If you’re about ready to click your way to a completed shopping list online—stop! Consider shopping small at these independent toy stores in Dallas that have passionate employees ready to share their personal recommendations and tons of perks (think: local delivery or curbside pickup, free gift wrapping, and the opportunity to test-drive the merchandise). You can pick out the perfect gift for all the little ones on your list while supporting local businesses. It’s a win-win.
You’ll find loads of toy options and tons of helpful salespeople at The Toy Maven. They have three locations to choose from, or you can shop via their new website. Not sure what to get? You can narrow your options by age or interest to get some suggestions.
6025 Royal Lane
Dallas, TX
5600 W Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX
1275 East Southlake Blvd.
Southlake, TX Online: thetoymaven.com
2. Toys Unique!
You’ll love this toy store in Dallas as it is a local, family-owned business in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex that has been bringing continuous joy into children’s lives for 40 years. They offer complimentary gift wrapping, which definitely comes in handy when you remember you need a gift on the day of a party.
This chic boutique has a mix of everything from books, toys, and art supplies to apparel—with options, including gender-neutral, for babies through tweens. The store was created from a love of fashion and seeing happy kids dressed in clothes that make them feel confident and excited to begin each day. The store’s owners pride themselves on sourcing the best quality, natural fabrics, and conscientious production from the brands they select.
You’ll be totally impressed by the quality of toys offered at We Are the Missfits. That’s intentional— the products are cultivated to stimulate the brain and encourage self-expression through fashion, art, science, and literature (Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, anyone?). Sure, they also carry stuff that is just for fun, but prepare to feel inspired when in the store. If you can’t pop inside, that’s OK. They offer curbside pickup and free delivery within five miles of the store.
CAMP is a toy store and more—known for its totally unique shop-play hybrid experience in its locations across the country. Inside this CAMP store, visitors can take part in rotating themed experiences, kids are encouraged to try out loads of toys they have available, and there’s even a cafe for parents. Every surface is a seamless blend of play and product.
9830 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX Online: camp.com
6. The Toy Store
The very reasonably named Toy Store in Snider Plaza offers eco-friendly, STEM-certified, and sustainable play toys for people of all ages. From baby toys to adult puzzles, they have you covered. And if you are super busy (like we know you are), they even offer free delivery within 10 miles.
Save some adorable snaps of your baby playing with their new toys—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
Nutritious, prepared meals directly to your home? Yes, please! These meal delivery services make it easy
Meal delivery is a parent’s best friend, especially this time of year. You can put in as much or as little effort as you’d like and still get dinner that’s mostly homemade on your table (or your lap—let’s be honest!). It’s 2023 and we’re working a lot smarter (and far less hard). We asked the country’s savviest moms to dish on the best meal delivery services so you can find one that’s right for you.
Did we mention most deliver throughout the United States? They’ve figured out how to pack, ship, and deliver your goodies so even when they travel across the country, they can still show up at your door like you swung by the grocery store yourself (which is definitely something we’re trying to cut down on here). Read on for amazing meal planning ideas so you can cut down on the time in the kitchen and spend more time where it counts: with your family.
Bite-Sized Finger Foods for Little Ones Learning to Self-Feed: Nurture Life
Nurture Life
Why we love it: If you're tired of yogurt drops and dinosaur nuggets, Nurture Life is the meal delivery service designed just for babies and toddlers (though the food's good enough for mom and dad, too).
What makes it unique: Choose from four categories when placing your order: Kid's Meals, Finger Foods, Mighty Bites Snacks, and Smoothies. The kid's meals include tried-and-true favorites like chicken and mac, as well as ones they know are winners with picky eaters like penne bolognese. Finger foods are ideal for little ones who have just progressed beyond purees as they are soft enough to mash, small enough to prevent choking, and easy to pick up. Get your kids hooked on their Mighty Bites Snacks since they look like the cookies cookies but are full of good-for-you ingredients.
For a Service That Actually Grows with Your Kids: Little Spoon
Little Spoon
Why we love it: You may know Little Spoon for their direct-to-consumer organic baby food. Good news for parents out of the baby food stage: they also offer Plates—meals for toddlers and big kids. Plates are healthy and nutritious, heat-and-eat meals made with the quality ingredients Little Spoon is known for. Plates has lots of different kiddo-approved recipes with a focus on seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. Dishes include Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs, Chicken Teriyaki, Chicken Pot Stickers, and Cauli Croquettes. And, of course, they still offer Babyblends Organic Baby Food.
What makes it unique: Baby food, finger food, big kid meals, snacks—what can't Little Spoon do? From their Babyblends Organic Baby Food, to Biteables Early Finger Food, to Plates Toddler + Kids Meals, to Lunchers Build-and-Eat Meals, to Smoothies Organic Pouches, to Snacks for a junk-free snacktime, Little Spoon grows with your little ones from 6+ months and beyond. It's also perfect for families with multiple kiddos.
What's the deal? Get 50% off your your first order (up to $40) with code NYE50
If You're Looking for Groceries That Turn into Meals: Hungryroot
Hungryroot
Why we love it: Hungryroot is the all-in-one grocery and recipe service. Browse their grocery aisles + their entire recipe catalog (that puts your groceries to delicious use). There are hundreds to choose from, and most of them cook up in as little as 10 minutes. But you're always in control. Take Hungryroot's suggestions, or choose exactly what you want, same as you do when you're grocery shopping at the store.
What makes it unique: Start by taking the Hungryroot quiz and telling them about yourself (your goals, how many people you're feeding, dietary needs, what you and your family like to eat for dinner). They'll create a cart filled with suggested groceries and recipes that fit your needs. Go ahead and check out, or edit your cart to create a box that works perfectly for you. All of it comes straight to your door.
What's the deal? 30% off + a free gift in every delivery for a limited time.
For Parents Who Want to Expose Little Ones to Big Flavors: Tiny Organics
Tiny Organics
Why we love it: We all want to raise adventurous eaters, but few of us have time to add bold or new dishes to the rotation. Tiny Organics steps in to help make it happen, with the goal of introducing your tot to their 100 first flavors before the age of 2. Their organic, plant-based finger-food blends are just right for littles perfecting their pincer grasp, whether they’re chomping on Coconut Curry, a Baby Burrito Bowl, or a Bananas Foster Breakfast Bowl.
What it costs: 12 meals every one, two, or four weeks/ $4-6 per meal; 24 meals every one, two, or four weeks/ $4.66 per meal.
What makes it unique: This stuff is serious brain food. Tiny Organics is a member of the Food and Nutrition Innovation Council at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, and all meals were created with input from a team of neonatal nutritionists (as well as a chef).
What's the deal? Save $20 when you opt for the 24-pack of meals.
If You Want All Sustainable Ingredients: Sunbasket
Sun Basket
Why we love it: Sunbasket focuses on organic, sustainably sourced ingredients. All meal kit recipes are approved by in-house dietitians to comply with USDA dietary guidelines, and meals are typically between 500 and 800 calories. It offers a good variety for people on specific diets including those following paleo, vegetarian, and gluten-free meal plans. All you need is salt, pepper, and oil—the kit provides the rest, plus step-by-step instructions (and most meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook). You can select two to four recipes per week to feed two to four people. You can also mix and match across meal categories, ensuring there’s something for everyone at your table, whether it’s Spicy Kung Pao Chicken with Cashews and Black Rice or Pappardelle with Pork Sausage, Brussels Sprouts, and Feta.
What makes it unique? Sunbasket ensures their packaging is almost completely recyclable and sources only humanely raised meat. If you like to support companies who “do good always,” Sunbasket could be your jam.
What’s the deal? $90 off across 4 boxes plus free shipping.
Why we love it:HelloFresh’s meal kits help you make tasty, satisfying food that’s simple without being boring. Some home cooks find their meals among the least intimidating of all meal delivery services, and dishes like Miso Peach Pork Chops or Eggplant and Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs are just enough out of the ordinary to be interesting without requiring a heroic effort on your part.
What makes it unique? Their back-to-school snack and meal bundles are here to save you from your school lunch rut. The snacks and bundles start as low as $3.99 and are available in HelloFresh’s recently launched HelloFresh Market.
What’s the deal? Up to $200 off and free breakfast for life when you subscribe.
Why we love it: This cook-at-home food delivery service partnered with Martha Stewart is here to help harried families discover their inner Martha. The menu features 29 choices every week and the website tags meals as family-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, and other categories. Favorites include Sheet Pan Fish Tacos and Cheesy Butternut Squash Gnocchi. The website provides big, colorful step-by-step photos for careless cooks and kids who want to help.
Why we love it: Purple Carrot’s recipes are entirely plant-based, and their team chooses meals for you, eliminating the need for you to log in by a certain date to make your own choices. Plus, they put an innovative spin on plant-based meals with dishes like Spicy Mango Tempeh with Roasted Broccoli Flatbreads with Cashew Cheese and Arugula.
What makes it unique? Don't want to cook? They have prepared meals as well!
Why We Love It: Parents rave that Gobble is the fastest and tastiest meal delivery service out there. They feature DIY dinner kits that cook in three steps and under 15 minutes (many of them in one pan). Gobble takes the prep work out by providing pre-cooked sauces, grains, pasta, pre-chopped ingredients, and/or pre-sliced vegetables and meat. It's currently available in all of the continental US except Montana.
What Makes It Unique: Watching your weight? There are also 15-minute lean and clean recipes that are 600 calories or less, low carb, and feature lean proteins and no filler grains.
Why we love it: Blue Apron pioneered the concept of sending a week’s worth of meals to your doorstep in an effort to get more people cooking by removing many hassles of meal prep. Their years of experience mean they know what they’re doing and their large size also means they’re able to take some innovative, high-tech steps to shape how food is grown, harvested, and distributed.
What makes it unique? With a decade of deliveries, Blue Apron is pretty much a sure bet for delicious meals with stellar instructions. And you might just up your cooking game while you're at it!
What’s the deal? Up to 25 free meals across 6 orders plus free shipping on the first order.
For Parents Making Specific Eating Choices: Green Chef
Green Chef
Why we love it: Whatever dietary choices you’re making at home, Green Chef has a plan for you. Meal plans include Keto, Vegetarian, Quick & Easy, Protein-Packed, Mediterranean, and Gluten Free. Plus, it’s easy to whip up the meals after a busy day because each recipe and kit bag are color-coded, so you’ll know what to grab from the fridge.
Why it’s unique: Besides offering such a diverse range of dietary preferences, it was the first and only Keto-approved meal delivery service. And, the meals come with one-of-a-kind sauces that add diverse flavors to the meals.
What's the deal? Get $250 off and free shipping on the first box.
Why we love it: With lots of tasty meal choices and customization options, Home Chef meal delivery service appeals to busy moms and picky eaters alike. Choose from meal kits like Pork and Guacamole Tostadas, Gouda Truffle Fondue Beef Burgers, or Chile Lime Butter Mahi-Mahi. You pick the serving size, meal frequency, and your family’s eating style (omnivore, meat eaters, pescatarian, etc.). We like that Home Chef specifies how long each meal kit will take to make and that you can specify if you are calorie- or carb-conscious.
What makes it unique? With meal options, delivery-day options, and the ability to add on meals, cooked proteins, and treats like smoothies and fresh fruit, Home Chef is a winner for new moms. Menus are set five weeks in advance so you can plan out your meals for weeks at a time.
What’s the deal? $30 off your first order and $10 off your second.
Why we love it: How about 100 percent plant-based, organic, non-GMO, chef-prepared entrees, soups, and juices that just show up at your front door whenever you want them to? Then look no further than Veestro.
There are no, zero, zilch animal products of any kind here, ever! Chick'n Nuggets with chipotle dipping sauce complete with veganaise will do the trick every time for your kiddos and no one will miss the meat. Veestro food is available a la carte and they also carry a surprisingly delicious weight loss menu plan. As with most vegetarian cuisine: most meals have nuts in them so be careful with a nut allergy, but all meals are completely dairy-free and don't contain other allergens.
Why we love it: Yumble has kid friendly cuisine down to a science. The New York-based company (which now ships nationwide) specializes in ready-to-pack lunches that kids won't trade in the cafeteria. PB&J croissants, mac and cheese, pizza—the stuff they usually ask for that we don't always have time to whip up and pack—delivered ready to grab-and-go.
What makes it unique: Complete your lunch by selecting 2 sides from Yumble's range of fruit or veggie inspired options, and don't forget to add a snack. Oh, and did we mention there's no refrigeration required? How easy is that?
Why we love it: Long for the microwave dinners of the old days—without the "Guess That Meat" flavor of your high school cafeteria? Freshology—also called Diet To Go—delivers chef-prepared meals, ready to reheat and eat. Freshology drops tasty, calorie-controlled, already-prepared dishes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks) onto your doorstep. They’re all about helping you discover nutritious and affordable meals that’ll help you lose weight or support your healthy lifestyle.
What makes it unique: There's a variety of menus, including Keto-friendly, vegetarian, and diabetes-friendly. This gives “heat and eat” a whole new meaning.
Why we love it: Tovala is perfect for the non-chef or new mama because it literally requires one minute of prep and no cutting or chopping. Order your meals (or even shop like normal), then use the signature Smart Oven to completely cook your meal to perfection. Meals cook in 20 minutes or less and you can choose from tons of options, with 14 new items being added every week.
What makes it unique: No other meal delivery services offer the ability to cook on their own! The Tovala Smart Oven allows you to scan meal cards or regular grocery store codes and then cooks each item accordingly. Currently, you can scan more than 750 grocery items from brands like Annie's, Pillsbury, and Dr. Praeger's, and use it to steam, toast, bake, and broil.
What's the deal? Save $200 during their Holiday Sale.
For Plant-Based Meals That Actually Taste Great: Splendid Spoon
Splendid Spoon
Why we love it: Splendid Spoon’s meals and smoothies come ready to eat (absolutely no meal prep here!). Their delicious plant-based meals are a great opportunity to integrate more plants into your diet without the hassle of recipe research or multiple trips to the store. Everything on their menu is vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free, and tastes 100 percent delicious.
What parents are saying: You won’t be bored with Splendid Spoon’s variety. They offer a rotating menu of 40+ ready-to-eat smoothies, soups, and grain bowls. Meals are customizable and we love that they’re delivered cold to your door (read: if you’re at the office or out and aren’t home to accept delivery, the package won’t spoil right away). While there’s no dedicated kids’ menu, the meals and smoothies are kid-friendly. You may even get your kids to try a new flavor combo!
What's the Deal? First-time subscribers receive $105 off their first three boxes
Why we love it: HelloFresh’s latest meal delivery service is one of the newest and most affordable on the market and offers simple meals with wholesome ingredients that are totally appealing to families. Choose from 26 different recipes that change every week and include offerings like herb-crusted parmesan chicken, chicken, bacon, and gouda sandwiches, and sweet-soy glazed meatballs. If you're looking for something specific, they divide the meals into categories: spicy, vegetarian, family friendly, and customer favorites. There's even an option to choose add-ons like garlic bread, Caesar salad, and white cheddar mac and cheese.
What parents are saying: While there’s no dedicated kids’ menu, each meal (chicken sausage soup with couscous, dijon butter steak, and linguine Italiano are examples) is very kid friendly.
What's the deal? You can click on the "mystery box" to unlock a deal, and meals start at $5, so overall, it's a winner
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
Anxiety and depression support may be closer than you think
Dealing with anxiety and depression can be tough, and finding the right medication can be even tougher. Understatements? If you’re going through anxiety or depression, it probably feels that way. We’ve been there and know exactly how it feels. We truly do. The stigma surrounding mental health issues can make it difficult to want to seek help, and the process of going to a doctor and possibly getting a prescription can be daunting.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, you’re not alone. Not even close. And if we can do some of the heavy lifting to get the help you’re looking for, take the inconvenience and sometimes even the impersonalization out of the equation, we’re here to do that. Meet Hers. Hers is focused on women’s health, and offers access to medication for anxiety and depression, 100% online. That means you can get the help you need from the comfort of your own home, without the hassle of scheduling appointments or going to the pharmacy. When you’re struggling, the idea of leaving the house can be a lot to handle. With Hers, that’s not even an issue.
Hers
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication. All images courtesy of Hers.
Why do we like Hers?
Hers
Convenience is essential, especially as moms. When you hit a tough situation, you need simple access to help, regardless of your location. Hers understands this necessary aspect of mental health and provides a readily accessible platform. By offering a virtual space, Hers gives you access to mental health support from the comfort of your own space. You’ll have professional help from qualified licensed mental healthcare providers who can address what you’re going through and guide you to treatment that’s right for you.
There are no in-office visits required. There are no waiting rooms. Just treatment. It’s real anxiety and depression support, on your terms.
What can you expect?
Hers
Complete your online clinical intake form (no clipboard and hand cramps required)
Your provider will evaluate your information and create a treatment plan designed around your needs. You’ll be able to connect within 12-48 hours*
If medication is appropriate, you’ll get free delivery through Hers
No insurance? No problem. There’s no insurance required.
*On average. Actual appointment times vary by state and individual patient. Between 5/30/22 and 5/29/23, providers providing psychiatric care on the Hims & Hers platform were scheduled for appointments within 12 to 48 hours after intake form submission.
What are the medication options?
Hers
Through Hers, you can get access to a wide range of doctor-trusted medication to treat symptoms of anxiety & depression, including:
Generic for Lexparo® (Escitalopram) **most popular**
Generic for Sertraline® (Zoloft) **most popular**
Generic for Wellbutrin XL® (Buproprion XL) **depression only**
Generic for Prozac® (Fluoxetine)
Generic for Venlafaxine® (Effexor)
Generic for Buspar® (Busprione) **anxiety only**
Generic for Celexa® (Citalopram)
Generic for Cymbalta® (Duloxetine)
Generic for Paxil® (Paroxetine)
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of a few of these. That’s because they’re FDA-approved trusted medications. They work for many people struggling with anxiety and depression, and if your provider determines medication is right for you, they’ll go over these treatment options with you.
You can message directly with a healthcare provider to find the right mental health treatment plan for you, and there are unlimited dosage adjustments for best treatment outcomes, and unlimited online check ins.
What does it cost?
Hers
If prescribed, get your first month of treatment for only $25*. There’s no insurance required.
Hers believes that mental health treatment should be accessible and convenient. So do we. Visit Hers today to start changing your life. We’re so proud of you.
*A Subscription is required. After your first month, you pay $49 monthly for a three-month subscription ($123 for your first order, then $147 billed quarterly thereafter). Hers automatically renews your subscription until you cancel. You must cancel at least seven days before your renewal date to avoid further charges.
Everything you need to know to start your eco-friendly lifestyle here in Los Angeles
This guide is a great starting point for anyone looking to live greener in LA. From zero-waste refill stations nearby to plant-forward dining, here are all the spots to shop and when you want to be eco-conscience in Los Angeles.
What Is a Zero-Waste Refill Station?
A zero-waste refill station is a place (sometimes you can find them a pop-up or at a farmer’s market) where you can buy household goods, like laundry detergent, soap, shampoo, cleaners and various household goods, as well as baby, pet and personal goods—almost anything!—and use your own packaging. Typically refills are sold by volume—your jar or container is weighed before getting filled (tare), then weighed again after it’s been filled up—the weight of the container is deducted from the total weight of the refill.
How to Shop at a Zero-Waste Refill Station
It may sound intimidating but shopping at a zero-waste refill station is easy. Simply bring whatever container you want to store your product, choose your product and get it filled up! The best part? If you don’t have a container, you can purchase a jar or container at the shop—and now you have a container that you can reuse once it’s empty. While living a 100% eco-friendly life would be amazing, this is a way to take step in the right eco-friendly direction.
Sustain LA: Sustain LA is a certified, woman-owned small business, and was the first zero waste refill station in LA dedicated to disrupting the concept of convenience. At this store, you can refill or find in bulk for your daily necessities—soaps, shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, plus ingredients to DIY. Bring your own refillable containers, or check out theirs when you’re there.
Otherwild Goods & Services: Otherwild Goods offers an array of refillable bulk home cleaning and personal care products plus lo-and-no-waste reuseables under the moniker Otherwild General. This queer-identified woman-owned store, design studio and event space is dedicated to producing goods made within an ethically-sourced supply chain.
Recontained: This shop’s mission is to create an easy alternative to the single-use plastic that is so dramatically overflowing in landfills, oceans and waterways. By offering everyday consumables in a fun and easy refill format, everyone can make better choices. They’ve partnered with USA-based labs to ensure tha their products are healthy, safe, cruelty free, and almost all (except for one—due to the use of beeswax) are fully vegan.
prostainable: Established in 2019, this female-owned and operated, “low waste store for your zero waste intentions,” began with a mission to divert 1 million single use bottles from the waste streams by allowing customers to bring in their own containers to refill household cleaners and self care products. Now with two locations, they are successfully exceeding what they set out to achieve.
The Well: This shop, located in Topanga, finds the most effective, low-waste, non-toxic, locally made, biodegradable and plant based products available. Everything from low waste tools and accessories plus an ever-changing selection of second-hand goods can be found here.
The Refill Shoppe: Not only can you shop in person, you can also get over 50 different (often custom-scentable) bath, body, home and cleaning products delivered right to your door with their innovative, zero-waste, refill pouches.
BYO Long Beach: BYO Long Beach started at the beginning of 2017 with the goal to inspire locals to reduce their trash consumption and focus on reusable alternatives. “Perfection is not the goal, but progress—we can’t all do everything, but everyone can do something.” Refill products are available either by the ounce or millimeter (essential oils) and can be filled in your own container, a new container, a free donated container, or a free paper bag. Just tare, fill up, and weigh!
Café Gratitude: Plant-based pioneer Café Gratitude has been delivering quality, farm-to-table meals to Angelenos since 2004. And while there's nothing better than dining in and ordering their "I am adorable" almond butter banana wrap for the kids, and the "I am nourished" bowl for yourself (a breakfast wrap that will have you coming back day-after-day), you can also get your vegan fix at home with their deliverable meals. Choose from 3-day or 6-day meals plans; free delivery is available within select areas of Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County.
Gracias Madre: This no-brainer dining spot has won over vegans and non-vegans alike all over Los Angeles (and now has an outpost in Newport Beach for those south of the LA border). Our favorite weekend brunch go-tos? Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos with their signature margarita of course. And for the kids? The cinnamon oat pancakes or the french toast (of course).
Flower Burger: Unwilling to give up those those burger cravings but want to try swapping a meal or two every so often? Flower Burger serves up not only plant-based burgers that are satisfying to eat, the Italian-based brand also serves up Instagram-worthy burgers (picture burgers that have been rainbow-ized) utilizing 100% natural and vegan ingredients.
Monty’s Good Burger: Now with 5 locations, this diner-esque plant-based burger joint hits all the nostalgic feels for carnivores who care about the environment and want a mouthwatering burger. Their newest location, across from the Culver Steps, serves up their classics (don't forget to get the shake!) as well as their new-to-the-menu, Charlie's Chicken Sandwich.
Sage Plant-Based Bistro: Another favorite vegan spot to go, their extensive kid's menu will win over the under 12 set in no time—what's not to love about pancakes, burritos, french toast and grilled cheese sandwiches? For the parents, nothing beats their cauliflower wings or their tacos—you'll never miss an animal-based product here. And don't forget to order their vegan ice-cream—it's worth saving room for.
Whether you’re looking for party favors or a special treat, Portland’s got some of the best candy stores and chocolate shops around
If you’ve got kids, you know candy is part of deal. And not just because it’s a requirement for many holidays and special occasions (we’re looking at you, Halloween). With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought you might be on the hunt for some special sweets for your kids or your partner in parenting. That’s why we did the hard work of heading out in search of the best candy stores and chocolate shops in town. And boy, did we find more than a few that will satisfy your sweet tooth. So the next time you need a little extra sugar in your day, be sure to visit one of these spots.
Moonstruck? More like heart-struck by how insanely good these truffles are. Seriously, if you are a chocolate lover then you have to check out Moonstruck's array of truffles, caramels, bars, and bundles. Own your preferences because Moonstruck has it all, not to mention all their products are ethically sourced and handcrafted with local ingredients.
This sugar-filled store has it all—wildly-flavored sodas, retro candies, and saltwater taffy in every flavor imaginable. Packed with chocolates, candies, and hilarious gift items, the Portland location of Rocket Fizz is an explosion of fun. You can thrill your kids when you hit up this candy store where you'll find classic candies like Reeses, Mars Bars, and Pez—and adults are sure to love the retro-candy selection. Rocket Fizz has something for every kind of sweet tooth, so be sure to stop by if you're looking for a little bit of inspiration.
This factory outlet is in an unassuming building in east Portland, but it hides a fun stop for buckets of candy. Don’t miss the crowning glory at the entrance—a 40-foot chocolate waterfall. While you can’t dip a cup in and taste, it does make a great photo op. In the gift shop you can pick up salt water taffy, truffles, chocolate covered gummy bears, and more. Shop online for delivery, as well.
You'll feel like you've just stepped into a storybook at this adorable candy store just outside the city. With a color scheme that rivals the best-tasting cotton candy, and a vast inventory that's sure to please everyone that walks through the doors, this spot exudes charm. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find it here. Imported candy that's hard to get? They've got it. Bulk candy you can stock up on? Check. Seasonal sweets for every occasion? Absolutely. In fact, you don't even need a special occasion to stop in here.
Insider Tip: Lolli & Pops ins't the only candy store you'll find here. You can also pick up sweets at Candy Tyme and See's.
Clackamas Town Center 12000 S.E. 82nd Ave. Happy Valley, OR Online: lolliandpops.com
5. Creo Chocolate
Don't call it repetitive advertising, call it the truth: give the gift of love with chocolate. Why kid ourselves? The gift of love, when it all boils down, will always be those sweet, tiny morsels. Vegan? Creo believes everyone should enjoy chocolate all the same and has two customizable plant-based options. Their normal selections of chocolate bars, truffles, and caramels are available, too. Drooling yet? Good, jump in the car and get your sugar a little sugar—and get yourself something while you're at it.
Chocolate this, dairy that, gluten here, gluten there—how in the heck is someone who has a restricted diet supposed to indulge in the deliciousness of sweets with all this run-of-the-mill chocolate? Never fear, Azar Indulgences in SW Portland has a variety of chocolates that are dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. Don't miss out on a day plied with chocolate without having some yourself. Head to Azar to swoop up these restriction-friendly delights ASAP. Azar sells boxes, bars, and individual chocolates, depending on how big that sweet tooth of yours is.
Here's a quick head's up: you will go to one of The Meadow's four locations for chocolate, but you might leave with more than just sugar. If you love to browse, this store is the place for you. Who knows, perhaps your hunt for an amazing chocolate shop will land you with a new salt block, a bouquet of flowers, bitters, or any of The Meadow's other wonderful gifts. Think of it as a two-for-one opportunity. Their chocolate selection has seasonal arrivals, dark, milk, and white chocolate, as well as flavored chocolate options and packaged drinking chocolates. Plus, some of The Meadow's flowers or a bottle of their wine wouldn't be a terrible addition to your bag on the trip.
Locations in Nob Hill, North Portland, Southeast Portland & Nolita/Soho Online: themeadow.com
Formerly Fleur Chocolatte & Wine, this Portland candy store, just over the border, is under new ownership as of the first of the year and has a new name—Betty Rose's Chocolate & Coffee. But don't worry, its strong suit—truffles—is still the same. From Butter Pecan to Almond Coconut, Betty Rose's has flavors that will appease any palate. Into minty freshness? Traditional flavors or novel ones, any of these little treats will have your kids asking why you didn't buy a second box. Try a sampler pack in case decision paralysis takes over. Or if you know exactly what you want, mix and match any truffles for the ultimate flavor experience.
Want a hassle-free Thanksgiving meal? Check out the top spots in NYC to order out and dine in for a terrific turkey, steak, or even a vegan meal—or skip straight to dessert
Thanksgiving is a time to be with family and celebrate all the things for which we’re thankful. And if you want to be thankful for not having to cook for all that family, then you’ve come to the right place. The spots below will help you get a full course meal on the table with little to no prep on your part (don’t worry, we won’t tell!). You can even skip the post-feast dishes and dine-in for an extra-special Thanksgiving dinner. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Whatever you decide—take out or dine in—New York City has the best places to serve you up something divine on Thanksgiving Day in 2022.
Turkey to Go: Where to Get a Cooked Meal for Your Dinner Table
Restaurant and flower arrangement expert Il Florista has partnered with Quattro Farm to prepare a delicious turkey roulade for your dining table. A whole turkey roulade costs $189 and comes ready to eat, prepared with a chamomile brine and served with herbed bread stuffing. You can purchase side dishes here as well, with options including crispy polenta, cranberry relish, roasted parsnip, and more. You can even buy a flower arrangement to brighten up the Thanksgiving meal with a pop of color.
You'll be able to pick up your order on Wed., Nov. 23 after 2 p.m., or on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Delivery is also available on request.
Open on Thanksgiving day for takeout and dine-in, The Ribbon is a more affordable option for families. You can order a traditional rotisserie turkey for $39 or opt for another main, like salmon or NY strip steak. The turkey dish is a full meal for a person—it comes with traditional stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato casserole, brussel sprouts, and, of course, cranberry sauce.
You can also choose to order takeout for two at $99.95, which includes two of the turkey dishes, as well as a wedge salad, roasted fall soup, and two orders of pecan pie. Multiple orders of this would make for an entire Thanksgiving Day spread, but order soon, because there's limited availability. Takeout can be picked up on Thurs., Nov. 24 from 2 to 8 p.m., so everything can go straight from the restaurant to your table.
Carmine’s will deliver its traditional Thanksgiving feast to you, you can pick it up yourself, or you can enjoy it at the chain’s Upper West Side and Times Square locations. Enough for six to eight people, the meal features an 18-pound roast turkey, sausage & sage stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts with caramelized onions and applewood smoked bacon, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, baby carrots and sauteed string beans.
It’s $349 whether you get it delivered, pick it up, or dine in. For an additional $25, you can add on an apple or pumpkin pie. Bonus: if someone in your group doesn’t like turkey, the regular Carmine’s menu is available to order from, as well.
For a Turkey day feast with an Italian twist, Eataly has you covered. Choose a turkey from a local farm, all pasture-raised and hormone- and and antibiotic-free, or pick out some smaller cuts if a whole turkey is too much for your family. Pair your bird with a number of delectable side dishes, like a salumi and formaggi platter handcrafted by experts, artisanal homemade pasta dishes, and freshly baked breads. And don't forget dessert! Eataly has some classics like apple pie as well as delectable Italian desserts like their Toro cake with white chocolate cremino and toasted hazelnuts.
Pre-order your meal before Sat., Nov. 19 to have it ready for pickup on Thanksgiving Day at Eataly Flatiro, or Sun., Nov. 20 for pickup at Eataly Downtown.
Looking for a vegan alternative to the Thanksgiving turkey meal? Skip the bird with Blossom, a vegan restaurant that offers completely animal-free meals sourced from local farms and small businesses. Dine in or order pickup by Wed., Nov. 23 for a vegan meal featuring three courses and dessert. Dishes include a mix of traditional Thanksgiving sides like soy-sausage stuffing and mashed potato with mushroom-based shiitake gravy, as well as some more uniquely Blossom dishes like parsnip ravioli, beet carpaccio, and stuffed acorn squash. Finish the meal with pumpkin pie, tiramisu, chocolate ganache, and berries and cream. Plus, many of the dishes are nut free, soy free, and gluten free (see the menu on their website for more information—and note that the menu items are subject to change).
A kid's Thanksgiving option is also available, which has a traditional (but still vegan) meal consisting of stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, kale, and squash, and your choice of dessert.
Get your Thanksgiving to go at the two Michelin star restaurant, Aquavit, for a chance to taste the delectable Nordic inspired creations of executive chef Emma Benftsson. Order the kit for $575 for a four-person meal consisting of roasted fennel and caraway spiced turkey breast, smoked turkey leg sausages along with sides and extras including herb roasted vegetables, truffled mushroom spatzle, green bean salad, and pumpkin pie. Get your order on Wed., Nov. 23 between 3 and 5 p.m., then just reheat and serve on Thanksgiving Day.
Chelsea Market’s excellent butcher has birds of all kinds and sizes from area farms: fresh turkeys, roast turkey, Moulard duck, and even capon, which are large chickens that have lots of white meat. They’ll also help you with prep with a brine kit, turkey rub, and herbed compound butter. Alternatively, you can get a smoked or roast turkey ready to serve for $170.
Order early, as their supplies are already being sold fast (especially, according to the website, the Kelly Bronze). Pickup is at the Chelsea Market location, or items can be shipped for a fee. In a hurry? Just use their Thanksgiving quick order form!
Got your turkey ready but want to get some sides professionally made? No problem! The expert caterers at Marina del Rey has an "Everything But the Bird" option priced at $139, which has everything you need to make it a complete meal for eight to 10 people, including sourdough and sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, glazed carrots, string beans with almonds, 18 dinner rolls, and a pumpkin pie. Whew!
Of course, you can also get the full meal, turkey and all, for $199, or get the deluxe option which includes a few different sides and serves 10 to12 people. Meals are available for pickup only, and must be retrieved on Thanksgiving Day between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Place your order by that Monday to have your meal prepared on time!
No matter how you want your Thanksgiving dinner, Whole Foods has got you covered. Choose from full meals for small and large groups, paleo-friendly dinners, a vegan option created by chef Chloe Coscarelli, as well as main courses of ham and prime rib.
Prices range from $49.99 for the vegan meal for two to $569.99 for a loaded Thanksgiving extravaganza for 12. Place your order 48 hours before you want to get your meal—or buy a bit in advance and follow the detailed reheating instructions provided by the website.
If you want to prepare the turkey yourself, Whole Foods also has raw turkey meal kits, which provide you with an oven-ready bird with onion, carrot and celery that serves eight people for $79.99, or a full meal with a turkey and sides for $179.99.
If farmers market shopping is a ritual for your Thanksgiving plans, pre-order a bird with DiPaola Turkey Farm, featured at 20 Greenmarket locations throughout the city. This second-generation family farm raises Broad Breasted Whites and is a good pick if you’re cooking for a smaller party. Choose a size range to suit the number of guests you plan to feed—Di Paola recommends that you plan for about a pound to a pound and a half per person for a whole turkey. You can buy just a breast, leg, wing or all three and save on roasting time as well.
Orders become available fairly early, and you'll have to plan ahead as all orders must be picked up before noon on your location's designated date.
If you’re not familiar with the wildly popular dips at Upper East Side gourmet store William Poll, treat yourself and your fellow diners to a few of these yummy spreads. Go for classic and refined cucumber, or try some of the more robust or decadent flavors like Cheddy Chut (cheddar and chutney), spinach, blue cheese and bacon, or prosciutto. For the complete experience, eat them with the store’s baked potato thins.
Keep it simple, and local, and order your entire Thanksgiving Dinner from Upper West Side NYC institution, Zabar’s. Its Holiday Dinner for six is $279 (or $380 to serve 10) and includes Zabar’s Roast Turkey, chestnut stuffing, homemade giblet gravy and cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, string beans with almonds, homemade dinner rolls, and even a Zabar’s apple or pumpkin pie.
Orders for Thanksgiving must be placed before that Monday at 4 p.m. and will be delivered right to your door.
Butterfield Market has been serving freshly-prepared foods on the Upper East side since 1915 and it’s still as popular as ever. This year you can outsource the whole meal for between $285-$720 depending on how many people you plan to have over. Or, you can pick from their selection of starters and sides including mini crab cakes, corn pudding, and marshmallow sweet potatoes.
They offer ready-to-cook turkeys, whole roasted turkeys, sides, starters, four different types of stuffing, breads, and desserts. You can even get a vegan “turkey” with vegan and gluten-free mushroom gravy here. Pickup is at their 85th Street location, or you can get your meal delivered (note that delivery price varies by location, and there are some delivery restrictions in Manhattan due to the Thanksgiving Day parade. Make sure to place your order by Fri., Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.
Take some comfort food home with you with Good Enough to Eat's Thanksgiving to Go meal. Schatzie’s herb roasted turkey is available at $11.50 per pound for a whole turkey and $18.50 per pound for sliced turkey. You can also get the rest of your sides here, including stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, cornbread, and several pies. The menu also includes a sour cream apple crumble pie recipe in case you want to try your hand at baking dessert! Place your order by 4 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 22 to have it ready for pickup on Wed., Nov. 23 by 4 p.m.
Comfort food spot Bubby’s proudly declares Thanksgiving as the restaurant’s favorite holiday. Dine in at Bubby's for a down-home, traditional Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkeys from Pallman Farms in upstate NY and homemade sides.
The special holiday meal is $100 per adult and $70 per child under 10 (excluding drinks and gratuity) and includes a massive two-course meal, followed by dessert. In addition to turkey, enjoy flaky buttermilk biscuits, old-fashioned glazed ham, creamy mashed potatoes, and more. You can also get a vegetarian lasagna made with roasted butternut squash and mushrooms, although you'll need to request this ahead of time. Don't forget to leave room for Bubby's famous pies! End your dinner with apple whiskey crumble pie, pumpkin pie, and sour cherry pie, served family-style with individual plates and plenty to share.
Mediterranean restaurant Barbounia has a fixed-price menu for Thanksgiving day, featuring dishes infused with a Mediterranean flavor and style. For $86 per person, you can get free-range Pennsylvania turkey, as well as other entree options including taboon roasted red snapper and farmers market vegetables and mushrooms with couscous. There are also plenty of sides, from roasted pumpkin soup to flash fried cauliflower. Dessert features some unique dishes like deconstructed pumpkin pie and rosewater panacotta, for a new spin on traditional options.
For something a little different this year (and for kids who are up for anything), head to Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse Cote for a beef-heavy feast. A special Thanksgiving menu features traditional Korean dishes and a selection of the finest USDA Prime and American Wagyu Beef is being served for $125 per person. (Additional a la carte menu items are available as well, and you can get a holiday box shipped to you if you want to enjoy at home.)
This French bistro does Thanksgiving a little different, bringing French cuisine into the traditional American holiday feast. So while you can get your turkey meal (organic Amish Country turkey with mashed potato and sweet potato dressing, as well as brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and gravy), you can also order escargot and foie gras to go with it—to name just a few of the available sides on the special Thanksgiving menu.
Who says the Thanksgiving meals need to end after Thanksgiving Day? Venezuelan comfort food restaurant Casa Ora will be serving holiday special meals starting on Thanksgiving all the way through New Years Eve. These specials don't include a turkey, but they'll satisfy the festive appetites of any family members. Chow down on traditional Hispanic dishes like hallaca (pork and chickpea—or just chickpea for a vegan option—tamale with potato, raisin and olives), pernil (slow roasted pork loin with lentils, chimichurri, and carrot and potato puree), and more. Adults in the party can also skip straight from Thanksgiving to Christmas and try the ponche crema, a Venezuelan eggnog.
148 Meserole St. Williamsburg, Brooklyn Online:casaoranyc.com
Hill Country
Visit Hill Country for a Texas-style feast of epic proportions. The meal will be served from 12 until 7:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and will feature the restaurant's signature barbecue and pit-smoked turkey, as well as classic sides like potato and vegetable dishes and dessert pies, pudding, or cupcakes. The feast is fixed price, at $95 per adult and $45 for kids aged 5-12. Kids under 5 eat free!
Hill Country also has a takeout option in the form of the Texas Turkey Box, which has a full meal for four to six people for $180 and the Thanksgiving Feast option for $300, for eight to 10 people. You can also choose to order a la carte or choose a number of sides for a custom holiday feast.
Magnolia Bakery has a great selection of holiday pies to try, including the classics (pecan pie and pumpkin pie) and new twists on the classics (chocolate pecan pie and pumpkin praline pie). You can also pair your pie up with banana pudding with the "Best of Magnolia Bakery" Thanksgiving Sampler Pack, or choose from any of the seasonal desserts—including the fantastic apple crisp pudding and adorable Thanksgiving cupcakes—or order from their regular menu. Pies and puddings come in sizes large enough to satisfy even the guests with the biggest sweet tooth.
Wish your apple cider donut came in cake form? Want a pumpkin pie with the consistency of a pecan pie? Milk Bar has both desserts available for the fall season—and just in time for Thanksgiving. The apple cider donut cake, in particular, would make a great finisher for your amazing holiday feast! Other seasonal treats include the assorted fall truffle box and apple cider donut truffles (you know, just in case the cake isn't enough).
Thanksgiving pies at Butter and Scotch are ready for pre-order! Choose from flavors like apple pear cranberry crumble, bourbon ginger pecan pie, or pumpkin spice pie. The pies, which serve eight to 10 people, are $42-45 each. Store pick-up is available at their sister bakery Love, Nelly and select partners around Brooklyn. Place your orders by Sun., Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. for a chance to have your pie and eat it, too!
This bakery consistently tops lists of where to get the best pie in the city, both big and small. Its list of Thanksgiving pies is impressive, with flavors such as sour cream apple walnut pie, sweet potato pie, Mississippi mud pie, and even gluten free blueberry apple crumb pie. You can also get a sampler of four popular mini pies!
Full size pies serve eight to 10 and most are $42. Order before Mon., Nov. 21 and you'll be able to pick up or get your pie delivered in time for Thanksgiving.
This cozy bakery is at it again! This year's Thanksgiving selections include bittersweet chocolate pecan, brown butter pumpkin, salted caramel apple, and the famed salty honey pie, a specialty custard blend topped with zinging flakes of sea salt. Pies are $44 each and typically serve eight to 10 people. Place an order before noon to get your pie the following day (available for pickup or delivery)—pies ordered past 12 p.m. will be available in two days.
If you find yourself thankful for having a full stomach and a full wallet, you can give the gift of a Thanksgiving meal to someone less fortunate and spread some goodwill. Soup kitchens and various charities have opportunities to help make a special Thanksgiving meal for people who might not be able to afford one on their own. Here are two opportunities to help if you have the funds or the time:
The WSCAH Turkey Challenge
The West Side Campaign Against Hunger has been providing families with holiday meals for over 10 years. Last year, they helped over 8,000 families and this year, they're aiming even higher. With a contribution of just $50, you can feed an entire family and help the WSCAH work toward their goal of feeding 10,000 New York families.
Thanksgiving is all about sharing a meal with your loved ones. Unfortunately, not everyone has someone they can share a meal with. That's why DOROT is working toward connecting volunteers with older adults to provide them with some much-needed human interaction. Deliver a meal and stay for a chat! Manhattan volunteers can bring children ages 10-17 and brighten up someone's day just by sharing a meal and a story or two.
Find out what other amazing Amazon Prime benefits and features you could be using every day
Who doesn’t love Amazon Prime? While some stores may claim to have comparable deals, the benefits you’ll get with your Amazon Prime membership are pretty unparalleled. Two-hour grocery delivery, movies you can watch for free anytime, even subscription boxes for the kids—being a Prime member comes with some legit perks you just can’t get anywhere else. Whether you’re a long-time member or new to the awesomeness that is Amazon Prime, check out all the Amazon Prime benefits that you absolutely, positively NEED to know about.
If you have an Alexa-enabled device such as an Amazon Echo or Dot, you can order just by asking! This handy—or rather, hands-free—perk is only available to Prime members.
Babies need a lot of "stuff"—and any new parent knows how much all that stuff can add up. Amazon Prime members can save 20% on diapers, baby food (excluding formula) and more by subscribing via Amazon Family. Subscribe to five or more products arriving on the same recurring delivery day to the same address to score your 20% discount.
Whole Foods Grocery Delivery via Prime Now
Courtesy Whole Foods
Ever since Amazon bought Whole Foods in 2017, Prime members have enjoyed all sorts of perks when shopping in-store. Perhaps one of the most popular and best perks? Same-day grocery delivery from Whole Foods, courtesy of Amazon Prime Now. Orders over $35 qualify for free delivery and many cities offer delivery in as little as two hours.
Chock that Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet full of content by subscribing to Amazon Kids +. You'll get unlimited access to thousands of kid-friendly goodies that include games, shows, books, movies, TV shows, educational apps and premium kid’s skills for just $2.99 per month.
Another bonus? Amazon Kids+ is not just for the Kids Edition tablet. It works on compatible Amazon Fire tablets, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Kindle and Echo devices, too!
You'll also find easy-to-use parental controls that let you personalize screen time limits, set educational goals, filter age-appropriate content and even manage web browsing.
Whole Foods Sales & Deals Just for Prime Members
Courtesy Whole Foods
Amazon Prime members get an extra 10% off items marked with yellow signs at your local Whole Foods store. Shop blue sign deals to save even more, as these deals are exclusively just for Prime members.
Ready to save even more? If you have an Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, you can also get an additional five percent back on all your purchases at Whole Foods.
Prime Wardrobe
Courtesy of Amazon
Amazon understands that buying clothes online can be tricky: will it fit? How's the material feel? What's the color really look like? Prime Wardrobe is a try-before-you-buy service similar to StitchFix that allows you to choose the items you like, filling your box with up to three picks. You get a seven-day try-on period to decide what you do and don't like. Pay for what you want and send what you don't like back!
Getting your groceries delivered is great and all, but what about beer and wine? You can get beer and wine delivered via Prime Now in select cities. Prime members can get beer and wine delivered for free in two hours—but if you're really crunched for that bottle of bubbly for your weekend mimosas, pay $8 to get your booze delivered in under an hour.
The name pretty much says it all: stock your pantry with everyday household essentials and more with Prime Pantry. Prime members can get free delivery on all Prime Pantry orders over $25, or pay $5.99 for smaller orders.
First Reads & Prime Reading
Courtesy of Amazon
Exclusively for Prime members, Amazon First Reads allows you to choose from one of six early-access new Kindle titles each month, for free. You'll also have access to Amazon Original Stories, which are short reads you can download for free. With Prime Reading, Prime Members can also access over a thousand titles for free anytime on any device, from kids books to cookbooks and even select magazine titles, too.
Remember when Amazon only just sold books? Prime Book Box is Amazon's subscription book service that takes us all back to the early days of the now-massive online retailer—and it's only for Prime members. Each box contains either two hardcover books or four board books and boxes are available for kids ages 0 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years. Pick a delivery schedule to get books every one, two or three months and save up to 40 percent off of the list price on books hand-picked for your kiddos.
Stream the playlist of your dreams—or just ask Alexa to play that song your kid's been singing all day. Prime members can listen to a growing library of over 2 million hand-curated songs for free from Amazon Music. For an extra fee, upgrade your music experience to Amazon Music Unlimited to access Amazon's complete library of over 50 million songs. Not sure about upgrading? You can try Amazon Music Unlimited for free for 30 days.
The stellar streaming service is home to thousands of TV shows, movies and original programming for the whole fam—and it's all free. You can also purchase additional premium channels (for an extra charge) from third-party networks such as HBO, Starz, Showtime and Lifetime Movie Club. Prime members are typically eligible for a 30-day free trial, depending on the network. Check out all the Kids and Family picks included with Prime Video.
Amazon Prime members get unlimited storage with Prime Photos, which is great when trying to figure out where to keep all those digital photos and videos. Better still? Go ahead and bundle your best shots into photo books, turn them into holiday cards or even create wall art, right from Amazon Prints. Amazon Prime members can enjoy free delivery with Amazon Prints, too.
Your little gamer will flip for free games, courtesy of Prime. Prime Gaming is included with every Prime membership and entitles gamers to a selection of free games every month, free in-game content for popular titles and also includes a Prime-exclusive chat badge as you watch your favorite Twitch streams. Prime members just need to connect their Twitch account to get started.
Prime members can enjoy early access to Lightning Deals before anyone else. Just look for "Prime Early Access" on the product page.
Share Your Account with the Whole Fam
Courtesy of Amazon
Create an Amazon Household account to share select Prime benefits and digital content with other adults, teens or kids in your home. You can share the following Prime benefits with Amazon Household:
Whether you prefer sourdough crust, deep dish, Detroit-style, or topped with Indian flavors, the Bay Area pizza scene really delivers
Fresh dough, gooey cheese, and just the right amount of sauce—pizza is a recipe for deliciousness for parents and kids alike. The Bay Area pizza scene offers lots of options for little foodies like the curry chicken masala pizza of Curry Pizza House and the potato-topped pizza from Escape from New York Pizza. We won’t say which is our ultimate favorite (because that’s like choosing a favorite child) but you’ll find top spots from Point Reyes to San Jose, perfect for a lazy night with no cooking needed.
Long Bridge Pizza Co. If thin crust sourdough pizza is your thing, Long Bridge Pizza Co. is your pizza place. Actually, if Detroit-style pizza is your thing, then Long Bridge is also your pizza place because they sell that on their popular Square Thursdays. Named for the wooden causeway that connected San Francisco to Dogpatch in the 1800s, Long Bridge is in a neighborhood that’s great to explore, and particularly good for the kind of exploration that involves food. If you still have room after your ‘za, waddle over to Neighbor Bakehouse next door or the Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous ice cream shop a block away.
Escape from New York Pizza It’s nice to have a good stand-by when you need an easy, no-frills, counter-service meal while you’re in Downtown San Francisco, and Escape from New York Pizza is that place. (There are other locations in San Francisco, but we're partial to the bright and airy Financial District one with seating on the plaza.) See if the kiddos can spot King Kong climbing the wall. You must order their famous You Say Potato! pizza covered in roasted potato slices, copious amounts of garlic (copious!), pesto, and of course mozzarella. It’s worth the stinky breath afterward and your kids are stuck with you so what are they going to do about it?
Pizzeria Delfina Pizzeria Delfina is San Francisco’s golden child and with good reason. Their pies are perfection, but the crowds and long waits could be a pain for families. There are four Bay Area locations, and we recommend the Fillmore one for its enclosed parklet where the kids can run around.
Arizmendi This local cooperative serves up some of the tastiest pie around, even if they were the target of parody in Pixar’s “Inside Out.” They only offer one type of pizza per day, and it’s never cheese and pepperoni (more like shiitake mushroom, leeks, and sesame vinaigrette) but even so, they are known as a kid fave. Order by the slice—we also suggest adding a corn cherry scone—and pull up a chair in their Mission location, or grab a spot in the parklet outside of their Inner Sunset location. They offer par-baked (or fully baked) pies for takeout, and the price is right, especially considering the top-notch ingredients.
1272 Valencia St. and 1331 9th Ave. San Francisco Online: arizmendibakery.com
Zante If you haven’t tried it yet, the thought of Indian pizza may leave you scratching your head. But one bite and you’ll be hooked. Zante’s corn-meal-dusted crusts are the perfect base for their incredibly flavorful toppings—spinach, eggplant, cauliflower, ginger, garlic, green onions, and cilantro. The no-frills restaurant at the base of Bernal Hill is spacious, works well for large parties, has high chairs, and rarely has a wait.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana Tony, an 11-time World Pizza Champion, must be doing something right. His North Beach restaurant is an ode to regionally specific pizza (he has various types of ovens for various styles of pies) and turns out spot-on New York, New Haven, Detroit, St. Louis, Romana, and Sicilian pizzas—not to mention tasty pasta and other Italian specialties. There’s a small take-out shop for quick and easy slices.
State of Mind Often you find a pizza place with an excellent crust but a so-so sauce, or a to-die-for sauce but a nothing special crust. Not so at State of Mind where both are perfection. They offer round, pan, and gluten-free pizzas, and have curated a can and bottle list showcasing their favorite craft breweries throughout California. Don’t miss their old-school pizza restaurant arcade, which is also available for private parties.
Blue Line Pizza The talented pizza lovers from SF’s beloved Little Star are behind Blue Line, which now has seven locations around the Peninsula and East and South Bay. We especially love their Burlingame location, with its spacious back patio lit by twinkling fairy lights. Blue Line is known for their deep dish, but their thin crust, salads, and sandwiches are delish, too. We love that instead of crayons, they provide kiddies with Magnadoodles with the kids’ menu printed on the back! And don’t miss out on their totally adorable heart-shaped pizzas next Valentine’s Day.
Rise Pizzeria Grab a spot outside by the fire pit and enjoy a slice of Neapolitan pizza at Rise Pizzeria in Burlingame. This spot boasts tasty pizza with a healthy twist. Gluten-free crusts and dairy-free cheese are just two of the options that make this a great spot for those who have dietary restrictions. Parents will appreciate that Rise has swapped out the traditional soda machine for options like lemonade, iced tea, and apple juice. There is also a sister restaurant, Rise Woodfire, in San Mateo.
Square Pie Guys Square Pie Guys specializes in Detroit-style pizza which means they have what they describe as a “crispy, crackly, caramelized cheese crust.” It’s like the pan pizza of your youth but done deliciously right.
499 9th St., Oakland 1077 Mission St. and 845 Beach St. San Francisco Online: squarepieguys.com
Zachary’s Deep-dish pizza lovers say Zachary’s is the winner. They do a completely balanced deep dish layered "upside-down" to keep the crust crisp. The downside? You guessed it: The wait can be unbelievably long. Because the pizzas take 30 minutes to cook anyway, they have guests order when they arrive, so that by the time you are seated, your pizza should be nearly ready.
Pizzaiolo If you like your pizza night complete with a craft cocktail, this is your spot. Kids will give the Margherita a thumbs up, while the other creative, high-quality dishes (not to mention the killer cocktail list) will elevate family pizza night to something a little more special.
Bluebird Pizzeria It’s hard to decide between the pan-baked grandma pie and the margarita pizza with fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil—so why not get both? If there’s a wait, the kids will be happy perusing the selection of board games and books.
Patxi’s Pizza With many locations around the Bay Area, Patxi’s has become an institution for Chicago-style pizza. Their Dublin location doesn’t disappoint, with a pick-up window as well as a fantastic outdoor patio. Don’t forget the honey at the table to drizzle on the crust. Mangia!
Curry Pizza House If you have a Curry Pizza House in your neighborhood, consider yourself lucky as it's just the break from ordinary pepperoni your family is craving. We recently checked out the carry-out-only San Jose location on Union Ave. and found the staff to be friendly and the pizzas to be full of fresh ingredients with your choice of traditional or Indian flavors. We suggest going for a half-and-half of the curry chicken masala and the curry veggie delight with a side of achari wings and masala chips. They even offer vegan options.
2984 Union Ave. San Jose Find all their six Bay Area locations here.
Pizza My Heart There are dozens of new spots intent on mastering the craft of pizza making, but we have a soft spot for the ones keeping it FUN. Always incredibly family-friendly, Pizza My Heart really wins on Tuesdays, when from 4-8 p.m. they put the kids to work. Kids are given a pre-shaped pizza dough on a mini pizza pan, along with a squirt bottle of sauce, mini-containers of shredded cheese, and their choice of toppings. It’s then whisked away and baked up for a dinner they’ll love.
Click here to see all of their locations, mostly in the South Bay and Peninsula.
A Slice of New York “ASONY” for those in the know was founded by New York transplant, Kirk Vartan, who knows what New York pizza is all about. You know it’s a good pizza when a simple cheese pie is perfection. The garlic knots are sublime and their dessert menu runs the gamut from tiramisu and cheesecake to imported East Coast must-haves like Yodels and Devil Dogs. There are two locations, both covered in fun New York subway decor. The original San Jose location is takeout only so we prefer the Sunnyvale one that includes an entire subway car! Don’t miss the notices on the walls about who has been banned from the restaurant for various infractions, including stealing a Rubik’s Cube.
Giovanni’s Pizzeria No self-respecting New York-style pizza place would put chicken on pizza… would they? Any bad taste in your mouth from previous experiences elsewhere will disappear when you come to family-run Giovanni’s. They have all the usual toppings of course, but the stand-out is the Rustica with roasted chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and fresh basil. You’ll be licking your plate if you haven’t already eaten it directly out of the box on the ride home.
Amici’s Amici’s is a pizza juggernaut in the Bay Area for good reason. Their East Coast style pizzas with a thin chewy crust are the gold standard. Our favorites are the margarita pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes, the hearth-baked breadsticks, and the artichoke Panzanella salad. At the Mountain View location Penny the Robot sometimes delivers the pizza to your table! Amici’s also is a great location for school fundraisers as they give a big chunk of change back to the school.
Bibo’s Pizza If New York-style is your jam, then Bibo's is your spot. This Willow Glen pizza joint specializes in those giant, thin slices that are best enjoyed by folding in half. They use almost a pound of their special mozzarella on each 20-inch pie—a combo of buffalo milk and cow's milk that will send your taste buds into overdrive. Don't want a whole pie? Swing by for a slice. =
Pizzalina Pizzalina’s heated outdoor patio is a great place to dig into an app of burrata before devouring a Neapolitan-style pie cooked in a wood-burning oven. They’re serious about their salads and pasta, too, and even sell their homemade dressings. The bambini menu provides some extra kid-friendly offerings.
914 Sir Francis Drake San Anselmo Online: pizzalina.com
Cafe Reyes Make this cozy small town restaurant a stomach refueling spot on that day trip to West Marin or do like the locals and take the windy half-hour drive when you’re on the other side of Mt. Tam. Once here enjoy the authentic Neapolitan wood-fired oven pizza and fresh local oysters. (That’s so you know you’re in Point Reyes!) And don’t miss their organic salads or the apple pie.
11101 CA-1 Point Reyes Station Online: cafereyes.biz
Pizza Hacker Inside the new biergarten in Tam Junction you’ll find Pizza Hacker, the new outpost of the San Francisco pizzeria that excels at nicely charred, naturally leavened (a.k.a. sourdough) crusts. The Short Bridge pie is a winner with soppressata, housemade sausage, mushrooms, and parm. They also offer a Charles E. Cheese IV pizza which they describe affectionately as “a kid’s cheese pizza” (it’s a margarita without the basil). The salads are serious business—the Intermezzo is a burst of color and flavor and includes radicchio, rainbow carrots, little gems lettuce, chickpeas, a farm egg, and poppyseed dressing. It’s a spot where vegans can be happy, too—for $2 extra you can get Miyoko’s vegan mozzarella on your pie.
Pizzeria Picco From their perfect pies to their housemade soft serve, Pizzeria Picco wins on all counts. Just a couple blocks away from a magical redwood park so we suggest going to get your hike on and then heading over for an early dinner. Their petite pizzas make ordering multiples a must, which is a good thing because there are typically nearly a dozen choices, each featuring local, seasonal ingredients. The pies come out of the wood-fired oven perfectly blistered and can be paired with equally amazing salads, soups and sides. But the real bonus is the aforementioned soft serve. Our fave: A twist topped with housemade caramel and crunchy sea salt.
Tamalpie Pizza This place is quintessentially Marin—the name is an ode to Mt. Tam, and from the thin-crust pies to the sizable beer menu to the dogs lounging near the outdoor, family-style tables to the menu items named after local hiking trails, it oozes NorCal charm. If you visit during the “kid rush,” from 5-7 pm, you needed to be prepared for a playhouse atmosphere, as this is the go-to spot for parents and kids in the area. End on an epic note and go for the banana split.
With the school year and work in full swing, now is the time when you might look to shortcuts for your family meal plan. With these local (and some not-so-local) meal kit delivery services, you can add another feather to your already full cap and whip up something delicious faster than you can load everyone in the car for take-out. Keep reading for our favorite meal delivery services in Atlanta, and let someone else do the cooking (or at least the shopping and prep) for a change.
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Instead of Flowers
This Atlanta meal delivery service offers ready-made dinners for diners who prefer to leave the prep work to someone else. With meal delivery from Monday to Friday between 3 and 6 p.m., Instead of Flowers guarantees you'll have a hot meal on the table before the last kids gets home from practice. Choose between complete meals or a la carte options, and be sure to check out the special kids' menu, as well.
Insider tip: When you gift a meal from Instead of Flowers, they contact your recipient, take their preferred order and delivery date, and even include an enclosure card letting them know that the dinner came from you. Sounds like an easy way gift for new parents to us.
With a weekly menu with multiple options—as well as three to four à la carte kits—and a delivery zone both ITP and OTP on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays (plus multiple pick up locations), Garnish & Gather is as big on offering their customers options as they are on offering quality local ingredients. They work with Atlanta's best chefs for meal kit recipes, recently featuring menus from the chefs of Miller Union, Banshee, Revival and Tiny Lou's.
Insider tip: Garnish & Gather has "kid approved" menu items, like lemon caper chicken, that take 20 minutes or less to prepare. They'll also deliver local groceries from Georgia farmers and artisans to your doorstep.
Owner Carol Rice's goal has always been to help families of all sizes get supper on the table because she knows what it means to be a busy parent of younger kids. Expect family friendly meals that are totally customizable for your family (you add the desired amount of spice to all entrees from the included bag yourself). If you want something left out or put on the side, or low sodium, or vegetarian or gluten free, or want to switch meats, all you have to do is make a note of it during check out. Menus include 16-20 choices that change monthly, and delivery includes all of metro Atlanta.
Insider tip: We love that Carol used to have her children's friends over to taste test upcoming menu items. Clearly these meals are crafted with the family table in mind.
Bag'd Atlanta is your source for local vegetables and fruits delivered to your door, also featuring a variety of add-ons and health and wellness products. While this isn't a prepared kid per se, the robust local fruits and veggies have a week's worth of produce to inspire any aspiring chef. Serving Intown Atlanta, and offering free delivery to Decatur and Avondale Estates for orders over $25 (and a small delivery fee elsewhere), Bag'd lets you get dinner in the bag.
Insider tip: Check the website for availability of dairy, eggs, and meat, all sourced from Georgia farmers and can be delivered to your door.
This cook-at-home food delivery service partnered with Martha Stewart to help harried families discover their inner Martha. The menu features over 45 choices every week, and the website tags meals as Family-Friendly, Under 30 minutes, Vegetarian or Vegan and other categories. Our favorites include: chicken fajita bowl, bacon-wrapped skillet meatloaf and lemon-brown butter salmon. The website provides big, colorful step-by-step photos for careless cooks and kids who want to help.
The goal of HelloFresh is to bring the fun of cooking back into people’s lives by doing all the planning, portioning and shopping for in-season, sustainably-sourced, healthy and flavorful ingredients. HelloFresh prides itself on its delicious recipes with quick cook times; all your chopping, zesting and sautéeing will take less than 30 minutes. Family-friendly meals include Tomato Tortellini Bake, Ginger Plum Chicken and Pork Chops with Apple Rosemary Pan Sauce.
Cost: starting at $10/serving + $10/box for delivery
If your goal is to get a wholesome, easy meal on the table for your family, then Dinnerly is the meal delivery option for you. Each week Dinnerly customers choose from over a dozen options which change each week. The choices are totally kid-friendly with options like sweet and sour Swedish meatballs, turkey burgers and enchiladas. Each meal has only five prep steps and takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table, perfect for rushed weeknight dinners. Not interested in getting your box this week? No problem! You can skip any time.
Healthy eating at home is the name of the game with Green Chef. Choose from three plans: Keto + Paleo, Balanced Living and Plant-Powered. Set up your deliveries to come weekly or less frequently if you prefer. Menus change every week and you'll enjoy options like Steak & Cheddar Melts, Salmon with Creamy Chimichurri, and Creamy Baked Penne Pasta.
Purple Carrot brings you plant-forward meals that are good for you and good for the planet. Choose from Quick & Easy, High-Protein, Gluten-Free or Chef’s Choice dinners and customize your choices to your liking. All meals are meat-free and easy to prepare, or you can select from prepared meals to be delivered to your door. You can add on breakfast, lunch and snack items to get you through the week. Skip or cancel any time.
Good to know: We’re crushing on Purple Carrot’s Plantry ingredients like cauliflower snacking crackers and chocolate-covered oat bites that kids can grab and eat.
How about 100% plant-based, organic, non-GMO, chef-prepared entrees, soups and juices that just show up at your front door whenever you want them to? Then look no further than this healthy bunch (bonus: they deliver nationally, too). There are no, zero, zilch animal products of any kind, here, ever. Chick'n Nuggets with chipotle dipping sauce complete with veganaise will do the trick every time for your kiddos, and no one will miss the meat. Veestro food is available a la carte, in full-on Meal Packs, and they also carry a surprisingly delicious weight loss menu plan.
Good to know: As with most vegetarian cuisine: most meals have nuts in them so be careful with a nut allergy, but all meals are completely dairy-free and don't contain other allergens.
Sun Basket provides meal kit customers with organic produce and clean ingredients with paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian and family menu selections. Consumers can also upgrade to premium meats like grass-fed filet and jumbo shrimp. Broaden your culinary horizons with family-friendly meals like chicken tagine and Taiwanese noodle soup. You can even select "super speedy" meals which can go from box to table in less than 20 minutes or "one pot" meals which keep the dishes to a minimum. Hooray!
Parents will love how Sun Basket encourages kids to participate in the cooking process (which has been shown to create more adventurous eaters). Each recipe includes a "Kids Can" section with suggestions of how kids can contribute to the meal prep by juicing a lemon, timing the orzo or strip the mint leaves.
Sun Basket recently released their Fresh & Ready meals and families will want to try them out for sure. Fresh & Ready is an ideal weeknight meal solution—the meals feature a complete dinner that is pre-cooked, packaged and can go straight into the oven or microwave, ready in 6 minutes or less, no additional prep required.
Chef-made, nutritionist-designed meal delivery service Territory Foods delivers meals free of gluten and refined sugars to Dallas families. With over 35 options that are updated weekly, you choose what you want, the items are cooked to order and delivered twice a week to keep your fridge stocked. Pause or cancel at any time. Try the chicken stir fry or BBQ pork with mashed potatoes as easy kid-friendly options.
They also recently started offering Territory Grocery. Options: Produce Box ($60) featuring a 15+ lb. mix of garden veggies, root veggies, fruit, leafy greens and herbs; or Produce & Pantry Box ($70) including all of the above plus 2-3 lbs. of grains and legumes.
When it comes to feeding families, One Potato has got you covered. Co-founder Catherine McCord's best selling Weelicious recipes are the basis of the One Potato meals. There's nothing fussy here—the organic, non-GMO ingredients come pre-chopped, pre-measured and ready to get from box to table in no time. Each recipe will be ready in less than 30 minutes, which makes weeknight meals a cinch. Bonus: there's cookie dough included in every box!
One Potato understands that not every family has two adults and two kids so they offer plans for two to six servings per meal. By indicating how many children are in your family, you'll receive kid-sized portions (about half of an adult-sized portion) for them. Choose two or three meals to be delivered per week, or skip that week if you'll be out of town.
Blue Apron has been part of the meal delivery game for a long time and their expertise shows. Choose among two-serving, four-serving, wellness and vegetarian menus to pick the options that are right for you. We love that the meals typically take 40 minutes or less and include kid-friendly ingredients like baked chicken and pasta while exposing kids to different flavors like curry and chile-lime. With super easy-to-follow recipes, you can definitely get the kids involved in the cooking process.
Freshly is a weekly subscription service delivering fresh (not frozen), chef-cooked meals that can be heated and served in three minutes. Unlike meal kits, all you need is a microwave, fork and plate (optional!) to get a satisfying lunch or dinner on the table. Think “nutritionist meets personal chef” vs. TV dinner when it comes to quality and flavor.
With a food philosophy centered on less sugar, less processed and more nutrients, the menu features better-for-you versions of comfort foods with smart ingredient swaps. For example, Chicken Parm is coated in almond flour vs. bread crumbs and topped with marinara sauce sweetened with honey instead of refined sugars; Mac and Cheese is made with brown rice pasta and cheesy sauce blended with a purée of cauliflower and butternut squash; and Turkey Meatballs are packed with mushrooms and served over zoodles for a lower-carb alternative to pasta.
While this meal kit delivery service isn't exclusive to Atlanta, it only preps and delivers gourmet three-step recipes (fist bump!). Their one-pan cooking with zero prep required means you cut down on the clean-up time, too. Plus, menu items are marked as "Certified" Gobble Kid Friendly, making it easy to pick the most foolproof meal for your little foodies.
Good to know: Gobble sends meal kits with the intent of 15 minutes or less of prep time, so you can spend more time hanging with your little gobblers—instead of stirring away over a hot stove.
Home Chef meal kits offer fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered weekly. With a variety of more than 20 different recipes that rotate on a weekly basis, most recipes include a "Customize It" option to accommodate any dietary needs or preferences. Skip a week any time you'd like, the meals are convenient and kid-friendly. The 15-minute meal kits include options like Mini Pesto Pork Pizzas. Or, opt for more sophisticated meals from the culinary collection like Crispy Chicken with Lemon Pistachio Butter.
There’s no doubt that any little trick we can use to simplify the juggling act of parenting is a game-changer—and that’s why we are totally on board with any and all grocery stores that deliver. Who doesn’t want to take back precious time and avoid the crowds at the supermarket? We do! We’ve rounded up several of the biggest grocery stores that deliver across the United States, so say goodbye to long lines and hello to door-to-door grocery deliveries.
Kroger and Ralphs also use Instacart for curbside and grocery delivery for over 1,200 of its locations. They also offer Kroger Ship, a website that offers more than 50,000 groceries, household, beauty and pet food products. Ship is available in the continental US.
Whole Foods
Courtesy of Whole Foods
Since its acquisition by Amazon, Whole Foods has become a grocery store that delivers to you. Now shoppers in over 2,000 cities can buy online and receive orders in as little as two hours, or for pick up at a Whole Foods, an hour. If you have Prime, deliveries over $35 are free.
Walmart
For an annual fee of $98 or $12.95 a month, the Walmart+ program gives you unlimited free delivery ($35 minimum). Try the 15-day trial to see if you like it; if you aren't ready to commit, simply pay the normal fees that the regular delivery and Express Delivery (two hours or less) services charge. How do you order? Simply use the app or website to choose from over 180,000 items, and you're on your way!
Target
Anthony Rathbun/AP Images for Target
For a lot of people, strolling the aisles of Target is like a religious experience. But for those of us with kids and no time to spare, Target's partnership with Shipt is the perfect way to get groceries, essentials and more delivered right to your door.
You can choose from thousands of items, including food, baby, bath, kitchen, pet supplies, school supplies and more. You can start with a free four-week trial, and when those four weeks are up, you have the option of an annual Shipt plan for $99 for unlimited orders of $35 or more. Or, you can pay per as you order for same-day delivery. Shipt also works with CVS, Petco, and more.
Costco
Buying bulk is a must for big families (or any family). Costco offers delivery through Instacart, which also delivers from local stores like ShopRite, Safeway, Giant, and more based on your location. For those that use Instacart more regularly, Costco offers Instacart Express, which includes reduced service fees, free delivery on orders over $35 and more.
ALDI
ALDI
ALDI's deal with Instacart has been wildly successful, and most stores now have the option of having your groceries brought to you. In addition to delivery, Aldi has been testing curbside pickup. Customers can buy groceries online, then come to the store to pick them up where an Aldi employee will bring your grocery haul right to your car.
What can't Amazon do? Amazon Prime members have long known that AmazonFresh offers the convenience of grocery delivery, even without a physical grocery store. Why leave home, when you can add produce, meat, seafood, dairy, frozen items and even paper products to your digital shopping cart... and then have it delivered to your doorstep?
Amazon did away with the $14.99 Amazon Fresh fee; in most cities, the minimum order amount is $35, but in New York City, $50. Amazon Fresh is currently available in over 5,000 cities across the US, and the program expanded its in-garage delivery services for as many Prime members.
For those lucky to live near this popular Texas-based supermarket, you can get home delivery for as little as $5. The delivery fee varies based on location, service times or special promotions. You can get almost everything offered in-store delivered too, with the exception of large items like grills; alcohol delivery also depends on where you live.
