Not every night is suitable for going out on the town. In fact, after a long day at the office, being seen by impeccably dressed swells is probably the last item on the agenda. But a night in doesnt mean grabbing dinner in a paper sack from a drive-thru window or spending hours cooking. There are plenty of great restaurants that can prepare your dinner to go.
By Greg Elwell | Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette file
Provision Kitchen
6443 Avondale Drive
405-843-2310
Who has time to get out of the car these days? Thats the beauty of Provision Kitchens curbside service, in which customers can order from a variety of healthy and delicious meals and have them brought out to the car. Whether its a breakfast of banana pancakes, an order of chicken bolognese or a selection of nutritious delicacies from the hot bar, give Provision Kitchen a call and the helpful staff will pack it up and get it ready to go.
Nhinja Sushi & Wok
13905 N. May Ave.
405-463-6622
Its a luxury to sit in a quiet dining room and leisurely indulge on plates of expertly made sushi, but its also pretty cool to veg out in front of the TV with a veggie roll. Nhinja Sushi & Wok makes perfectly portable rolls, like the spicy blend of yellowtail, tuna and salmon with dynamite sauce in a 911 roll or grilled steak, asparagus and eel sauce in the JoJo roll. For those hungry for something other than sushi, the rice and noodle bowls are easy to take home, too.
Chelinos Mexican Restaurant
6509 Northwest Expressway
405-728-2770
Calling in an order is fine, but one local restaurant chain makes it easy to skip the human interaction and get right down to the great Tex-Mex food. Chelinos is a metro favorite, and now its conquering the internet with online ordering of its expansive menu. Start off with botana, a platter of grilled onions, fried jalapeños and potatoes served with avocado and tomato slices. Its perfect for a picnic on the go.
Tacoville
3502 Newcastle Road
405-681-0661
Bring cash and an appetite if Tacoville is on tonights agenda. Since 1967, Tacoville has served OKC delicious crunchy tacos, stuffed burritos and chili with beans. This little restaurant packs them in at lunch and dinner, so feel free to get Tacoville to-go. The enchilada dinner or the tamales might be hard to handle on the road, but a Sancho burrito filled with beef, cheese, lettuce, onions and sour cream can be eaten with ease, even in a hurry.
Zorbas Mediterranean Cuisine
6014 N. May Ave.
405-947-7788
Mediterranean food is built to move. Maybe thats part of the reason the diet is considered so healthy everybody eating is in constant motion. Zorbas grilled beef, chicken and vegetable kebabs are easy to transport, as are its always-delicious gyros. Whatever the choice, those getting takeout should call ahead; Zorbas cuisine attracts big crowds at lunch and dinner, so avoid any wait and order by phone.
Tai Pei Chinese Restaurant
5005 N. MacArthur Blvd.
405-787-7427
Takeout doesnt get much more traditional than Chinese food from Tai Pei. Great for a quick bite on the go or a full-fledged feast at the kitchen table, this Warr Acres Chinese restaurant has been a local favorite for many years. Start off with a bowl of egg flower or wonton soup, and then check out the sweet and tangy tangerine-flavored beef or dig into the crispy fried goodness of frittered garlic chicken. Its the answer to classic Chinese takeout cravings.
Iron Star Urban Barbeque
3700 N. Shartel Ave.
405-524-5925
If such a thing as diet barbecue exists, its definitely not in a plate of ribs. The juicy, succulent taste of ribs comes from fat that melts while theyre being slowly smoked. Some of the best in town are available at Iron Star, where the staff is happy to pack a portion of perfectly seasoned ribs, delicious whole fried okra and the restaurants signature fancy mac and cheese. Best of all, Iron Stars portions are big enough that leftovers from tonights dinner can easily become tomorrows lunch.