Let these comfort food services do the cooking while you’re cooped up and hiding out from COVID-19
Looking for a little more than a to-go bag from your favorite restaurant while sheltering at home due to the pandemic? Not interested in a meal kit you have to cook yourself? Here are four great gourmet meal options from stellar local chefs. Some of the businesses offer curbside pickup and others have delivery service; all are perfect for when you want something mouthwatering to feed yourself, you and your hunkered-down honey, or you and the whole fam. Follow social media feeds to get the most up-to-the-minute offerings.
STEW (delivery only)
Because chef-owner Katrina Velasquez relies mostly on local farmers for ingredients, uses antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, and offers vegan options, too, STEW (Save Time, Eat Well) is pure gold for those who prefer clean eating. Order online by midnight Tuesdays (see the site’s timer that counts down to each week’s deadline), and look for delivery from her North Charleston industrial kitchen Saturday mornings. You’ll get meals labeled with expiration dates in a large insulated bag alongside heating instructions. Follow @stewdelivers on Instagram and check out the site for the week’s offerings, including specials that include donations to local blessing box and food banks.
Hamby Catering & Events (West Ashley, Mount Pleasant pickup; delivery available)
West Ashley’s The Market at Hamby Catering (925 St. Andrews Blvd.; Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) offers up Charleston comfort food when you order online, via email (info@hambycatering.com), or by phone at (843) 725-4035. Place your request 24 hours prior to curbside pickup. East of the Cooper? Visit their pop-up market (open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily) in the parking lot of Bottles (610 Coleman Blvd.) in Mount Pleasant. For those who prefer door-to-door delivery, opt for the Family Meal Delivery package ($50, feeds four) and place your order Monday through Thursday for Tuesday through Friday delivery. Otherwise, find them on Uber Eats. To keep abreast of changes, and to see their sumptuous Easter options, visit the site and follow @hambycatering on Instagram.
Square Onion (Mount Pleasant; pickup only)
The I’On stalwart known for gourmet goodies, to-go dinners that taste better than home-cooked, and a killer wine “cellar” has converted its ice-cream order window to a sidewalk pickup window during the pandemic restrictions. Order online, by phone at (843) 856-4246, or simply stop by during their new hours Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Since they make and freeze big batches, they don’t require notice.) Bonus? A small casserole can feed two to four people and a large feeds up to 10 people. While the latter might not work with gathering restrictions, if you have a teen or like leftovers, it’s just right. Follow @squareonion on Instagram for specials and specifics.
Laura Alberts Tasteful Options (Daniel Island; pickup only)
This Daniel Island fave has long offered “Dinner to Go,” the sort of prepped meal that you’d quickly plate on your own china to impress a date in an effort to come off as someone who really knows their way around a skillet. Now, to keep up with hunkered down folks hankering for fine meals, they’ve added even more entrée options. The dinners, which are not packaged to be frozen, are ready for pickup Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and are fresh for up to 72 hours thereafter. Each serves two to four people. To order, call (843) 881-4711, and for updates, follow @lauraalberts on Instagram.
Written by Melissa Bigner - Photos courtesy of the businesses
