Takeout: Who's Tried Something New?

So I've noticed that, thanks to lockdown, I'm trying more new restaurants on Postmates or via takeout than I would have normally. Has anyone tried anything that's been a pleasant surprise? I've got a few to juice discussion.

Agave and Rye: delicious tacos, very strong margaritas, and the bourbon slushy drink they have is beautifully complex.

The Black Italian: Italian meets soul food. We got pretty much one of everything on the specials menu for the day: garlic parm potato wedges, grilled marinated chicken wings, smoked beef bolognese, soultalian greens (greens with meatballs and orzo), and something else that escapes me that turned out to also be phenomenal, possibly an Italian chef's salad. Wonderful folks, too, who threw in a free kid's meal for the baby (who also loved her garlic formaggio pasta).

BurgerIM: already talked about it, thumb's up.

Jake and Elwoods: also loved it, probably already talked about it, too.

Anyone else venturing outside of your standards in search of new culinary treats in these times?

[Robin Garr]

Really good question, Ron. We haven't ordered too much takeuot/curbside yet, but so far it's been more in search of familiar comfort food from familiar places - fried fish at Moby Dick and a pizza from MozzaPi. Now you're challenging me to try something new next time, though!

I get takeout three times a week, but have done the opposite and supported places that I already like to do my part to help out. Grind, Kashmir, Joy Luck, Boombozz, will get Havana Rumba when they reopen in the Highlands. I do want to try the Black Italian, will break my trend and check it out this week.

We tried two new places in La Grange. A little Chinese place that has since closed due to supply issues and Savor Mex, a quaint little Mexican place in the same shopping center. We loved both and Savor Mex has been getting a LOT of our business during the lockdown. They are a nice blend of Americanized Mexican and more authentic fare. We've been trying to support as many small guys as we can!

I get takeout three times a week, but have done the opposite and supported places that I already like to do my part to help out.

I've done both. I've made special attempts to support places that I love, and I've made an effort to branch out to new places. Since I'm working from home, my lunch budget is now freed up for exploration, so I'm taking that and trying new things while hopefully not neglecting old favorites. I know my favorite spots are struggling, but I also know that there are probably amazing things out there that I would have eventually tried that might not make it until normalcy is restored.

My fiance is on a game meat kick, so we ended up at (you guessed it) Game on Monday for some carry out. We live in the wilds of Fern Creek so we don't normally venture that far into the city for food. He absolutely loved it (his order was kangaroo and elk meatballs and an elk burger) and insists we are going back next week. I was having an off day stomach-wise so I didn't try anything. I may go for a venison or bison burger.

We'd been to Royals in J-town before the pandemic struck, but when they started the donuts on weekends, my fiance again insisted on trying it. They were quite tasty.

In general, we're trying to support locals that we already love like Milantoni, New Wave Burritos, RecBar, and Sala Thai. Metro Diner isn't local, but they offer excellent carry-out options. I'm also not ashamed to admit I've hit up Popeye's drive through for those blasted delicious sandwiches for more than once and Panera because sometimes my stomach just needs something soothing. They are making rapid progress on the new Panera in Southpointe Commons, and I will be so happy when I can get my plum ginger hibiscus tea fix on the regular.

I may be going into Chinese food withdrawal since Double Dragon has been closed for over a month. I hate to see so many of our favorite Chinese places shuttered.

Side note: All this driving around has led me to believe that the pandemic is making people drive like fools. I've seen things the last few weeks that never happened prior to the pandemic (inventing their own turning lanes, for one). I'd probably order carry-out more if people weren't being idiots.

The Black Italian: Italian meets soul food. We got pretty much one of everything on the specials menu for the day:

Did a similar this today and it was great. Wings, wedges, creamy pasta, salads, even the modest garlic bread got raves. They are also nice folks, tossed in a free slider and since they were missing one minor ingredient in a salad, told me to remind them next time for a free one. It was also a rare place that the whole family all really liked, so we will return. I do hope they expand their modest hours once things get back to normal-ish.