Desperation Dinners

Who cooks anymore? The metro is boiling over with “make and take” shops where you spend an hour or two bouncing from station to station, preparing a week’s worth of freezer-friendly food. Everything is fresh, prechopped, quick to measure, and the staff cleans up after you—they also eliminate the “make” step for überbusy folks who just want a fancy pickup option. We sifted through the bunch to see who’s dishing what.

ChefSpace
Blaine, 763-717-7890
Signature Dish: Beef bourguignon
$SCOOP: $12.75–$27 per meal (serves 6)
Pickup: No additional charge and last-minute too!
Sweet perks: If you like the concept, but have a tiny freezer—you can pay per dish.

Dinner Tonight
Lakeville, 952-898-3006
Signature Dish: Chicken Capobianco
$SCOOP: $12–$22 per meal (serves 4–6)
Pickup:  Add $2 per meal
Sweet perks: Lots of kid-friendly food and conveniences—you get to keep the French toast Pyrex pan.

Home Appetít
Chanhassen, 952-380-3463
Signature Dish: Coq au vin
$SCOOP: 5 meals for $95, 8 for $145, 12 for $199 (serves 4–6)
Pickup: Add $25 for 5–8 meals; $35 for 12
Sweet perks: French-country-style kitchen has comforting upscale recipes that use Penzeys spices. Parties of eight or more get free brownies.

Let’s Dish!
Four metro locations
Signature Dish: Louisiana–style jambalaya
$SCOOP: 8 meals for $135, 12 for $180 (serves 4–6)
Pickup:  Order online; add $25 for 8 meals, $35 for 12
Sweet perks: Supercute hair wraps and aprons, plus multiple locations, make it popular for a girls’ night out.

Mix It Up
Three metro locations
Signature Dish: Orange-bourbon salmon
$SCOOP:  8–14 meals for $5–$14 each, after base fee of $40–$65 (serves 2-6)
Pickup: Add $35
Sweet perks: Products come from high-end local retailers, such as Franklin Street Bakery and P.B. Loco, plus each session comes with a free pantry item.

My Dinner Party
Elk River, 763-633-2233
Signature Dish: Baked beef chimichangas
$SCOOP:  5 meals for $95, 8 for $145, 12 for $179 (serves 4-6 or can be split)
Pickup: Add $15 for 5 meals, $25 for 8, $40 for 12
Sweet perks: Package price includes side dishes, so clear out the Sub-Zero in advance.

Simply to the Table
New Hope, 763-417-0028
Signature Dish: Chicken with green beans and peanut sauce
$SCOOP:  8 meals for $130, 12 for $170 (serves 4–6); 9 smaller meals for $99 
Pickup: Add $40 for 8 meals
Sweet perks: Customers get half off on their next session after five 8-meal sessions or a free session after ten 8-meal sessions.

Sociale Gourmet
Three metro locations
Signature Dish: Balsamic pork tenderloin
$SCOOP: 8 meals for $145, 12 for $189 (serves 4-6); 9 for $110; (serves 2-3)
Pickup: 8 meals for $145, 12 for $189 (serves 4-6); 9 for $110; (serves 2-3)
Sweet perks: Le Cordon Bleu–trained chefs offer culinary flair and give downtown workers an easy skyway spot for last-minute dinner parties.

Super Suppers
Three metro locations
Signature Dish: Chicken–and–white bean chili
$SCOOP:  6 meals for $109, 12 for $189 (serves 4–6)
Pickup:  Add $25 for 6 meals, $35 for 12
Sweet perks: Tuscany–inspired atmosphere; appetizers and beverages passed during each session.

Supper Thyme USA
Medina, 763-478-9800
Signature Dish: BBQ-chicken pizza
$SCOOP:  6 meals for $100, 12 for $170 (serves 4–6)
Pickup: Add $15 for 6 meals, $30 for 12
Sweet perks: So far, it’s the only west-metro location. Package is offered that includes free side with entrée.