The end of the year can get busy, and planning or hosting holiday meals is just another thing to add to the growing list of to-dos. Thankfully, there are plenty of Houston restaurants that offer catering for groups of all sizes to make life in the kitchen a little less hectic.
Pre-order a chef-curated meal, and give yourself the gift of convenience this year. From whole feasts with all the fixings to a la carte options for when you just want a little something extra to add to the table, these 11 spots around town have you covered.
Jashn Catering
Jashn Catering is the newest venture by Kahani Social Group. The team, founded by brothers Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh with chef Jassi Bindra, is behind Pok Pok Po and bōl in Midtown Houston, Amrina in the Woodlands, and Kitchen Rumors near Sawyer Yards. Jashn translates to celebration, and the group does exactly this by elevating special occasions with Bindra’s eclectic and elegant take on Indian cuisine. The menu focuses on Indian flavors like Tandoori and Masala (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options), but there are other options that run the gamut from seafood, a Tex-Mex board, and Indo-Chinese fare. Meals are delivered in disposable and sustainable containers that will make setting up and cleaning up a breeze. jashn.social.com
Duckstache Hospitality
The Japanese-focused restaurant group led by chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham has seven concepts across the Houston area, including Aiko, Handies Douzo, and Kokoro, and they recently launched catering services. With catering, the group brings the magic of its restaurants home with the option to set up a personal omakase experience onsite, delivering freshly made handrolls, nigiri and sashimi to your guests. duckstache.com
The Butcher’s Grille
This family owned and operated Lebanese American restaurant, which serves an all-halal menu, started in Michigan and opened its Houston outpost this past summer. The restaurant is open for regular service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but for those looking to host friends and family at home, it is also offering holiday trays. The chicken and gravy party tray with grilled chicken and mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy is $90 and serves 6-8 people. Mezza party trays are also available as a supplement to holiday meals. Choose from hummus ($30), baba ghanouj ($38), and tomato kibbeh ($37), with each tray serving 8-10 people. Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance.butchersgrille.com
The Pit Room
This beloved Texas smokehouse, with two Houston-area locations, was recognized by the Michelin Guide for its second year in a row, designating it as one of the best barbecue spots in the city. You can order post-oak smoked meats in bulk year-round, and have a feast for 5 to 50. The Holiday To-Go menu features a whole smoked turkey breast (5-pound average for $105) brined for 48 hours with brown sugar, sage and apples; a whole brisket (5-pound average for $125) with a quart of barbecue sauce; and a honey-glazed smoke ham (6-pound average for $75). Add pre-batched cocktails like the Margarita or the Bold Fashioned (a take on the old fashioned made with spiced turbinado). thepitroombbq.com
Tribute at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
The hotel and resort in the heart of the city has thought of everything when it comes to putting together the perfect intimate Christmas affair. The team at the Houstonian’s onsite restaurant, Tribute, has prepared a Christmas To-Go package for four featuring a traditional meal of holiday classics. The meal consists of prime rib of beef with au jus and horseradish, sides of au gratin potatoes, haricot vert, and heirloom baby carrots, as well as four honey butter yeast rolls. For dessert, a Bûche de Noël is included. The package is $350 for the public and $325 for members. The Houstonian’s onsite floral shop, Sage ‘n’ Bloom, can up the experience with a beautiful centerpiece for an additional $150. Orders must be placed by Friday, December 19 for pick up on Christmas Eve. houstonian.com
Guard & Grace
For smaller groups, this modern steakhouse helmed by chef Troy Guard, offers the Houston Holiday Box, which serves up to six. The meal comes with a choice of caramelized black cod, prime rib, or prime beef tenderloin for the main entrée; accompanied by an array of seasonal sides like truffle mac and cheese, potato gratin, braised winter greens and oak-grilled heirloom carrots. The meal is complemented with a honey butter brioche bread pudding for a sweet finish, and can be elevated by the addition of sommelier-curated wine bundles. The Houston Holiday Box ranges in price from $395 to $499, depending on the entree, and is available to pre-order through Wednesday, December 17 for pick up on Christmas Eve. guardandgrace.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s
This New York style delicatessen has the holiday season, from Chanukah to New Year’s Eve, covered with platters and fully curated dinners. Chanukah packages include a family dinner meal for up to eight people for $235. The meal starts with Kenny & Ziggy’s famed chicken noodle soup, matzo balls, and brisket and latkes. Meanwhile, a full holiday meal with a whole turkey, stuffing, a choice of two sides, and an apple pie is available for $335.75 and can serve up to 12. There is an array of a la carte options, with everything from chopped liver to braided challah bread. Orders can be placed online and need at least 72 hours’ advanced notice. kennyandziggys.com
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
What started as a small Mediterranean style delicatessen and grocery in 1983 has grown into a destination for Houstonians seeking artisan baked goods, hard to find specialty items, wines, cheeses, and prepared foods. Find everything you need to host year-round gatherings, but during the holidays, Phoenicia makes things especially simple. The full holiday package serves 8-12 for $195 and comes with a whole turkey, choice of three sides, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and a pie. Creating your own feast is also an option. Mains include whole halal turkey ($9.99 per pound), spiral cut ham with brown sugar glaze ($13.99 per pound), and boneless leg of lamb ($22 per pound); sides like Lebanese cauliflower, green bean casserole, and savory bread stuffing are $8.99 per pound. Orders can be placed online for pick-up at either Phoenicia location. phoneciafoods.com
Feges BBQ
You can trust that your holiday meal is in good hands with the husband-and-wife team, Patrick Feges and Erin Smith at the helm. Order from Feges BBQ’s holiday menu that features smoked turkey breast ($65), whole brisket ($180), and whole rack of pork ribs ($54). Like the meats, the sides are showstoppers—from pimento mac and cheese, Korean braised greens, and loaded potato mash, each available for $50 for a pan that will serve 10-12. Add rum raisin bread pudding with caramel sauce ($60), and an order of tamales, and have no regrets. Orders can be placed through Friday, December 19 for pick-up at the restaurant. fegesbbq.com
Rainbow Lodge
This Houston institution is well known for its location inside a 100-year-old log cabin and wild game menu. While you can’t take the ambiance with you, you can bring its staple meats and sides to your table at home. The Holiday To-Go menu includes roasted meats such as bison tenderloin (4-pounds for $420) and venison loin (3-pounds for $300), while grilled meat options feature elk chops for $40 each and a 2-pound South Texas Nilgai (antelope) loin for $240. Whole grilled Texas quail can be ordered by the pair for $24; and whole roasted duck, large enough for two, is $65. The restaurant’s signature smoked duck and andouille gumbo is available by the quart for $18, while seasonal side dishes that serve four, like French green beans with shallots, mashed potatoes, and wild mushroom risotto, can be added on for $24 each. To pre-order, call the restaurant with three days advance notice. The final day for holiday pick-ups is Tuesday, December 23. rainbow-lodge.com
Hungry’s
The local family-owned chain has been serving its Mediterranean influenced menu in the Houston area for more than 50 years. They have holiday catering covered with options ranging from a la carte appetizers and mains to sides, including a plant-based potato salad and mac and cashew cheese. A feast for 10 is $235 and includes an oven-roasted turkey with brown gravy, corn-bread stuffing, mashed potatoes with poblano mushroom sauce, a green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and a seasonal pie. For a smaller group, you can create a menu for $90 by choosing from oven-roasted turkey breast or a honey-glazed ham and three sides. Orders can be placed online with 24-hour advance notice. hungryscafe.com
Local Table
From the team behind Hungry’s, Local Table centers around globally inspired fare that focuses on fresh, local produce and ingredients, and its offering plenty of takeaway options this season. The holiday family feast, which serves up to 10, is $235 and includes an oven-roasted turkey with brown gravy, corn-bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, a green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and a seasonal pie. If you don’t need the whole shebang, choose from hor d’oeuvres like mini crab cake bites, falafel bites, chicken skewers, and a la carte entrees like honey glazed ham. Orders can be placed online with 24 hours advance notice. eatlocaltable.com
