‘Tis the season to start planning ahead for your at-home Christmas meals and celebrations, especially if you’d rather skip the hassle of preparing your own holiday feast.
If you need to call in reinforcements, from Palm Springs to La Quinta, the Coachella Valley takeout scene is sleighing it with festive feasts you can savor from home. Be sure to place your orders early so you don’t miss out.
Agua Caliente Casinos in Rancho Mirage
Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage offers a chef-prepared holiday feast, packaged and ready to serve, featuring a maple Dijon honey-glazed ham baked with pineapple for $250, plus tax, serving up to eight guests. Then, several sides are included, such as tomato bisque soup; Boursin whipped mashed potatoes; pasta primavera with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and ratatouille vegetables; and haricot vert green beans amandine with roasted shallot butter. The casino also has you set with a holiday yule log cake for dessert.
Place orders by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, before they sell out. Curbside pickup will be available Christmas Day in Rancho Mirage.
Address: 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage
For more info: aguacalientecasinos.com
Alice B. in Palm Springs
Sweeten your holiday meals with Alice B. in Palm Springs’ Dutch-style Cirone Farms apple pie, infused with lemon zest and brown sugar ($45), and a dozen cornmeal cheddar drop biscuits ($35).
Pre-order by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and pick up your treats between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
Address: 1122 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs
For more information: Visit aliceb.com
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen in Palm Desert
Impress your guests with Chef Tanya’s Kitchen’s vegan pear and apple tarts. The apple almond tart combines sweet and savory flavors with sliced red apples and a topping of sliced almonds. For a rich, savory option, try the poached pear tart, featuring wine-poached pears and a sprinkle of sliced almonds. The 9.5-inch tarts are $60 each and can only be purchased at their Palm Desert location.
Address: 72-695 Highway 111 Unit A6 in Palm Desert
For more information: Visit cheftanyakitchen.com
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen offers vegan food to-go out of its kitchen storefront, August 23, 2017.
Gelson’s Markets in Rancho Mirage
Enjoy a stress-free Christmas dinner with Gelson’s Markets in Rancho Mirage, where you can savor the holiday with restaurant-quality dishes minus the hassle. Choose from a variety of premade holiday dinners, including roasted turkey options priced at $60 to $290 and spiral-glazed ham dinners from $60 to $170, both served with sides like mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. All holiday dinner orders will be refrigerated at the time of pick-up and will need to be heated before serving. Other main courses include prime rib, brisket, poached salmon, grilled salmon, as well as a vegan option. À la carte meats and side dish kits are also available.
Place your order by Saturday, Dec. 21, and pick up your dinner between Dec. 21 and Dec. 24. Pie pickups are only available from Dec. 22 through Dec. 24.
Address: 36-101 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage
For more information: Visit gelsons.com
Jensen’s Finest Foods in Palm Springs and Palm Desert
From rib roasts (priced from $24.99/lb to $42.99/lb) to fully cooked and uncooked turkeys (ranging from $4.59/lb to $8.99/lb) to ham (from $8.99/lb to $9.99/lb), Jensen’s Finest Foods in Palm Springs and Palm Desert has everything you need to set your holiday table, plus a variety of sides and fresh-baked pies ($16.99).
Pick up is available from Dec. 14 to Dec. 24, as the grocery store will close on Christmas Day.
Addresses: 2645 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs and 73-601 Highway 111 in Palm Desert
For more information: Visit palmsprings.jensensfoods.com and palmdesert.jensensfoods.com
A woman carries a red umbrella, matching her red jacket, while walking past Girl Scouts selling cookies in front of the Jensen’s grocery store in Palm Springs Sunday afternoon, as a steady rain blanketed the valley.
Sprouts Farmers Market in Palm Springs, Indian Wells and La Quinta
Sprouts has you covered with fully cooked holiday meals, including a turkey meal ($69.99), spiral-sliced ham meal ($69.99), boneless rib roast meal ($89.99) and a turkey breast meal ($39.99), all served with fresh, wholesome seasonal sides. Uncooked turkeys, hams and roasts are also available, along with side dishes, fresh-baked pies and rolls.
Place your Christmas orders by noon on Dec. 22, while supplies last, and at least 48 hours in advance. Meals can be picked up from Dec. 13 to Dec. 24.
Addresses: 5200 Ramon Road, Building 8, in Palm Springs; 74-895 Highway 111 in Indian Wells; and 79-050 Highway 111 in La Quinta
For more information: catering.sprouts.com
Stater Bros. Markets in Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indio
Stater Bros. Markets’ pre-planned holiday dinners serve up to six guests and include a variety of main courses and side dishes. Options include a Butterball cooked turkey dinner ($69.99), a Hormel spiral-sliced ham dinner ($69.99) and a fully cooked boneless prime rib ($129.99). All dinners come with sides such as cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, homestyle gravy and cranberry sauce. Dinners for two are also available, featuring turkey or ham for just $24.99.
To place an order, visit your preferred Stater Bros. location and complete the dinner order form. All orders must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the pickup date, subject to availability.
Addresses: 69-255 Ramon Road in Cathedral City; 78-210 Varner Road in Palm Desert; 78-630 Highway 111 in La Quinta; and 81-056 Highway 111 in Indio
For more information: Visit staterbros.com
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Whole Foods Market in Palm Desert
Create a show-stopping spread of holiday treats and dessert platters courtesy of Whole Foods in Palm Desert. Choose from options like a maple bourbon ham for $159.99 (serves 8), a prime rib meal for $259.99 (also serves 8) or a holiday extravaganza for 12 guests at $569.99. À la carte entrées include salt and pepper prime rib roast, beef Wellington, roasted beef tenderloin, classic whole roast turkey and wine-braised lamb shanks. Appetizers, sides, salads and soups are also available. Indulge in a holiday dessert board for $89.99 or a malted chocolate Bûche de Noël Yule log.
Order by Dec. 22 and pick up your meal anytime between Dec. 19 and Dec. 24.
Address: 44-459 Town Center Way in Palm Desert
For more information: Visit wholefoodsmarket.com
Whole Foods Market opens in Palm Desert, Calif. on Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, 2014.
Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 8 Palm Springs area restaurants with takeout specials this Christmas