Family Dinners to Go Save the Day!
Gathering with friends and family around the holidays can mean that someone is always meal prepping.
The holidays are a great time to give the cook in your house a break for once. Many of us have our go-to deli that we call for a tray of raviolis or a neighborhood taqueria where we order our Christmas tamales. And who turns down pizza or Chinese food from their favorite spot?
But some restaurants have family takeout meals that fit the bill. “We actually started doing the family dinners to go during the pandemic,” Jennifer Pappas, of Papapavlo’s said. “It just became really popular, so we kept it.” At Octavio’s Restaurant, owner Octavio Cruces says his customers have been loving the Sunday Hot and Ready Enchilada package! “Folks appreciate the portions and love the convenience of ordering online,” he said. When the college kids come back home and the relatives stay over, take a break and take advantage of some tasty family meal packages to go by some of our favorite locally owned restaurants. You can travel around the world with our roundup or check the options at your go-to eatery.
Papapavlo’s
The 6 for $75 Family Meal at Papapavlo’s in Stockton includes a choice of one or mix and match (beef is limited to three) chicken brochettes, beef brochettes, vegetable brochettes and gyros strips. This dinner includes a family-size Greek or Caesar salad or a 32-ounce container of soup or a pan of rice pilaf. It also comes with tzatziki and pita bread. Their $65 Pasta Family Meal includes a family-size Greek or Caesar salad or a 32-ounce container of soup, a box of pita bread and one pan of pasta that serves five to eight people. The pasta choices include Mediterranean Chicken Pasta, Papapavlo’s Pasta with Chicken, Chicken Pomodoro Pasta, Grilled Vegetable Pasta and Seafood Pasta. The Seafood Pasta option rings up to $95. And you can even go big and go home with the special 30 for $370 package when you have a lot of mouths to feed. Papapavlo’s has locations in Lodi at 223 N. School Street and in Stockton’s Lincoln Center. For more information, visit papapavlos.com and check out the takeout menu.
Pietro’s Trattoria
At Pietro’s in Lodi, the three-course Family Pack to go serves four at $95 and serves 10 at $195. For an insalata, choose between a Pietro’s salad, Caesar salad or garden salad; for primi, pick a penne pasta with marinara or meat sauce, gnocchi with cream or pesto sauce, ravioli with Bolognese sauce or lasagna. For the secondi, the choices are chicken parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana, chicken piccata or, for an extra $30, choose the New York Steak. They also have family style trays of menu items such as lasagna, chicken piccata, bread and so much more that serve 10 to 12 guests. Another option is their bulk portions menu! Pietro’s has moved to a larger location after 40 years on Kettleman Lane. They are now located at 282 Rocky Lane in Lodi. For more information, visit pietroslodi.com/catering/#family-pack.
Octavio’s
Check out the Sunday Special at Octavio’s in Stockton. The Hot and Ready Family Enchilada package is just $59 and features ten enchiladas; choose between cheese, chicken, beef or pork, with red or green sauce, refried beans, Spanish rice and their chips and salsa. Got a crowd to feed? Just order two or more! The Sunday Special is available only through the restaurant’s direct online ordering link on Sundays at octaviosrestaurant.com. Octavio’s is located in Stockton’s Marina Center at 3201 W Benjamin Holt Dr., Suite 155.
Komachi Sushi
Mix up your mealtime by ordering a Sushi Bar platter to go. Komachi has three Sushi Bar platters to go, each priced at $115. They feed four to five as a meal or 15 to 20 as an appetizer. Each sushi bar platter features a variety of rolls such Spicy Tuna, Golden Shrimp, California and more. They also serve up a Nigiri Platter featuring tuna, salmon, albacore and white fish for $115 and a Kitchen Platter that includes rice, edamame, fried Gyoza, chicken teriyaki, sesame chicken and mixed panko vegetables. Komachi Sushi is located at 307 S. Lower Sacramento Rd. Suite D in Lodi. Check out their menu at sushikomachi.com.
Bud’s Seafood Grille
December is a great month for soup and Bud’s has a family to-go special on their clam chowder. On Mondays, the Monday Night Special is $41 and includes 2 quarts of New England clam chowder, a family-size salad with dressing and a half loaf of sourdough bread to feed a family of four. Order multiples to feed your guests. On Tuesdays through Sunday, the order is dubbed the Chowder Special for $43. Thursdays and Fridays, you can switch things up and order their red Manhattan chowder. On Tuesdays, Bud’s has a Fish & Chips to go special that feeds four. The Pacific cod is accompanied by French fries, cole slaw, lemon wedges, tartar sauce and sourdough for $48. Bud’s Seafood is located in Stockton’s Lincoln Center. For more information, visit budsseafood.com.
House of Shaw Café & Bakery
What about brunch? For stayover guests, House of Shaw wants to help with the holidays. With 48 hours’ notice, they have a large quiche that serves six to seven people at $35 each. They also create charcuterie boards that serve 10 to 15 people starting at $200 and a delicious carrot cake that serves 8 to 10. Add some mimosas and coffee, and you’re set! Check them out on Instagram @hofshaw or call 209-948-4300. House of Shaw is located on the Miracle Mile in Stockton at 227 Dorris Place.
