Make This Christmas the Tastiest Ever: Last-Minute Meals To-Go

Make This Christmas the Tastiest Ever: Last-Minute Meals To-Go

Pies at Cleburne Cafeteria

This season is certainly one for the books. But why not turn the unprecedented madness into an excuse to indulge in an out-of-the-box meal (and leave the cleanup to a minimum)? It's not too late to call in your order. Here are our picks for an innovative last-minute holiday meal.


Breakfast for Dinner?!

State Fare is offering its Southern At-Home Brunch Kit, available for pickup with 24 hours notice at both locations — Sugar Land and Memorial. It comes with six cathead biscuits, a pound each of Applewood-smoked bacon and housemade breakfast sausage, a dozen fresh eggs, a quart of gravy, and pancake mix with strawberry jam, butter and syrup — all for $50. Tack on mimosas or Bloody Marys for an extra-festive feast!

Pancakes from State Fare

Similarly, popular breakfast chain Snooze has a few different to-go kits to make Christmas morning especially delectable. Each serves 4-6; choose from the Holiday Overnight Cranberry Brioche French Toast baking kit ($50), the savory Harvest Casserole kit ($55), or the Pancake Party kit ($40).

Flavorful Malaysian Feast

Phat Eatery's large-format party trays feature a selection of the Malaysian restaurant's greatest hits, like beef rendang and chicken curry to stir-fried noodles, mango shrimp salad and more. A half-tray serves 8-10, and a full tray serves 16-20. There's also a Christmas American Chinese menu, with dishes like Yelo Chili Crab Rangoon and beef-and-broccoli with smoked oyster sauce, for an a la carte dinner — dine-in or to-go!

Satay from Phat Eatery

Hot Tamales, Cold Beer

Let the festivities continue — without dirtying the kitchen: The Rustic on Post Oak opens on Christmas night from 4-9pm, featuring housemade tamales and your choice of beverage off of its beer-bottle Christmas tree. Live music by Chris Boise begins at 6pm!

Pasta Party

B&B Italia's pre-fixe feast runs $65 per person, but with options like pumpkin ravioli, lobster bisque, Bolognese and prime rib, that's a great deal for an indulgent Christmas Eve meal. Wine pairings are available starting at $35 per person. Sister resto B.B. Lemon has takeout options beginning at 11am on Christmas Day.

All the Tradition, None of the Work

Cleburne Cafeteria has a mouthwatering menu of holiday faves, available dine-in or to-go: ham, turkey, dressing, salad, gravy, whole pies and sides like green-bean casserole, mac and cheese, candied yams and more. The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve for lunch, and Christmas Day from 11am-8pm.

Feed the Crowd

Weights + Measures has a to-go special that feeds six — stuffed pork tenderloin, roasted carrots, mashed potatoes, bacon-topped brussels sprouts, pork gravy and a loaf of fresh-baked bread — for $125. Tuesday, Dec. 22, is the last day to pre-order.

Food
As Escape Spa Expands in 2025, Owner Has Advice on Personal Growth: ‘Focus on Intention Setting’

CHANGE IS A good thing, and with the start of a new year, I always like to reflect on how far I've come and start fresh by setting self-care goals for the coming months. Personal growth is a passion for me, and also something I enjoy. Guiding a business through growth and change is also one of my passions, so I am very pleased to announce that Escape Spa is going to be expanding in 2025! We’re honored that we’ve built such a loyal following since opening in Cypress in July of 2022, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to grow our wellness and recovery sanctuary just outside of Houston.

Keep ReadingShow less

Concert of Arias finalists on the Wortham stage, including first place and audience choice winner Geonho Lee of South Korea, third from left. (Photo by Michael Bishop)

LONG ONE OF the HGO’s most exciting evenings on the calendar — Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers called it the best night of the year — the 37th Annual Concert of Arias and gala dinner afterward dazzled and inspired opera fans.

Keep ReadingShow less
Art + Entertainment

JUST IN TIME for the Lunar New Year on Wednesday, Jinya Ramen is opening its 70th (!) location in Pearland. Known for its thick, rich broth and flavorful noodles — thanks to the specialized water used to prepare its broth and the aging process its noodles undergo — Jinya also touts a wide array of authentic toppings, from tender pork chashu to shrimp wonton.

Keep ReadingShow less