The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Fabulous family feasting
A couple of local staples, chains stand out with multiperson takeout options
If I were forced to predict a few things that will stick around once the novel coronavirus pandemic has passed, I’d offer that more people will work from home more often, we’ll see some folks wearing masks during future flu seasons, and family-style takeout meal deals will be here to stay.
Disclaimer: I’m a fan of the takeout family meals, so that bold prediction has a tinge of hopeful bias. I love being able to decide I’m not going to cook that day and go online to quickly order an entire meal I can just pick up somewhere. I’d also venture to guess that they’re relatively profitable for the restaurants, which is what’s most necessary for them to stick around.
A couple of recent family bundles we’ve had were what I’d consider particularly good values. That gave me the idea of putting together a list of the best values among the family meal deals I’ve tried. The criteria are both the quantity and quality of food relative to its price, as well as ease of ordering and pickup and level of customization.
In no particular order, here are the top values among the dozen or so family bundle meals with which I’ve had experience.
MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL »
7599 Mentor Avel, Mentor; 9710 Mentor Ave., Mentor; 5920 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights
Southwest Moe’s is a national chain, but the four locations in the area are operated by local family franchisees Ryan and Ashley O’Hare. It’s the latest area entrant into the fast-casual Mexican food arena.
Moe’s meal kits, now on the regular takeout menu, evolved out of the fundraising dinners they provide for local groups. We went with the taco meal kit ($34.99) — there are fajita ($39.99) and nachos ($29.99) options, as well — which is billed as feeding four to six people. It made for more than one meal for the four of us.
You get 12 tortillas, two choices of protein, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, black beans and sour cream for the tacos. The meal kit also includes a healthy portion of chips and queso dip and salsa to go with them.
Everything was surprisingly fresh, and the chips and queso went over well with the kids. If I had a minor complaint, I’d wish the ground beef would have been a little more drained. Online ordering and pickup were easy. It’s a very solid value overall.
DINO’S RESTAURANT » 1299 E. 305th St., Willowick
I’ve been a fan of Dino’s for just about my entire life, and the Tibaldi family was serving up Italian food in the Cleveland area decades before I was even around. The latest additions to that legacy are their carry-out family pack dinner.
There are five regular meal deals ranging from $28.50 to $39.50, and there are daily specials that add a little more variety and lower prices ($23.50 to $32). They serve four to six people, and we’ve gotten a little more mileage than that
because two of our four are kids.
I can vouch for the chicken piccata with penne ($39.50) and the cavatelli and meatballs ($32.50). All dinners come with salad and Dino’s famous dinner rolls. There’s no online ordering, but it’s worth the phone call to 440-9444600.
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS AND BREWS » 36565 Euclid Ave., Willoughby
If you have a hankering for bring-home burgers, Red Robin could be just the place for you. I admit the burger chain has been a guilty pleasure of mine for years, and the family burger bundle just cements that status.
There are cheaper burger bundles than Red Robin’s (which serve four to six people at $10 per person), but the quality of the burgers is a plus, AND you can customize each person’s burger, which is rare for family meal deals. You get your choice of beef, veggie or chicken patties, as well as a couple of bun options, several cheese choices and plenty of toppings — all packaged separately so as to avoid sogginess during transport.
The meals come with a choice of fries or kettle
chips, and you can add on kids’ meals, a salad, chicken wings and even dessert for extra fees. Online ordering and pickup are easy.
LA VERA PARTY CENTER » Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills
La Vera Party Center has what’s been my favorite dish among all the family deals we’ve experienced: chicken parmesan. It’s tender chicken breast that’s breaded, sauced, cheesed and baked to perfection. That particular meal deal ($45) also comes with meatballs, cavatelli, a house salad and garlic bread for four to six adults. Mix in a couple of lighter appetites, and that estimate can be stretched out.
La Vera’s meals are available only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and for some special occasions.
On Mondays, it’s usually the pasta option, and Fridays during lent will bring the fish fry ($15 per person). Online ordering is smooth, but you must get orders in ahead of time. Pickup is a breeze, and — all factors considered — La Vera’s chicken parm pasta meal is probably my vote if I absolutely HAD to choose one top value.
PICKLE BILL’S LOBSTER HOUSE » 101 River St., Grand River
It’s weird that, over the years, there have been times I’ve left the venerable Lake County seafood landmark a little disappointed, yet I’ve been nothing but satisfied with the family-dinner takeout experience.
The options might have changed since the last time we were there, but our experience is with the chicken
finger platter for four ($35). It comes with plenty of large pieces of high-quality chicken, as well as fries and coleslaw. My kids would eat chicken fingers every day, and Pickle Bill’s version is better than others around. The portions are substantial.
You’ll have to order by phone for carry-out, and Pickle Bill’s is open Thursday through Sunday only.
I’m sure there are good deals on family meals I’m missing. I mean, you can’t try everything — not even during a pandemic that’s approaching a year old. I have noticed, however, that my own family’s level of satisfaction has varied somewhat among the various places we’ve tried. These are the ones that so far stand out to me as delivering the most bang for your buck.