The Commercial Appeal - Go Memphis
What to expect from 5 ‘family meal’ options
Thinking of ordering “family meal” takeout or delivery from a Memphis restaurant? You are in for a treat.
Restaurants across Memphis are stepping up to the plate and offering delicious takeout meals geared toward feeding a family. Even fine dining establishments now have family meals on the menu. Most family meals are geared toward feeding a family of four.
I tried the family meals from five Memphis restaurants last week. Here’s what to expect when you order.
Coastal Fish Company
Coastal Fish Company is offering a daily three-course family meal special. The menus, which change daily, include a salad, an entree with sides and a dessert.
On the night we ordered, we had Blackened Louisiana Redfish over Seafood Jambalaya with Fried Okra. A lovely salad with fresh blueberries and a warm chocolate cake were included in the meal.
Each portion came individually packaged, with extra touches like a thyme sprig garnish on the fish and a bag of chocolate mints with a thank-you note attached. Co-owner Russ Graham had told me he was trying his best to replicate the same level of service his customers expect at his restaurants, and from our experience, he succeeded.
You order by the person, and prices vary by night. Our dinner was $26 per person. Coastal Fish Company’s sister restaurants — Flight Restaurant & Wine Bar, Southern Social and Porch & Parlor — are offering similar family meal menus. All four restaurants offer inhouse delivery and curbside pickup. Family meals must be ordered by 9 p.m. the night before.
Char
After recommendations from several friends, we tried Char’s “Family of 4”
Rickie Reinach delivers an order from Char.
dinner package.
Its family dinner includes your choice of meat and two sides. The meat selections include salmon, hamburger steaks and chicken tenders (fried or grilled). The sides to choose from are garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, creamed spinach and blackeyed peas. French bread is included.
We ordered the salmon meal with garlic mashed potatoes. When we called to place our order, the server told us they had just gotten green beans in — so we followed her recommendation and opted for that side dish. Despite being on the phone, the whole interaction was like I was a customer at her table in Char’s dining room.
The meal package (which feeds four) is $40. Salad or dessert for four can be added for $15 per selection. Char offers in-house delivery and curbside pickup.
Swanky’s Taco Shop
Swanky’s Taco Shop has had a family meal pack on its menu since long before the coronavirus was a part of everyday conversation. This was by far the least expensive and most generous portioned family meal we tried.
The Taco Family Pack includes everything you need for a taco bar: ground sirloin, seasoned chicken, shredded cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa and 12 flour tortillas. Queso dip and chips are also included. Our family of four had leftovers to enjoy for lunch the next day.
Order a bottle of margarita mix (on the rocks or frozen) to go along with your Tex-mex feast. They included limes and salt to make the experience complete.
The Taco Family Pack (feeds four to give) was $29.50. An Enchiladas Family Pack is also available. Delivery is available through Grub Hub and Door Dash. Limited in-house delivery is available; call to inquire. Curbside pickup is available.
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen
Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen was our first family meal to try. Our order that night included a mixed green salad, homemade lasagna and braised cannelloni beans with salsa verde.
Since it is known for its handmade pastas, it was no surprise that the lasagna was the hit of the meal. Its version is made with its famous Maw Maw’s Gravy and fresh mozzarella. The current family meal now also includes garlic bread and sticky toffee pudding for dessert, two items not part of our order on March 20.
Next time I order, I plan to include an order of the handmade ravioli and marinara sauce to put in my freezer.
The family meal feeds four and is $75. Curbside pickup only is offered.
Ciao Bella
Ciao Bella is serving a nightly “Family Meal Deal.” Selections have included such dishes as Baked Ziti, Spinach Stuffed Shells and Chicken Parmigiana. It is even including some of its family’s Greek recipes in the family-style offerings.
Greek Chicken Riganato — a “Tashie family ancient recipe” — was a big hit at our table. The order included a whole roast chicken that had been marinated in olive oil, lemon and garlic. Greek salad and orzo pasta came on the side.
The family meals at Ciao Bella are normally $44 for a meal that feeds four. The Greek Chicken “Sunday Night Meal Deal” we ordered was $40. Ciao Bella offers in-house delivery and curbside pickup.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.