Tallahassee restaurants we wish made USA Today Restaurant of the Year
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Several Tallahassee restaurants and grocery stores are offering Christmas meal pre-orders and takeout options.Offerings range from complete family feasts to individual plates and à la carte side dishes.
Local stores and catering services are offering pre-orders and takeout options to impress your guests and let you fully embrace the holiday season without the extra hassle. Take a load off with the help of these local establishments, so your only worry is making sure you have a nice, gooey stack of Santa’s favorite cookies and last-minute gifts for your loved ones.
From the sides to full menus, these caterers have you covered. To spread the holiday cheer, the Tallahassee Democrat went through social media pages and company websites to bring you a list of establishments ready to meet your holiday needs this season.
Did I miss any? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com.
Bagels & Co.
799 W. Gaines St.; 850-825-1744
As Bagels & Co. says “it’s the most wonderful time of the schmear.” The Brooklyn-style bagel shop with over 25 options of savory and sweet flavors of house-made cream cheeses and fresh brews says they have you covered this holiday season. The College Town shop is offering catering packages including its “Breakfast Bagel Platter” which comes with 12 assorted bagels, plain cream cheese and guests’ choice of two specialty cream cheeses ($55). Another favorite is their “Breakfast Sandwich Tray” which gives guests the option to pick any style bagel, sandwiches or burrito, to serve a party of eight with prices starting at $75. Specialty sandwiches available to order include the “Jersey Shore” which comes with “EVERY. SINGLE. BREAKFAST. MEAT,” eggs, cheese and hash browns. Lunch platters with sandwiches and boxed coffee are available as well.
To secure your holiday meal, visit thebagelsandco.com
Cracker Barrel
2920 Hospitality St.; 850-385-9249
Cracker Barrel says, “we’ve got your holiday meal covered,” with a generous list of side dishes and three different meal options to choose from. Dinner portions come in selections to feed a party of four to six with the “Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Family Dinner” size, or a party of eight to 10 to make a “Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Feast.” The prime rib dinner feeds four to six. The “Holiday Ham Heat & Serve Feast” includes a sugar-cured ham, cranberry relish, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, yeast rolls, an apple streusel pie and pecan pie for $189.99.
To secure your holiday meal, visit crackerbarrel.com.
The Honey Baked Ham Co.
1519 Capital Circle NE; 850-205-1426
The family-owned chain establishment, Honey Baked Ham Co. is offering all the tools you need to “bring warmth and flavor to your holiday feast.” They have plenty of options to choose from this holiday season, whether you’re looking to feed a group of 20 or host an intimate gathering catering to four, Honey Baked Ham Co. has all the fixings. The “10 lb. Signature Honey Baked Ham Meal” which serves up to 13 guests comes with a 10 lb. bone-in half ham which is handcrafted with its signature sweet and crunchy glaze. This meal comes with guest’s choice of four frozen heat and serve side dishes, options include: a green bean casserole, double cheddar macaroni and cheese, cheesy potatoes au gratin, baked beans, loaded smashed potatoes and more ($154.26).
To secure your holiday meal visit, honeybaked.com.
Jeri’s Love on a Plate
1370 Market St.; 850-756-7660
Jeri’s Love on a Plate, the locally owned breakfast and brunch hot spot says “let us handle the cooking so you can enjoy the holiday magic.” Its pre-order menu includes holiday dinners, sides, desserts and coffee for any big or small gathering. Main courses made to serve larger groups includes an herb-roasted sliced turkey breast with pan gravy ($95), veggie farmhouse breakfast casserole ($85) and “Jeri’s Famous French Toast” ( $95). Side dishes include the smoked gouda grits and apple butter ($50) or the garlic smashed potatoes ($50). Add dips, salads or soups to fill your tables.
Jeri’s Love on a Plate is taking orders until the end of day Sunday, Dec. 21. All orders will be available for pickup from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23. To secure your holiday meal, visit jeristallahassee.com.
Piggly Wiggly
2526 S. Monroe St.; 850-273-4555
Grocery store chain Piggly Wiggly says its offering “amazing, old-fashioned, made-from-scratch holiday dinners” for you and your loved ones this season. One of the meal deals includes the “Christmas Feast with Sweet Potato Pie.” This dinner comes with a ham, a smoked turkey breast, a large pan of corn bread dressing, gravy, dinner roll and pie ($105.60). Save big with the $46 “Christmas Ham Dinner” which comes with half a ham, a medium pan of cornbread dressing, gravy and dinner rolls. Sides and entrees are also available to order a la carte.
Piggly Wiggly is taking orders until 6 p.m. on Dec. 18. To secure your holiday meal, visit pigglywigglytallahasseefl.com. You can also order these same meals with Fresh 4 Less on 3813 N. Monroe St. To secure your holiday meal with Fresh 4 Less instead, visit fresh4lesstallahassee.com.
Publix Super Markets
Publix Super Markets has 13 Tallahassee locations.
Publix Super Markets’ catering is giving you the option to buy meals that feed different size groups, ranging from three to 10 guests. For $79.99 you can get the “Boar’s Head Sweet Slice Boneless Ham Dinner.” The 5-pound ham is paired with a green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and marshmallow delight, all from the Publix deli for you to take and bake at home. If you’re looking to secure a dinner for a group of 15, the supermarket is offering its “Publix Complete Turkey Dinner” for $139.99. The fully cooked centerpiece turkey comes with sides that will “impress your guests,” Publix says. Sides include “generous portions” of cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry orange relish, “Marshmallow Delight” and homestyle gravy. Other sides including platters of vegetables, fruits and desserts are available to order a la carte as well.
Orders should be placed up to 48 hours before pickup at the Publix deli at your respective store. To secure your holiday meal, visit publix.com.
Social Kitchen
2910 Kerry Forest Parkway; 850-894-6261
Caterers at the locally owned operation Social Kitchen are taking pre-orders to help you host your Christmas parties. Whether you’re looking to feed a group of six to eight ($225), or just need a standout item to bring to the back-to-back holiday parties, Social Kitchen says you’ll be able to “Skip the holiday stress, savor the moment, and make your table unforgettable.” The official “Christmas Dinner” features your choice of short ribs, beef Wellington or ham. The main course is served with herb butter rolls, smoked Gouda au gratin potatoes, green bean almondine with pickled red onions, creamed spinach and cranberry, candied pecan and goat cheese roasted sweet potatoes. Prices vary based on the protein picked. Side dishes are available for individual purchase as well.
Social Kitchen will be taking orders until Friday, Dec. 19. Meals will be available for pickup on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 at its retail store on 2910 Kerry Forest Parkway. To secure your holiday meal visit socialkitchentlh.com.
TasteBudz Takeout and Catering
2655 Capital Cir NE; 850-309-7348
TasteBudz Takeout and Catering, also locally owned, is offering Christmas dinners by the plate for the holiday. Hot plates include the “Christmas Dinner,” which features honey ham with raisin glaze. Each entrée is paired with three sides of choice, buttery rolls and guest’s choice of dessert. Sides, which are also available to order a la carte, include macaroni and cheese, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole and creamed spinach in sizes small, medium and large.
TasteBudz Takeout and Catering will be taking orders until Dec. 21. Pickup is available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 24. To secure your holiday meal, visit tastebudz.net/christmas-dinner.
The Bark
507 All Saints St.; 850-900-5936
The vegan/vegetarian restaurant is presenting holiday meal kits. The large meal kit includes two roasts, three sides of guest’s choice, rolls and a pie. A small meal kit and à la carte options, such as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy are available as well. The restaurant is taking orders until Saturday, Dec. 20. Pickup is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 23.
To secure your holiday meal, visit thebarkfl.square.site.
Whole Foods Market
The organic grocery store Whole Foods is offering catering services this holiday season. “Serve a chef-inspired Christmas feast,” its website says. Full feast offerings include the “Maple Bourbon Ham Meal for 8” which comes with sides of homestyle green bean casserole, maple mashed sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese ($159.99). Order the “Just-the-Sides Package for 4,” if you’re looking for some last-minute options. The package comes with sea salt and cracked pepper green beans, mashed russet potatoes, herb stuffing, turkey gravy and a zesty cranberry orange sauce ($59.99). From soups, salads, meats, sauces, sides and more, these caterers have all the fixings.
To secure your holiday meal visit, wholefoodsmarket.com.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
Dining and Cooking