After a long winter day who has the energy to make dinner? Not us! Take a night off and check out these restaurants and catering services in the DMV that offer budget-friendly portions large enough to feed your entire family. Keep scrolling for the best places to pick up curbside family meals for hungry kiddos and tired parents.
DC
Chicken + Whiskey
Slip through a the freezer door at this establishment and you're transported to an adults-only speakeasy in the heart of DC. You don't have to wait for date night to sip their tasty libations, though. Cocktails are elegantly bottled for pick up. For your mains, order the Combo Familiar ($45.99) for family-sized portions. You can two South American rotisserie chickens along with four large sides (like black beans and sweet plantains). This steal-of-a-meal is sure to be a fam favorite.
1738 14th St.
Logan Circle
202-667-2456
Online: chickenandwhiskey.com
Estadio DC
Estadio DC is known for small plate Spanish cuisine in the heart of Logan Circle. But when you want to feed the family, small plates aren't going to cut it. Paella, one of Estadio's specialties, is a rich, comfort food meant to be shared. You can order this dish to go in oversized portions meant to serve 3-4 ($50-65). Choices include seafood, chicken chorizo and vegetarian paella. Be sure to add the cinnamon dusted churros (served with chocolate ganache) to your order for a sweet treat after dinner.
1520 14th St. NW
Logan Circle
202-319-1404
Online: estadio-dc.com
Occasions Caterers
You don't have to be throwing a party to call up this local caterer. Occasions creates weekly meals for families so you can have a festive dine-in experience without the pretense. The company's Marketplace offers easy to heat-and-serve meals that serve 2-4, like aromatic short ribs ($30) or cauliflower mac-and-cheese ($20). Sweet treats include pecan bars, mini cupcakes and double fudge brownies.
655 Taylor St. NE
University Heights/Brookland
202-546-7400
Online: occasions-caterers
La Collina
La Collina's Pasta Club is so popular, you'll now have to add yourself to a waitlist for a chance to boil their handmade pasta at home. A worth-the-wait subscription, members get 1 lb. of freshly made, rustic pasta and house-made sauce to feed a family of four. Herb garnishes and cheeses are also included in this bi-monthly kit ($85). For an additional $20, La Collina will deliver within the beltway. Prep for this take-home kit couldn't be simpler; just boil and serve.
747 C St. SE
Capitol Hill
Online: table22.com/la-collina
Oohh's & Aahh's
This legendary soul food restaurant is offering hearty comfort food that can fill a whole family's belly for $49.95. Catfish, shrimp, chicken wings and more are all on the menu (and the portions are generous). Don't forget family-favorite sides, like mashed potatoes with gravy and mac & cheese. Add 2 cocktails or 4 beers for an extra $10! This meal is sure to melt away the back-to-school blues.
5933 Georgia Ave
Washington, DC 20011
202-882-2902
1005 U Street NW
Washington, DC
202-667-7142
Online: oohhsnaahhs.com
Federalist Pig
For an easy family meal, order meats by the 1/2 pound at this BBQ joint. Hungry families should consider the Feed the Fam platter which includes your choice of four means and four large sides. Choose from brisket, chopped pork, a half chicken, sausage links and more PLUS four large sides. Each family pack also comes with Texas toast and pickles. If this restaurant isn't already on your radar as a fam fav, it will be now: it consistently earns praise as one of the best cheap eats by the Washingtonian.
1654 Columbia Rd NW
Adams Morgan
Online: federalistpig.com
Chaia Tacos
The vegetarian taqueria has an enchilada supper club for your whole crew. Order a pan of mushroom or black bean enchiladas to serve a family of 4-6 for $42. Or mix and match your own custom Taco Tray ($42) with your choice of 12 tacos. You can also get their tasty margaritas to-go.
3207 Grace St. NW
Georgetown
202-333-5222
615 Eye St. NW
Chinatown
202-290-1019
Online: chaiatacos.com
Virginia
SER
You don't have to dine in to order "For the Table" entrees at this Ballston restaurant. You'll find grown up dishes like roasted suckling pig, angus bone-in ribeye and whole roasted rabbit on this menu that serves between 2-6 and start at $50. While plenty of the dishes can serve the whole family, pickier eaters might want to order from the kid's menu that offers standard fare like cheeseburgers and pasta alongside more sophisticated options like chicken croquetas and a Spanish omelet.
1110 North Glebe Rd.
Arlington, VA
703-746-9822
Online: serrestaurant.com
Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company
You can pick up meat by the pound from three different locations in the DMV: Arlington, Alexandria and Washington, DC. Or save more by choosing one of their bundled packages aptly named Family Meal and Feast for Five ($65-80). Each packaged kit includes a selection of meat, 3 pints of sides, potato rolls and cornbread.
25 S. Quaker Lane
Alexandria, VA
3471 Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA
202-337-1925
Online: rocklands.com
Worth the Drive: Magnolias at the Mill
If you spend the day at one of Loudoun County's kid-friendly wineries in NOVA, it's worth stopping at this charming restaurant in Purcellville, VA to bring one of their heat-and-eat meals home. Fried chicken with gouda mac-and-cheese pleases all palates. They also offer shrimp and grits, beef Bourgogne with whipped potatoes, chicken panang curry, meatloaf and more. All meals serve 4 and range from $50-75.
198 North 21st Street
Purcellville, Virginia 20132
540-338-9800
(540) 338-9800
Maryland
Gary's Grill
This neighborhood favorite is bringing family dinner back ($40-$75), and we're here for it. The pickiest member of the family will be satisfied with this family-style menu, salad and sides included. Oh, and they didn't forget about breakfast, either. Early morning pick ups include four of their famous pumpkin muffins to jump start your day. Don't forget to call 24 hours in advance for this one.
553 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd
Severna Park, MD
410-544-0499
Online: garrysgrill.com
True Food Kitchen
Not only does this national chain offer family-sized portions with mix-and-match options to feed parties of 4-6, but they offer the raw goods, too! Order a Meal Prep Kit ($60) and select proteins, sides and your choice of sauce for a simple, healthy, no frills dinner. Take the guess work (and the actual work) out of dinner by upgrading to build-your-own family meal ($56-78).
7100 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD
240-200-1257
Online: truefoodkitchen.com
—Meghan Yudes Meyers and Angelica Kajwara
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