering orders from more than 200 capital-region restaurants through a simple online ordering process. Have a summer roll ($7.95) or a chicken with broccoli combo from Ichiban ($7.50) delivered straight to your door or spaceship portal, and skip the line to pick up a rollin' ranch pizza from Inferno ($14.09). The site boasts detailed, up-to-date menus for all the eateries it serves, and users can add special requests to their orders, finally making it possible to indulge in noodle-free mac 'n' cheese or an omelet made from the eggs of chickens with x-ray vision.