The business of feeding people became extremely complicated this year. Restaurants, to keep their lights on, had to explore new ways of getting food to customers, from tracking down gourmet-friendly takeout containers to hiring in-house delivery teams to launching whole new side hustles. Thanks to their quick thinking, it is possible to spend an entire week both socially distanced and well fed. So grab your sporks and your Wet-Naps and dig in.
Family Dinner
When you need to put dinner on the table for the entire pod, go for multi-serving packages like these.
The Legend
Restaurant food doesn’t get more family-oriented than The Legend’s two big sellers: Dad’s Crunchy Chicken (1) and Mom’s Meatloaf. The Irvington standard will package up both in family-size foil carryout containers with four cookies and a choice of two sides. Make sure one of them is the macaroni and cheese, served as a baked casserole. Lunch and dinner Tuesday–Saturday. 5614 E. Washington St., 317-536-2028, thelegendcafe.com
Exotic on the Run
A tribute to Florida seafood boils, this westside spot loads tin-foil trays with boiled, buttered, and aggressively seasoned crustaceans (2) cooked into a delicious jumble with red potatoes, corn on the cob, boiled eggs, and chunks of spicy sausage. There is no tidy way to enjoy this meal. It’s a messy crowd-pleaser, so just dig in. Lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday. 3106 W. 16th St., 317-672-7467, exoticontherunindy.com
Vino Villa
Those decked-out cakes on display at Greenwood’s homiest wine bar are also available in their full 8- or 10-inch glory. Flavors range from carrot (3) to red velvet to goat cheese praline cheesecake. Place your order a day or two in advance to bring home one of these buttercream trophies. Lunch and dinner Tuesday–Saturday. 200 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood, 317-882-9463, vinovilla.com
Half Liter BBQ
Trekking across the smoke-scented barbecue biergarten to retrieve your carryout order (4) might conjure some pre-COVID longing. Luckily, you can assuage the pain with meat-centric family meals like The Dolly (feeds five) and The Willie (feeds 10), along with a three-meat Taco Fest that includes one pound each of brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken. If you opt for the Frito Pie Family Pack that comes with an entire bag of corn chips and a quart of Texas chili, you are certainly in the running for Parent of the Year. Lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday. 5301 Winthrop Ave., 463-212-8180, halfliterbbq.com
The Grace Truck
Indy chef Jeremiah Clark operates this mobile gourmet kitchen. Every week, he offers an elaborate family meal (like chicken thighs with risotto, or short rib with potato puree and roasted carrots) priced around $15 per serving. Place an order by 11 a.m. on Monday and retrieve it at one of the truck’s upcoming stops. 317-516-9260, gracetruck.com
Old Gold Barbecue
Wear a coat and hover near the smoker-turned-firepit at this popular food truck in the Metazoa Brewing Company parking lot. You will likely have a wait before fetching your online or in-person order. But good things to come: smoked meats (like sweet and tender pulled pork and brisket with a delightfully charred crust), served whole or by the half pound, are melt-in-your-mouth buttery. Lunch and dinner Thursday–Sunday. 140 S. College Ave., 317-764-3443, oldgoldbarbecue.com
Iaria’s
One of Indy’s oldest Italian establishments offers a mamma mia–worthy assist with its bulk carryout servings of pastas and entrees. Order favorites like fettuccine alfredo, baked Bolognese, and eggplant Parmesan by the half pan, shallow pan, or full pan. Some of the more involved items, like the lasagna and tiramisu, might require a week’s notice, so plan your Big Night accordingly. Dinner Tuesday–Saturday. 317 S. College Ave., 317-638-7706, iariasrestaurant.com
Brozinni
The southside pizzeria builds its Feed a Family meal around a bucket of marinara-sauced pasta. Eight meatballs…
Read More: The Comprehensive Guide to Indy’s Best Takeout – Indianapolis Monthly