Sit Back and Enjoy A Memorial Day Picnic

Between end of year sports, school parties and other spring activities are you also trying to plan a big Memorial Day picnic? Does the thought of spending your holiday weekend shopping and in a hot kitchen cooking leave you longing to return to the office?

If so, by ordering a take out picnic dinner for the weekend celebration, you can have the best of both worlds. This allows you to have the enticing smell of slow cooked barbeque but without all the fuss and mess. There are several local places where you can buy prepared meals and sides for holiday festivities. 

If you are planning a classic barbecue with at least 10 people consider Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. Choose from many meat styles including Southern pulled pork and pork ribs. Then pick three sides that could include coleslaw, green beans with bacon or jalapeno beans. Rolls, relish tray, barbecue sauce and paper ware will also be provided.

A 10 person minimum order is required for delivery and most selections are approximately $10.00 a person.  Crofton manager Chanting Spring requests at least two days notice for delivery because of the busy weekend. “I highly recommend the spicy cheddar sausage. Dickey’s tripled the cheddar in the original sausage recipe. Plus, it has jalapeños and fresh cracked pepper,” said Spriggs. 

For a hungry crowd, order from Boston Market Catering's Hot Buffet. This would include beef brisket plus your choice of two gourmet sides, such as Southwest Santa Fe Salad and Garlic Dill New Potatoes, cornbread with butter and honey, plus disposable plates and flatware. All this for around $11 a person with a five person minimum. Extras such as a savory spinach and artichoke dip with crackers can be purchased. If there is any room left after this extensive meal, they can also supply many desserts including pies, cookies and brownies. 

Boston Market manager Jacquelyn Winglow says the best way to order is to go on-line to www.BostonMarket.com.  She recommends at least one day notice for delivery. She also added, “My favorite side dishes are the loaded mashed potatoes and the sweet potato casserole. My husband’s favorite is the macaroni and cheese; he says it’s better than what I make at home!”

Both Giant and Safeway are offering holiday meals-to-go. The easy to heat and serve meals include a choice of wing platters featuring buffalo, honey barbecue, or spicy assorted varieties. They come with a choice of Blue Cheese, Ranch or Barbecue dipping sauces. Giant also carries a sandwich platter that has 24 mini twisted roll sandwiches of roast beef, honey ham and turkey breasts. They also carry a large number of fruit, veggie and shrimp platters. 

Both stores recommend ordering as soon as possible because of the holiday weekend. Safeway has a special holiday hotline set up for orders, simply call 1-888-358-7328. Giant orders can be placed on-line at www.giantfood.com or by calling 1-888-4myGiant.com. Or simply stop by your local store’s deli department.      

So, if you are trying to plan a big family picnic but don’t want to actually do the cooking you must place your order as soon as possible. Be sure to double check the time the meal must be picked up. Then all you will need to do is warm up the food according to the instructions enclosed with the meal. You will have the wonderful scents of food cooking in your home with no food preparation time or work – you need only sit back and enjoy the compliments!