There’s just a touch of autumnal crispness to the air now, which can mean only one thing: Football is coming, and it’s coming fast. And with those matchups come parties with enough food to feed an army. Here are some restaurants that can help your main course along, with a quick phone call or a push of a button:
Faccia Luna, 823 S. Washington St.
The venerable Italian eatery on Old Town’s Washington Street can be easily overlooked for its pizza-takeout capabilities, but doing so would be a mistake. Faccia Luna has a baker’s dozen pizzas to peruse and select; come in any night of the week to pick them up and you’ll see you’re not the only one with the carry-out idea. For a party-pleaser, the formaggio – a sauce-and-cheese selection – doesn’t disappoint. Or branch out a bit and go with the Florentine, teeming with spinach and ricotta cheese, or the namesake Faccia Luna, with sausage, roasted red pepper and mushroom. Having a big gathering? Order them all and watch the slices disappear.
Galae Thai, 215 Swamp Fox Road
Who says football parties are limited to pizza and wings? Strike out in a different direction with an online order from Galae Thai. Situated adjacent to the AMC Hoffman movie theater, the Asian restaurant offers more than just its namesake Thai; it also whips up a multitude of sushi dishes and bento boxes. For a small gathering, have guests order their preference, ranging from such signature dishes as pineapple fried rice to massaman curry with chicken. Or, for a larger group, pick a smorgasbord of options that can easily be divided – a variety of fried rice, pad Thai noodles, spring rolls or panang, red and green curries with a choice of protein.
Hard Times Café, 1404 King St.
What’s a fall football party without some chili and wings? Hard Times has you covered with its U-Cater menu. A bridge between the standard carryout options and a full-on catering job, the U-Cater offers up all the chili-slinger’s best dishes in party-sized quantities without the hassle of a proper catering gig. A $25 half-gallon of chili will serve eight; $48.99 will get you a gallon that serves 16. Fifty wings will set you back $50, and don’t skimp on the sides, such as spaghetti noodles, diced onions, jalapenos and more. Leave your slow cooker in the cabinet and dial up Hard Times for easy service.
Taqueria Poblano, 2400-B Mount Vernon Ave.
Why not set up a taco bar for your guests, complete with chips, salsa, guacamole and more? Taqueria Poblano’s catering menu is un-intimidating and straight to the point, offering diners a wide array of Mexican favorites. For the biggest bang for the buck, you could do worse than the taqueria’s crispy or soft taco platter, offering 25 or 50 tacos with a filling of your choice. Thirsty? Taqueria Poblano also offers its margarita mix in party-sized amounts. Get a carton of rice or beans on the side and you’ll have a fiesta for the ages.
Hope Nelson owns and operates the Kitchen Recessionista blog, located at www.kitchenrecessionista.com. Email her any time at hope@kitchenrecessionista.com.