Big night in: where to find your state's best takeout
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The best restaurants for a night in
If you’re sick of your own cooking but don’t feel comfortable eating out just yet, it’s time to order restaurant-quality food in. Here’s a list of our favorite restaurants that deliver in every state, including casual noodle bars and high-end steakhouses, so you can eat your most-loved meals from the comfort of your living room. Be sure to check individual restaurant websites for the latest opening hours and offerings.
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Alabama: Cajun Bistro Express, Birmingham
If you’re a fan of Cajun cooking, place an order at Cajun Bistro Express. The hole-in-the-wall joint has amazing shrimp and grits, chicken quesadillas, and fries topped with crab, and can be delivered through DoorDash and Grubhub. Customers say it’s on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for as the food arrives hot and is consistently top tier. Check the Facebook page for the latest updates.
Alaska: The Hungry Robot, Fairbanks
Looking for pizza delivery in Fairbanks? The Hungry Robot is a top choice. Customers praise the artistry that goes into unique creations such as The Dilly Dilly, covered in garlic sauce, mozzarella and crunchy dill pickles. Those looking for low-carb options should check out the mushroom “pizzas” which are portobello mushrooms covered in toppings. To order, head to the website or give the restaurant a call.
Arizona: Ginger Zing, Mesa
This reliable pan-Asian restaurant is a local favorite. Customers rave about the generous portions and the fact that the food always arrives on time, fresh and piping hot. The honey sesame chicken, orange chicken, crispy beef and wonton soup are the dishes to order. Try it out for yourself by finding it on Grubhub.
Arkansas: Renzo's Pasta & Italian Steakhouse, Fayetteville
If Renzo’s Pasta & Italian Steakhouse in Fayetteville isn’t already on your home delivery list, add it now. While the restaurant experience is great, its food is equally outstanding delivered to your doorstep. So head to the website and place an order for a steak or best-selling dish Tessie’s Chicken & Shrimp: spaghetti topped with chicken, shrimp, prosciutto, caramelized onions and mushrooms, in a chardonnay alfredo sauce.
California: Wei Wei Asian Express, San Diego
Craving Chinese? Wei Wei Asian Express is loved for its fast delivery times, reasonable prices and big portions of hot food. Customers wax lyrical about the honey and walnut shrimp (which comes with ginormous shrimp) and the salt and pepper chicken wings. Plus, if you order on the website, delivery is free for orders over $25.
Colorado: Maine Shack, Denver
One of the best places for delivery right now in Denver is Maine Shack, a New England-inspired seafood joint serving a range of artisan lobster rolls, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, clam chowder, and fried shrimp and scallops. The lobster is tender, succulent and buttery, and the mac ‘n’ cheese, with mascarpone, Cheddar and big chunks of lobster, is unlike any you've had before. To place an order, head to the website and choose between DoorDash and Grubhub.
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Connecticut: The Art of Yum, Waterbury
This modern fusion restaurant is a lovely place to visit, but also a mainstay for people preferring home delivery during the pandemic – just place an order through the website. You can get American-style breakfasts, lunches and dinners such as omelets, steaks and French toast, as well as healthy dishes such as crusted salmon with spinach and sweet potato hash. The mofongo balls (Puerto Rican plantain balls with spiced sofrito sausage) are not to be missed.
Delaware: Adobo Alley, Wilmington
Those unfamiliar with Filipino cooking need to place an order at Adobo Alley in Wilmington, which is available through DoorDash. Dishes such as the chicken adobo (chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce), lechon (fried pork belly) and pandesal (bread rolls) are raved about and the wings are said to be the best around. Don’t forget to check out desserts such as the cassava cake, like a cross between a flan and a brownie.
Florida: Capone’s Italian Pizzeria, Hollywood
This much-loved Italian offers thin and crispy NY-style pizza with “oil dripping” as well as Chicago-style deep dish pies. Customers call them the best ever and say the toppings are top-notch. The Meat Lovers pizza with mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, bacon and meatball slices is particularly revered. However, the rigatoni ala vodka, chicken parm and garlic rolls are also worth a look in. Head to the website for updates and to order.
Georgia: Bon Ton, Atlanta
This quirky brunch and lunch restaurant is a local favorite for po’boys, boiled and fried seafood and cocktails, and since the pandemic, it has moved to takeout and delivery only via Grubhub, UberEats and DoorDash. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. From the fried catfish and shrimp burger to the seafood and sausage gumbo, it’s all well-seasoned and excellent.
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Hawaii: Taqueria El Ranchero, Wahiawa
Satisfy your Mexican cravings with an order from Taqueria El Ranchero in Wahiawa. It serves shrimp tacos, breakfast burritos, cheesy quesadillas and nachos so loaded with grilled beef, salsa, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and beans you run out of chips before toppings. Find it on DoorDash or Quick Cuisine – it won’t disappoint.
Idaho: Tarbush Kitchen, Boise
This Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant in Boise has been a savior during the stay-at-home order. Customers are a fan of the juicy shawarma chicken (cooked on a spinner and shaved), which comes with rice, salad and hummus. The lamb kebabs, dolmas (stuffed vine leaves), crispy falafels and baba ghanoush (eggplant dip) are also favorites. Best of all, the portions are so generous, you can get two meals out of one. It can be ordered on UberEats.
Illinois: Chicken Lit Tenders & Wings, Naperville
This is an absolute must-try for fried-chicken lovers in Naperville and its surrounding areas. You can get chicken tenders, wings and chicken burgers, plus other snacks such as fried shrimp, fried oysters, mac ‘n’ cheese bites, corn fritters and fries. It arrives hot, fresh and crispy and the variety of sauces you can choose between, such as Jamaican jerk, spicy bourbon and creamy sriracha, is impressive. Head to Chicken Lit's website to place an order.
Indiana: Thaitanium, Indianapolis
Thaitanium is great for date night in normal times, and it has now become one of the best places for Thai delivery in the area through DoorDash. For appetizers, the crab rangoons (crispy dumplings filled with crab) and spring rolls are top choices. The main dishes are astronomical in size and include pad Thai, green curry and drunken noodles (flat noodles with egg and veggies in a Thai basil sauce). You’re also asked to choose a spiciness level and be warned: hot means very hot.
Check out the best date night restaurant in every state for more inspiration
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Iowa: Lark & Owl, Iowa City
A little spot run by an immigrant Chinese family, Lark & Owl is a favorite for brunch food such as deep-fried dough sticks, sticky rice balls covered in sesame, wonton soup and steamed bao. Due to COVID-19 it has merged with its sister restaurant Jiang Hu Asian to serve authentic Chinese street food from one kitchen. Visit the website to support them by ordering a big bowl of comforting hand-pulled noodles.
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Kansas: Bangkok Kitchen, Kansas City
This Thai restaurant only opened at the start of 2020, but has decided to close its dining room and serve customers for takeout and delivery only due to COVID-19. It’s available on most delivery platforms and is said to be the best in Kansas City. Menu highlights are the pad see-eew (wide homemade noodles with broccoli, egg and garlic in a sweet soy sauce), massaman curry (a coconut and peanut curry which is a nice medium spice), chicken potstickers and crispy crab rangoon.
Kentucky: six forks burger co., Louisville
Louisiana: Bao & Noodle, New Orleans
This little Chinese restaurant is loved by locals and offers free home delivery to Marigny and Bywater if you phone up. Order the fried steamed bao, crispy on one side, pillowy on the other and stuffed with ground pork, ginger, garlic and chives. You won’t regret it. The braised lamb noodles and the tender tea-smoked duck with marinated cucumbers and radishes are other crowd-pleasers.
Maine: Portland Pie Company, Portland
Usually a great place to get a pint and a pizza, Portland Pie Company offers home delivery through its website. Choose between beer, basil, garlic, wheat, gluten-free and cauliflower dough. Then select your toppings such as vegan-friendly cheese, walnut, pear, pineapple, provolone, meatballs, breaded chicken and Parmesan. Fans of NY-style pizza love it.
Maryland: Royal Karma, Annapolis
People of Annapolis adore Royal Karma for its service and high-quality Indian dishes. It offers classics such as tandoori chicken (roasted chicken marinated in yogurt and spices), butter chicken (a mildly-spiced tomato curry), lamb vindaloo (a more spicy lamb curry) and freshly baked naan, which you can order through its website.
Massachusetts: Seoul Jangteo, Boston
If you’re a fan of Korean food, an order from Seoul Jangteo in Boston is a no-brainer. Opened in 2020, it serves mouth-watering dishes such as tangsuyook (deep-fried pork in sweet and sour sauce), pork gukbap (noodles in pork bone broth) and jjajang noodles (homemade noodles in black bean sauce). Customers say it’s even better than the Korean place that existed in its location before. Call the restaurant to make an order.
Michigan: Noori Chicken, Grand Rapids
This Korean fried-chicken restaurant is an unmissable choice on Grubhub. The chicken wings are big, crispy and come with pickled radishes and coleslaw – or you can order them naked and have a choice of dipping sauces such as roasted garlic butter, Thai chili and honey barbecue, plus coleslaw and blue cheese dressing. What’s more, orders always arrive hot and on time.
Minnesota: Broders’ Pasta Bar, Minneapolis
For the best pasta you’ve had in your life, order home delivery from Broders’ Pasta Bar in Minneapolis. The favorite is the tagliarini with prosciutto and truffle cream – the ribbon pasta is super fresh, the cream sauce delicious and the truffle not too overwhelming as it sometimes can be. The burrata with heirloom tomatoes, basil and balsamic, if you’ve got space, is a winning starter. Expect staff to be super friendly when you phone up and for the order to arrive hot.
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Mississippi: Athenos Greek and Lebanese, Madison
This Greek and Lebanese restaurant is always busy, whether it’s for dine-in, takeout or delivery via DoorDash. Well-seasoned, moist and tender, the chicken shawarma is one of the best around, and the falafels, baba ghanoush, gyro plate and stuffed grape leaves are spoken of highly too. When things are back to normal, you should get a table at the restaurant too, as the staff are friendly and the space is beautiful.
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Missouri: Banksia Bakehouse, Kansas City
A popular bakery and lunch spot, Banksia Bakehouse has been a staple during lockdown. Customers love the salads, such as the jerk chicken with avocado, grapefruit, paneer, pine nuts and greens. Meanwhile, the brie and apple sandwich is said to be one of the best in Kansas City. You can also order frozen spinach rolls to heat and eat later. See the website for updates and place your order through Grubhub.
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Montana: Bridge Pizza, Missoula
A hip pizza joint with two locations in Missoula, Bridge Pizza uses seasonal produce and its beef, pork and eggs are all sourced from local farms. The pizzas have thin, foldable crusts and customers love the Orange St, a white pizza topped with feta, romesco (a roast tomato sauce) and artichoke hearts. Visit the website to place an order from your nearest store – your food always arrives hot and fast.
Nebraska: Hiro 88, Omaha
This stylish restaurant is one of the best options for sushi in Nebraska with three locations in Omaha and two in Lincoln. The Husker Roll (tempura beef tenderloin, asparagus, cream cheese and eel) and the Las Vegas Roll (white tuna, crab, cream cheese, roe tempura and eel sauce) are star dishes. The delivery is also fast and the quality always spot on. Visit the website to order from your nearest location.
Nevada: Big B’s Texas BBQ, Henderson
A traditional Texas-style barbecue restaurant, Big B’s Texas BBQ is well-loved by dine-in customers, but if you’d prefer home delivery you can order it through Grubhub. It serves insanely good brisket, meaty beef ribs, tri-tips (from the bottom of the sirloin) with a beautiful smoky pink ring, stupidly saucy pulled pork and hot links (sausages). Top sides include the potato salad and baked beans.
New Hampshire: Buba Noodle, Manchester
If you love Vietnamese food, place an order at Buba Noodle, which devoted customers have called the best pho in Manchester. They love the richness of the broth used to make the beef pho, which comes with rare steak, brisket and meatballs, as well as the chicken pho. The appetizers, such as crispy calamari, panko shrimp and spring rolls, should not be overlooked either. You can order directly from the website.
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New Jersey: ITA Italian Kitchen, Jersey City
New Mexico: Sushi Xuan Asian Grill, Albuquerque
Get your sushi fix in Albuquerque at Sushi Xuan. It’s on Grubhub and DoorDash, and arrives fast and fresh. If you’re stuck with what to order, go with the Air Force roll (shrimp tempura, tuna and crab meat) and the Lady in Red roll (green chili tempura, crab meat, spicy mayo, sriracha and eel sauce). Words can’t fully explain how good the Korean spicy chicken stir-fry dish is, either.
New York: Rocco Steakhouse, New York
This exclusive steakhouse is a treat to visit, but an even bigger indulgence to order from on UberEats, Grubhub or DoorDash. Though on the pricey side, the restaurant offers first-rate porterhouse, rib-eye, sirloin, bone-in filet mignon and tomahawk steaks, all perfectly cooked and with tremendous flavor. The creamed spinach is the best side dish. For dessert get the pecan pie.
North Carolina: Jasmine Grill, Charlotte
A Mediterranean takeout and dine-in spot, Jasmine Grill never disappoints. People rave about how fresh and flavorful the food is, the generous portions and their presentation. You can’t go wrong with the grilled chicken or any shawarma or kebab (the options include beef, lamb, chicken and shrimp). Plus the rice, hummus, baba ghanoush and garlic sauce will elevate your meal even more. Place your order online through the website.
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North Dakota: Bruno’s Pizza, Bismarck
Bismarck locals love Bruno’s for its adventurous pizzas and it’s a popular spot to grab a beer too. However, if you’re staying at home you can place an order for delivery on the website. Expect options like Mac and Cheese (pizza topped with macaroni, Cheddar, American cheese and bacon) and The Kraut (pizza with bacon, Italian sausage and sauerkraut). The Taco (pizza with taco sauce, ground beef, lettuce, chips, tomato and Cheddar) is one of the most ordered.
Ohio: Sky Asian Cuisine, Kettering
If you want outstanding sushi, order from Sky Asian Cuisine. Its best sellers are the Kettering roll (a shrimp tempura and avocado roll topped with seared filet mignon, spicy tuna and eel sauce) and the American Dream roll (a rock shrimp tempura roll topped with lobster, crab meat and creamy sauce). But it’s also known for its customer service: even when you order for delivery, the food arrives on time and looks beautiful.
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Oklahoma: Notorious P.I.E., Norman
On DoorDash, Postmates, UberEats and Grubhub you’ll find Notorious P.I.E., which serves NY-style thin crust and Chicago deep-dish pizzas that have been called amazing. Big Peppa with red sauce, a five-cheese blend, pepperoni and fried pepperoni crumble is a popular choice. Meanwhile, mavericks can create their own choosing a base, sauce and toppings such as goats’ cheese, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives and balsamic glaze.
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Oregon: Pine State Biscuit, Portland
The biscuits served at Pine State Biscuit in Portland are regularly called life changing and you can place an order through the website and try them at home. The Reggie Deluxe, a fried chicken, bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich served with gravy, is a super decadent choice and big enough to share (or to have over two meals). It’s the perfect pick-me-up on a gloomy Monday morning.
Now take a look at the best breakfast joint in every state
Pennsylvania: Noodlehead, Pittsburgh
Thai home delivery from Noodlehead in Pittsburgh never fails to impress. Customers have called the pork belly steamed buns the best they’ve eaten. The Chiang Mai curry (noodles, chicken, pickles and crispy shallots in a coconutty yellow curry sauce) is a failsafe option and the pad Thai is one of the spiciest around. Place an order for home delivery through the website – it's free over $20.
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Rhode Island: Bar ‘Cino, Newport
The chic Italian-inspired Bar ‘Cino in Newport is a favorite for cocktails and comfort food. Must-try dishes are the tender Chianti-braised beef short rib which comes with mashed potatoes and roast summer veg and the rich and saucy rigatoni bolognese. For dessert get the tiramisu. You can order home delivery through the website or phone the restaurant to place an order. Customers say it arrives quickly.
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South Carolina: Cuban Gypsy Pantry, North Charleston and Summerville
This charming Cuban sandwich spot has two outposts, and you can order for delivery via its website. Get the Cuban sandwich, filled with pulled pork, salami, ham, cheese, pickles and mustard, which is pressed until crispy and toasted, and the green fries covered in cilantro, mustard, pickles, scallions and Parmesan. It stays hot and doesn’t get soggy during delivery. People claim it’s up there with the best food in the area.
South Dakota: BB’s Pub N Grill, Sioux Falls
Though you may be missing the pub during the pandemic, you can still order from BB’s Pub N Grill in Sioux Falls and create the experience at home. The Black & Bleu Burger with Cajun seasoning and blue cheese is said to be amazing. But if you fancy something out of the norm, the menu is vast, including items such as chislic (a local speciality of cubed red meat) and goulash (Hungarian meat and veg soup). Call the restaurant or check out the website or delivery apps to place an order.
Tennessee: Marlowe's Ribs & Restaurant, Memphis
You know it’s good barbecue if it has been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Customers love the smoked half chicken and meaty ribs from Marlowe’s Ribs & Restaurant, both of which come with beans and coleslaw. The juicy pulled pork is another best seller. For sides, get the corn fritters and the onion rings. Place an order for home delivery through the restaurant’s website – if you’re lucky it might arrive in a pink limo.
Texas: West Texas Chophouse, El Paso
West Texas Chophouse is typically the place to go in El Paso for incredible steaks, sides and service and, since the coronavirus, customers have been turning to home delivery. From the filet mignon to the tomahawk and rib-eye, the steaks are seared perfectly, juicy and full of flavor, and are served with a baked potato topped with chives, butter and sour cream. Head to the website to place an order.
Utah: Ginger Street, Salt Lake City
Ginger Street is a hip, Southeast Asian, hawker-style street-food restaurant, and enthusiastic customers say the crispy orange chicken and spicy pad Thai are the best they’ve had in their life. The fluffy pork belly buns with hoisin and pickled cucumbers and the crispy duck rolls are also essential orders. The service is equally good whether you dine in, takeout or opt for home delivery, which you can do through the website.
Vermont: Bangkok Bistro in the Alley, Burlington
What’s better than going out for Thai and craft cocktails? Having them delivered to your home. You can order both drinks and food through the website of the much-loved Bangkok Bistro in the Alley. Get the potstickers served with panang sauce and the chive dumplings, which are vegan and gluten free. Other winners are the Sam Rod – crispy duck served with steamed veg and basil tamarind sauce – and a lychee mule.
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Virginia: 19 Italian Bistro, Virginia Beach
This Italian restaurant is just the place if you’re craving comfort food classics such as eggplant Parmesan, chicken piccata (chicken cutlets in lemon, butter and capers), chicken parm or spaghetti and meatballs in Virginia Beach. The pizzas are NY-style with thin, crispy crusts and you can’t go wrong with a margherita, Hawaiian or pepperoni. Place your order online and expect the food to arrive early and still hot.
Washington: Dumpling The Noodle, Seattle
Dumpling The Noodle has plenty of fans in the Seattle area and it's super easy and quick to order through the website. Not sure what to get? Check out the pork onion buns and the different types of dumplings, which are all perfectly crisp. Looking for something heartier? The chili beef lamen and the braised beef lamen are both comforting noodle soups.
West Virginia: Surin of Thailand, Huntington
A great go-to for Thai in Huntington, Surin of Thailand is loved for its large portions, reasonable prices and top quality dishes, which always arrive warm and well-packed. Everything from the green, yellow and red curries to the chicken panang (chicken and bell peppers in a coconut, basil and red curry paste sauce) is said to be perfect. You can order home delivery through Grubhub and there are locations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee too.
Check out how to make your favorite takeout dishes at home
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Wisconsin: Rice N Roll Bistro, Milwaukee
While the dining room is closed at Rice N Roll Bistro, hungry customers can still order sushi through the restaurant’s website. It’s the local favorite because it has healthy options such as brown rice and light sauces, plus the food arrives hot and the quality is consistent. To get the full experience, be sure to order the Rice N Roll dumplings filled with steamed chicken, shrimp, water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms and cilantro.
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Wyoming: Firehouse Pizza Wood Fired, Casper