Get home after a long day of work, put on some sweats, grab the phone and start dialing. Sometimes there's no better course of action than calling in an order of takeout at a favorite restaurant. These 10 best takeout restaurants in the South Sound all have easily accessible online menus, fast service and well-packaged food to go. Embark on an around the world tour by way of takeout menu and your taste buds.
Thai food is a craving that just doesn't quit. Pull up to Silk Thai Café on Sixth Avenue during the dinner rush and find a line of hungry folks waiting to pick up their excellent yellow curry ($8.95) or drunken noodles ($8.95), loaded with veggies and choice of protein. Peruse Peanut Sauce Thai's (5003 Tacoma Mall Blvd.) online menu for vegetarian specialties such as avocado curry ($10.95) or a light and fresh papaya salad ($8.95).
Go south of the border with a stop at Tacos Guaymas in Lakewood and Tacoma - a favorite for their super burrito, a mere $7.95 for an almost foot-long burrito loaded with grilled meats, rice, beans, guacamole and all that is good on this earth. Eat it while driving, at your own peril.
For something a little out of the ordinary, Tatanka Take-Out on North Pearl Street serves up a mean bison burger ($8.95) or bison chili ($5.95), packed with protein and low in fat. Who knew? Nearby, stop into Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante (2207 N. Pearl St.), but don't sit in the main restaurant. Step up to the deli counter for a menu of Italian sandwiches and salads that are meant to be ordered at the counter and taken to go.
Both of Hunan Garden's locations in Lakewood and Gig Harbor are takeout standbys for good reason. Their portions are huge, and hit the spot while watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory. Don't miss their sizzling rice soup ($4.75/small) and garlic prawns in the shell ($15.95) that will have you licking your fingers and wishing you had ordered more.
Ammar's Mediteranean Grill (409 E. 26th St., Tacoma) has arguably the best gyros and falafel in town, which are the perfect takeout food. One hand holding your pita pocket of Greek deliciousness, one hand on the steering wheel.
The best Indian food in town is found at Gateway to India (Tacoma's Sixth avenue and Gig Harbor) where a simple phone call and a 15 minute wait gets you creamy saag paneer ($12.95) and rich chicken tikka masala ($13.95), served with a smile.
Pho can be tricky for takeout, but it's also kind of fun. Make sure it's packaged with the broth separate from the noodles and meat, so you can add it right before eating, like at Pho V & V (5434 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma), where the food is MSG-free and intensely flavored.
Last but not least on the culinary takeout road trip is sushi, which makes for an excellent takeout food.
In the heart of downtown Tacoma, Fujiya serves up some of the freshest maki rolls and nigiri, and has a robust takeout menu that's perfect for lunch eaten at the office, or a picnic dinner at Point Defiance.
Put these restaurants on speed dial and bring home some of the best food the South Sound has to offer, traveling the world one cuisine (and at-home date night) at a time.