School is back in session, and while time is a luxury, so is preparing a balanced dinner on some days.
After tackling the never-ending list of daily tasks and bustling nights of traveling to school, sports practices, tutoring, late-night homework sessions and everything in between, cooking a nutritious or well-balanced dinner can seem nearly impossible. And sitting down and catching up is often pushed to the weekends.
To give you a head start before the busy-ness of the school year ramps up, here are a few local chains and restaurants that offer family style bundles and meal preps for a quick and easy fix, beyond a typical bucket of chicken with sides or box of pizza.
Family-style meals are ready-to-eat dishes with larger portions that can be served immediately after pick-up; meal preps may require reheating and can be stored for later use.
Of course, establishments strongly encourage ordering meal preps well in advance, whereas family bundles and meals are typically a same-day service.
Carabba’s Italian Grill
2779 Capital Circle NE; 850-297-1100;carrabbas.com
The chain restaurant, Carabba’s Italian Grill located on Capital Circle, has a handful of family meals to choose from. Starting at $40, the Italian-themed franchise offers a family-style spaghetti dinner; salmon capperi (wood-grilled salmon topped with oven-roasted grape tomatoes, basil, capers and lemon butter sauce) and chicken marsala (wood-grilled and topped with mushrooms and Lombardo Marsala wine sauce). There is a range of creamy and saucy pastas and meats to choose from if those aren’t your style. The entrees come with your choice of side salad and bread. These meals typically feed up to four people.
Clean Eatz
1000 Railroad Ave.; 850-999-1384; cleaneatz.com
As suggested in the name, Clean Eatz located on Railroad Avenue offers fully prepped meals that are ready to take home or to work and warm up. Now, if you have picky eaters on your hands, these meal preps may be strictly for the adults looking for a convenient way to stay away from dinosaur shaped nuggets and cheesy noodles. Every week, the restaurant releases a new menu with six different entrees to choose from. If you place your online order, you can anticipate picking up your meals within the next couple of days to consume during the bustling week.
For instance, this week’s offering includes the stuffed green pepper bowl prepared filled with brown rice, ground beef, and tomatoes. Clean Eatz’s pricing model differs depending on the number of meals you buy. Buying nine meals leaves you paying $8.45 a bowl.
El Cocinero
1303 Thomasville Road; 850-329-6591; elcocinerotlh.com
The Mexican-cuisine restaurant, El Cocinero, located on Thomasville Road, offers taco kits in two portion options of 12 ($50) or 20 ($75) tacos. The taco kits allow you to pick your tortilla and then up to three protein fillings, ranging from Baja chicken, carne asada and grilled Portobello and chayote squash. Tacos come with toppings, including cilantro, queso cotija, lime, tomato, onions and jalapenos. Available to order online, the taco boxes can be picked up or delivered for your convenience.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Moe’s Southwest Grill has six Tallahassee locations; moes.com
Moe’s Southwest Grill, a Tex-Mex food chain offers a “build your own style” taco, nacho and fajita meal kit that typically feeds from four to six people, starting at $37.99. The “nacho kit” comes with chips, your choice of two proteins, two bowls of queso, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños and salsa. At checkout, you can add a gallon of tea or lemonade and a sweet treat to top off the meal. According to its website, Moe’s Southwest Grill offers pickup, drive- thru, curbside service and delivery.
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
1103 Apalachee Parkway; 850-878-2949; olivegarden.com
Olive Garden offers family style bundles and family style pans for dinner. Family style bundles which feature two different thick pans of lasagna are paired with its famous breadsticks and house salad to pair. The bundles come in two serving portions, the regular typically feeds four to six people for $63.99. The large family style lasagna typically feeds 12 for $94.99. For entrees specifically, the family style pans include a few different alfredos (chicken, chicken tortellini, shrimp and fettucine). Other dishes include the chicken or shrimp scampi, served with sautéed vegetable, a creamy scampi or garlic sauce served on a bed of angel hair pasta. Appetizers are offered to pair, and pans tend to feed four to six people.
Outback Steakhouse
1820 Raymond Diehl Road; 850-385-1998; outback.com
Home of the Bloomin’ Onion, the Australian-themed chain Outback Steakhouse offers “Bloomin’ Bundle Meals” starting at $50 to serve four or $70 to feed six. The bundle meal options include grilled chicken, center-cut sirloin steak, coconut and grilled shrimp as the main protein. The bundles are served with a family-style Caesar or house salad, your choice of two sides (“Aussie” fries, mixed veggies and mashed potatoes) and two of its signature honey wheat breads.
Smorgasbord Catering Co.
1123 Thomasville Road; 850-404-2466; smorgasbordcatering.com
The new breakfast and lunch eatery downstairs in the Midtown Readers building, Smorgasbord Catering Co. also offers a nice range of family meal preps. If you’re looking to expand your palate, you may be intrigued by its chicken tikka masala with basmati rice and buttered naan (marinated boneless chicken pieces cooked in a creamy red sauce) which serves four for $60. Other items on the menu include the Cuban dish, “Arroz con Pollo” served with fried plantains and black beans. According to its website, pickup and delivery is available Tuesday through Friday evenings at 1122 Thomasville Road. Same day ordering is not available so plan to order ahead.
Social Kitchen
2910 Kerry Forest Parkway; 850-894-6261; socialkitchentlh.com
Social Kitchen on Kerry Forest Parkway offers chef-prepared meals that you can conveniently take home and reheat for 30 minutes. As previously reported in the Tallahassee Democrat, menus are updated weekly and kept “fresh” to date with seasonal veggies and ingredients, giving patrons options for dinners and lunches. Meals are available to order online and available for in-store pick up every Monday at the Kerry Forest Parkway location, or at the Banquet Space at the Capital City Country Club, 1601 Golf Terrace Drive.Meals are offered at a set price of $35 for a serving for two, $60 for four servings. Menus are placed on the website for up to three weeks to give customers time to plan. Meals can be delivered for free after a minimum order of $95. This week’s menu features pineapple chicken, mushroom ravioli or herb pork tenderloin. Upgrades are available to create a three-course meal.
Sonny’s BBQ
Sonny’s BBQ has three Tallahassee locations; sonnysbbq.com
Family feasts and “create your own” bundles are offered at Sonny’s BBQ. The “Family Feast” includes pulled pork, sliced brisket, BBQ chicken and “Sweet and Smokey St. Louis Ribs”. Side dishes include barbecue beans, coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, cornbread and four sweet teas to drink. The feast typically feeds four for $52.99. The other bundles’ prices increase depending on how many meats you choose to add. Takeout, delivery and curbside services are available.
Did I miss any of your favorites? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com.
Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat.