Let’s talk turkey: Holiday cooking isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, if you don’t have the time, space or patience to measure, mix and roast, you can order full meals—or a few sides and sweets to supplement your dinner table.
Ambar
Order by Dec. 23, 3 p.m.
Celebrate with Eastern European flair with a takeout feast you can pick up Christmas Eve from 5-9 p.m. The $79 special serves two and includes Balkan pork ribs, beef meatballs, Brussels sprouts with pork bacon, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Bethesda Bagels
Don’t let the name fool you: There’s a location of this local chainlet in Rosslyn, so you don’t have to schlep to Maryland. Don’t look at the Hanukkah menu hungry, but, nu, you’ll have leftovers if you order too much. Keep it simple with all-in-one boxes to feed groups of four, six or eight with bagels, cream cheese, matzoh ball soup, latkes, cookies and gelt ($110-$220). Or skip to dessert with the Fancy Cookie Platter, piled with rugelach, chocolate dreidels and, of course, cookies ($5.99 per person, eight-person minimum). A la carte offerings are available, too. // 1851 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Brooklyn Bagel Bakery
Open every day of the year, this deli in Courthouse offers potato latkes ($45 for 15) and Grandma Iris’ Sweet Noodle Kugel ($40) to complement your Hanukkah table. Of course, we wouldn’t turn down the catering menu’s boxes of bagels, tubs of cream cheese, and pounds of salads (whitefish, chicken, tuna and egg) if they showed up next to the menorah. // 2055 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (Courthouse)
Call Your Mother
The self-described “Jew-ish” deli in McLean accepts orders 48 hours in advance and is open every day except Dec. 25. Its Hanukkah/holiday menu has three options. One is a deluxe latke platter that serves four and comes with 12 latkes, half a pound of smoked salmon, sour cream, apple jam, sweet red pepper jelly, creamy horseradish creme fraiche and pickled veggies ($65). Another is the classic latke platter with 12 pancakes, sour cream and apple jam ($30), and the third is a box of six or 12 raspberry-guava jelly doughnuts – CYM’s version of sufganiyot ($20 or $35). // 6232 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Celebrity Delly
Pickup: Dec. 26-Jan. 2, 2025
The catering arm of this Falls Church gem has an extensive Hanukkah menu, including the requisite latkes ($3.75). Brisket that’s been slow-braised for four hours and sliced thin is available for $26 per pound. That pairs well with a kugel (egg noodles with cottage cheese, cinnamon and sugar) that serves 10 and costs $50. Finish off the meal with a $49.99 cheesecake. // 7263A Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Ellie Bird
Order by Dec. 20
Choose from two holiday take-home specials from Chef Yuan Tang’s acclaimed Falls Church restaurant: The Works includes a main protein such as braised short ribs or roasted chicken with sourdough panade, while a package called Everything But includes everything but the meat. Sides and desserts for either option ($195 each) include baby kale salad with pickled cranberries and roasted butternut squash, thyme and sea salt focaccia; four-cheese mac and cheese; and a flourless chocolate torte. Holiday wine flights are also available for $135 and $165. The restaurant has plenty to celebrate this year, having earned a 2024 RAMMY Award for Best New Restaurant of the Year and a spot on The New York Times’ Best Restaurant List. // 125 Founders Ave., Falls Church
Founding Farmers
Order by Dec. 19, 12 p.m.
Keep your guests happy and well fed with selections such as glazed bacon lollipops ($15), vegan cornbread stuffing ($16), honey-glazed spiral baked ham ($69) and herb-crusted prime rib ($149). Brunchy and snacky things are also available, including bake-at-home cookies (10 for $10), cinnamon rolls ($5) and dark chocolate champagne truffles (six for $12.99). A complete dinner for four features mains such as ready-to-roast honey-glazed salmon or spatchcock half turkey ($189 each), plus bread, soup or salad and dessert. // 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
Immigrant Food
Order by Dec. 23
Not hosting, but don’t want to show up empty handed? Available for pickup every Tuesday through the end of December with a 48-hour preorder, this holiday basket of made-in-house global favs ($95) includes buding, a Salvadoran bread pudding with bananas and caramel; alfajores, Argentine cookies filled with dulce de leche and rolled in coconut; and Ras el Hanout Granola, honey granola mixed with almonds, pine nuts and a Moroccan spice blend. Baskets also contain the restaurant’s signature condiments, such as hot sauce, Thai basil pesto, fresh strawberry jam and roasted banana ketchup. // 4245 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Ballston)
Sloppy Mama’s Barbeque
Order by Dec. 19
Joe Neuman’s ‘cue joint is offering three full spreads that go whole hog (or bird). The Smokin Smorgusbord ($325) serves a party of 10 with a whole smoked turkey, sausage and cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, collard greens, sweet potato casserole, cranberry compote, buttermilk biscuits and gravy. A mini version of the same feast ($150) serves four. Or try the Santa’s Bounty ($150), which packs up a rootbeer-glazed smoked ham, a pint of pimento cheese, a dozen biscuits and one quart of boozy eggnog. The holiday takeout menu also includes many of the same dishes a la carte, as well as meaty crowd-pleasers like brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Place an order online for pick-up on Dec. 22 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Orders will be packed with reheating instructions. // 5731 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Sfoglina
Order by Dec. 20, 5 p.m.
The Christmas Take-Out Box ($175)—packed with a celebratory feast for two—features a warm rosemary loaf and whipped ricotta; arugula and parmesan salad; butternut squash agnolotti; veal Wellington; Christmas cookies; and a Christmas yule log made with chocolate roulade, cassis jam, orange curd, chestnut cremeux and chocolate ganache. // 1100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
Order by Dec. 20, 12 p.m.
Unsurprisingly, the holiday menu at this barbecue joint features plenty of options for carnivores. Get a smoked whole duck with house-made chipotle cocoa rub and chipotle cherry glaze ($75), smoked prime rib ($250), competition brisket flat ($225) or a smoked whole turkey ($135). Accompany your choice of protein with a Holiday Salad of mixed greens, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, goat cheese and toasted walnuts ($30); duck fat roasted potatoes ($15-$42); mac-and-cheese ($18-$52); and Brussels sprouts ($15-$42). Don’t forget dessert: eggnog brioche bread pudding with rum-soaked cranberries and white chocolate ganache ($25), or a pie ($25). // 1051 N. Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon)