The tastiest food tray options that won’t use up your holiday bonus
Can you smell Christmas yet?
I don’t just mean the lights and decorations on the streets and in our living spaces. I’m also talking about the holiday food offerings popping up here and there, be it in physical stores, online shops, or both.
The Yuletide season has made its way to various restaurants we know and love. While we can’t enjoy them there like we used to due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can have them delivered to our doorsteps and still experience such joys with a small celebration.
A mini gathering need not break the bank. There are food brands selling group meals in all their deliciousness without making us use up our holiday bonus. Here are some family platters that cost P2,000 and below—and satisfy about 4-5 people (you included).
Alba Restaurante Español has food boxes that are good for 2-3 pax. Each one features a variety of Spanish favorites: paella valenciana, pollo al ajillo, and caldo gallego for P1,110; paella valenciana, lengua sevillana, and champignon al ajillo for P1,300; paella con setas y pesto, salpicado de solomillo, rabas fritas, and gambas al ajillo for P1,800; and the paella valenciana, lengua sevillana, callos a la madrilena, and tarla de embutidos also for P1,800.
Picking just one dish for a family feast is no easy feat. If your family is the type who wants a little bit of everything, go for Max’s All-in-One Tray (P1,199/5 pax). The platter, which comes with a liter of sago’t gulaman, is divided into three sections for your choice of lumpiang shanghai or tinapa rolls, sweet and sour fish fillet or tofu fries, as well as some of its crowd favorite fried chicken in cut-ups. These dishes have proven their goodness to many Pinoys, but what takes it up a notch is the flavored rice. Don’t order the usual java—go for tinola or adobo rice to make it quadruple times tastier.
Do you prefer buttermilk fried chicken (BFC) over spring fried chicken? The best thing about the former is how it makes the chicken flaky on the outside and oh-so-tender on the inside. If you agree, Kettle’s BFC Family Platters (P1,195-P1,495/4 pax) would make a great addition to your dining table. Each serving showcases the perfection of buttermilk fried chicken with some cornbread muffin and your side of choice: steamed rice, truffle gorgonzola (highly recommended!), or chicken bolognese.
Speaking of buttermilk fried chicken, another affordable platter that has it as the star of the show is Fireside. Its trays to-go feature its own take on the delightful BFC that can be mixed and matched with some pizza, spaghetti, mac and cheese, corn, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, macaroni salad, and/or apricot chipotle glazed ribs. Good for 4 pax, the prices range from P1,195 to P1,395.
Tender Bob’s can be a godsend for families of four who want to enjoy a variety of meat for lunch or dinner. For P1,395, you’ll have some good quality porkchop, chicken steak, ribeye steak, and pork ribs—all grilled to perfection—with its equally tasty steak/java rice.
What better way to step up your meat game than with Meat Plus? Check out its group offerings: Meat Platter A (P1,520) with pork chops, pork BBQ ribs, roast beef belly, and grilled chicken and the Meat Platter B (P1,630) with pork BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, and fried chicken. Served with five cups of rice, five drinks, some kernel corn, and mixed vegetables, each tray is good for five people.
In the mood for some Chinese food on a budget? You guessed it—Chowking has come up with a bigger and meatier version of its Pork Chao Fan that comes with steamed or fried pork siomai platter (12 pcs.). The package is priced at P290 and is good for 2-3 pax.
Happy holidays, everyone!