Perhaps the omicron variant of COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in your holiday plans, or maybe you just haven’t had time to plan out Christmas dinner.
Maybe you aren’t celebrating, but still want a nice dinner this weekend. Either way, here are 17 last-minute takeout options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Avli Taverna
Holiday meal boxes can be picked up on Christmas Eve after preordering. Food can be ordered hot or cold with reheating instructions, making for an ideal Christmas feast of oven-roasted lamb shoulder with Greek potatoes ($46 per person); turkey breast with feta-whipped mashed potatoes ($38); or a roasted half-chicken ($36). Add on a tray of baklava ($50 for 48 pieces) for a delicious dessert. 1335 W. Wrightwood Ave., 773-857-5577, avli.us
Bar Roma
Pick up an array of holiday specials, starting off with lentil soup served with baked bruschetta, and a smoked salmon pinwheel topped with caviar. Spicy spaghetti arrabiatta comes studded with shrimp and scallops, while butter rum cake gets a spike of holiday spirit with a scoop of eggnog ice cream. The Christmas Eve specials, along with the regular menu, is available for carryout from 4:30-9 p.m. Friday. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com
Beatrix
Through Christmas Eve, holiday cookie decorating kits are available at Beatrix locations in Streeterville, River North, Fulton Market and Oak Brook. Each decorating kit ($18) includes six cookies, four icing bags, sprinkles and candy. Kits are available for pickup and delivery. Locations vary, beatrixrestaurants.com
Bub City
Open on Christmas Eve in River North for live band “carol-oke,” this barbecue joint will offer carryout and delivery of its regular menu, which includes dishes such as prime beef, Berkshire pork shoulder slathered with Memphis-style barbecue sauce, and a full slab of ribs. 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4200, bub-city.com
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar
Preorders are still available for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at this Bucktown bar specializing in takes on Chinese-American fare. Pick up pot stickers, twice-cooked pork with bok choy, or mapo tofu with ground pork — and don’t forget a classic almond cookie for dessert. 2165 N. Western Ave., 773-666-5143, chefsspecialbar.com
Chikatana
A festive holiday awaits with Mexican specialties from this West Loop restaurant. Popular entrees include braised chicken mole tacos, pozole verde and carne asada for two. 850 W. Fulton Market, 312-374-1620, chikatanachicago.com
Daisies
Order ahead for Thursday delivery or pickup of fresh, house-made pasta and sauce that you can put together at home for a cozy, delicious dinner. Options include pappardelle, truffle ricotta ravioli and sumptuous sauces like mushroom ragu and pomodoro sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes. Don’t forget some wine to pair with the meal. 2523 N. Milwaukee ave., 773-661-1671, daisieschicago.com
Dusek’s
Order delivery from this contemporary Pilsen restaurant’s extensive menu, from marinated eggplant with whipped robiolina cheese to pork schnitzel with mushrooms and cabbage. Finish off with a slice of Kentucky butter cake boasting notes of orange blossom, lemon and caramel. 1227 W. 18th St., 312-526-3851, dusekschicago.com
Ema
Christmas takeout packages ($59 per person) are available and ready to heat up for either Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner. Order by 2 p.m. Thursday for pickup or delivery Friday and feast on rotisserie chicken with parsnip purée and a lemon-thyme jus; beef tenderloin kebabs warmed with shawarma spice; and halvah cookies for dessert. 74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586, emachicago.com
Formento’s
Order from this Italian West Loop restaurant’s full menu for pickup or delivery through Christmas Eve. Start off with appetizers like whipped ricotta topped with pistachio hot honey or fried calamari, then feast on pasta such as bucatini carbonara with pancetta, or squid ink orecchiette with rock shrimp. Bone-in rib-eye steaks, lamb chops with a mint pesto and a whole grilled branzino make it possible to go all out on a fancy dinner served right at home. 925 W. Randolph St., 312-690-7295, formentos.com
The Goddess and Grocer
Premade Christmas food can be picked up to-go at the four storefronts in Bucktown, Gold Coast, River North and the West Loop that will be open for select hours on Christmas Eve. Pick up holiday cookies, pies and cakes, along with savory pickup options. Locations vary, goddessgrocer.com
Jade Court
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While it’s too late to order this Chinese restaurant’s Christmas dinner special, you can still order from its regular menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Choose from the Hyde Park favorite’s egg foo young, a whole chicken with crispy skin, a two-course Peking duck dinner, or the lobster and Dungeness crab special. 1516 E. Harper Court, 773-966-4106, jadecourtrestaurant.com
Kura Sushi
Feasting on sushi couldn’t be easier with this Schaumburg outpost’s holiday sushi tray, available for carryout or delivery on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The assortment of nigiri or sushi in the two variety trays ($29 each) make for tasty sampling, with enough variety to satisfy any sushi fan. 1719 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg; 630-283-0654; kurasushi.com
La Josie and Solazo
Specially available through Christmas, La Josie’s tamales will be available by the dozen or half-dozen through the end of December. Order tamales verdes with roasted chicken and tomatillo salsa; or the rajas con queso with pickled jalapeño. Sister restaurant Solazo will also be serving up orders of tamales from its new Southwest Side location, including one made with pork and guajillo salsa. 740 W. Randolph St., 312-929-2900, lajosie.com; 5600 S. Pulaski Road, 773-627-5047, elsolazo.com
Soul & Smoke
Some of Chicago’s best barbecue could make for an ideal Christmas dinner from this Evanston-based restaurant specializing in slow-roasted, smoked and braised meats. Pickup and delivery is available from the Evanston and Avondale locations until 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Its holiday menu includes specials like Cajun-smoked turkey breast ($25), smoked beef brisket ($35), braised duck quarters ($39) and roasted holiday ham ($20). Add on rum punch or peach bourbon tea to really get in the holiday spirit. 1601 Payne St., Suite C, Evanston; 3517 N. Spaulding Ave; 847-859-2732; soulandsmoke.com
Sushi-San
Celebrate the season as they do in Japan and dine on fried chicken with a Japanese twist. Available for Christmas Eve pickup if you order by 5 p.m. Thursday, guests can enjoy this holiday special for two ($95) featuring a bucket of togarashi fried chicken, mashed potatoes with yakitori gravy, delicata squash, XO green beans and Okinawa sugar pie. Wine, sake and whisky can be added on for an extra shot of fun. 63 W. Grand Ave., 312-828-0575, sushisanrestaurant.com
TL’s Four Seasons Chinese & Japanese
A full spread of Chinese and Japanese favorites can be ordered for takeout from this northwest suburban restaurant. Select from noodle dishes like lo mein or shrimp udon, sushi platters, and signature dishes like crispy honey sesame beef. 110 W. Bartlett Ave., 630-830-1988, tlsfourseasons.coms
Holly Baumbach is a freelance writer.
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