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The Most Creative Curbside Family Meals in Minneapolis

From D.I.Y. pizza kits to take-and-bake dinners

Of all the imaginative ways that local restaurants are responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the most sensible for anxious consumers and strained businesses alike has been the trend toward ready-made meals to go. This includes both generous combo packs and effortless heat-and-eat kits.

We recently called in an order for a delicious chicken parmigiana spread from the Minneapolis outpost of Mucci’s Italian. Priced to move at $30 for two people (or $45 for extra chicken), the family-style meal came with a large house salad with pepperoncini, and a bright vinaigrette; a duo of salt-crusted, rosemary-flecked focaccia rolls; a tangle of of homemade pasta tossed in marinara sauce; and big enough portions of the crispy, cheesy main event to make dessert feel like an overkill. (That said, we’re kicking ourselves for not ordering tiramisu for later — or a frozen pizza or frozen lasagne for the recession-friendly prices of $10 and $15, respectively.) Special shout-out to owner Tim Niver and his superstar team for running such a tight ship under this COVID-crazy duress. They embody hospitality at its best.

Here is a roundup of other curbside suppers peaking on our radar:

  • Wrecktangle Pizza at North Loop Galley is selling everything you need to make pizza at home (fresh dough ball, cheese, sauce, and pepperoni) for $12. Order online or call 612-695-6525.
  • Grand Cafe and Eastside are offering a daily-changing $30 Take-and-Bake meal. Today’s was pork shoulder with braised collard greens, sweet corn pudding, and buttermilk biscuits; a previous lineup included stick-to-your-ribs beef stew with bread, plus breakfast muffins for the following day. New meals are announced each morning and may be ordered online. Pick-ups are in 15-minute blocks from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Tenant has a $15 soup-and-“fancy” bread special for two; the rotating options include chicken wild rice, chicken gnocchi, beer cheese potato, pork and beans, roasted cauliflower, and roasted mushroom with kale (“GF/DF/Vegan – also still good” reads the menu, lol). Call or text 612-827-8111 to order.
  • Apoy has a step-by-step D.I.Y. kamayan feast to go for $20 per person. The traditional Filipino spread includes seafood, meat, rice, and grilled vegetables. (Sorry, karaoke not included.) Call 612-824-4719 to order; 24-hour advance noticed required.
  • Centro at Popol Vuh is now selling family-style meals, including a taco pack for four with a pound of protein (your choice of chorizo, tinga, or cachetes), plus rice, beans, and tortillas for $25. Enchiladas for four with avocado, romaine, crema, and queso costs $40 for four to five people. Order online or call 612-345-5527.
  • Kieran’s Kitchen Northeast at the Food Building is putting together hearty meal packages for two to four people to be heated up at home. Recent combos include citrus-glazed pork belly with Tamari barley, turnips, and slaw ($42) and braised chicken with black beans and cabbage salad ($36). Order online or call 612-354-5093.
  • Newcomer Mary Ellen’s Bistro is doing a $20 brunch-ready go bag with roasted potatoes, fresh-baked blueberry muffins, and bacon-cheddar-and-green onion quiche, orderable online.

Because the whole damn world is in flux right now, hours may vary. Please call ahead to confirm before setting out, and let us know about other takeout options on Instagram or Facebook.