You’ve got multiple school pickup times, after-school soccer practice, and a violin lesson all slated for the afternoon, leaving little time for home-cooked meals. These spots around the metro area offer meal deals for busy families looking for a quick grab-and-go or delivery option with home-cooked flavor.
Brider
Parents who work in downtown Denver have a convenient option for grabbing a full made-from-scratch dinner on the way home from the office. From the team behind Acorn and OAK at Fourteenth restaurants, Brider serves up seasonal food in their LoHi location. The family dinner special includes a whole rotisserie chicken, sweet potato and avocado salad, mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts, and kale and potatoes for $55. Order an hour before you plan to pick up. 1644 Platte St., Denver.
Brothers BBQ
Started in Denver by barbecue loving brothers Chris and Nick O’Sullivan, Brothers BBQ serves up a game day pack that feeds four to six people. The pack includes a slab of pork ribs, choice of one pound of beef brisket, pulled pork, or hot links, with two pints of sides and four buns for $55. Other party packs, as well as meat-by-the-pound and sides available in 1/2 pint to gallon sizes make it easy to put together a quick barbecue feast. Six locations in metro Denver.
Cracker Barrel
Families on the north end of town (and in Loveland and Colorado Springs) can grab a bit of the country comfort food from the rocking-chair-fronted Cracker Barrel, with their new southern fried chicken picnic box. The box includes 12 pieces of the southern fried chicken the 50-year-old chain is known for, honey for drizzling, choice of two country sides, and buttermilk biscuits for $34. Families have the option to add chocolate chip cookies or iced tea for an additional price. Orders must be made 30 minutes in advance of pickup. 350 W. 120th Ave., Northglenn.
Olive Garden
It’s hard to pass up the endless salad and breadsticks that eating-in at Olive Garden offers, but on busy days there is no time for the wait to get a table. Instead, grab the family-style lasagna bundle for $68 that serves up to eight people and includes lasagna with meat sauce, house salad, and a dozen breadsticks. Must be ordered four hours before pickup. Nine locations in metro Denver.
Parisi
What started as a small market on north Denver’s Tennyson Street in 1998, is now beloved among families for its fast-casual fare. Order the family meal at Parisi and choose from lasagna Bolognese for $38 or spaghetti or penne with choice of carbonara, pesto, Gorgonzola and walnuts, or pomodoro sauce for $36. All meals serve four people and come with Caesar salad and bread. Order 20 minutes before pickup. 4401 Tennyson St., Denver.
Post Brewing Co.
Forget about waiting for a table, bring home Post’s juicy, fried chicken and southern-with-a-twist sides. The Family Love meal feeds three to four and includes an eight-piece whole fried bird, two large sides, and four biscuits for $48. The mashed potatoes and green chili mac and cheese are always a win, or try the creamy grits, just ask for the tomato-onion gravy on the side to please picky eaters. If you have a big crew or hungry teens, go for the Big Bubba Family Love meal which feeds six to eight for $88. Four locations in metro Denver.
SupperBell
Chef Frank Bonanno’s team at SupperBell cooks and delivers tasty and healthy family dinners, so you don’t even need to leave the house. SupperBell’s family meals change every week, with options like pineapple chicken fried rice and a side of steamed broccoli. Families just reheat the meal in the oven for a delicious dinner. Family meals range from $29 to $39 and must be ordered before 3 p.m. for same-day delivery.
Whole Foods
In the prepared food section, Whole Foods offers family meals that won’t break the bank. Choose from options that change monthly like pasta with meatballs or rotisserie chicken mac and cheese for $20, and grab a side salad like a tomato mozzarella or Caesar salad for $13 that feeds up to six people. 15 locations in metro Denver.
