Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. is currently airing on Bravo, and while past seasons have inspired us to reserve a table and eat out, the era of self-isolation has changed all that. The restaurant business is hurting, but you can help out—even from the comfort of your own home. If you’re sick of daily PB&Js and midnight boxes of mac and cheese, you’ll want to add these spots to your quarantine meal rotation. (And check out the other guides in this series: California and Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies, the Northeast, and the South.)
KEVIN SCHARPF
SEASON 16
Brazen Open Kitchen
DUBUQUE, IOWA
Expect approachable yet creative comfort food—such as loaded duck confit nachos, BLT pizza, and leek fondue—at this New American restaurant in Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District. You can pre-order on the restaurant’s website and opt for curbside pickup so you don’t even have to get out of your car.
JAMES RIGATO
SEASON 12
Mabel Gray
HAZEL PARK, MICHIGAN
A James Beard semifinalist for four years running, this Detroit metro area restaurant draws on eclectic culinary influences, meaning your takeout meal might include za’atar-spiced dinner rolls, coconutty Caribbean seafood chowder, and Italian chicken “pot roast.” The ordering process is delightfully old-school: Email your order a day early to mabelcarryout@gmail.com, wait for a confirmation email, and then pick up your meal curbside.
CJ JACOBSON
SEASON 3 + 10
Aba
CHICAGO
At this Fulton Market District Mediterranean restaurant, the menu of mezze, spreads, and grilled meats skews light and summery: green falafel with avocado tzatziki, marinated olives and feta, grilled Moroccan-spiced chicken cutlets. The large-format cocktails kits, on the other hand, are decidedly more heavy-hitting: The Negroni kit, for instance, includes a recipe, three oranges, and full bottles of gin, Campari, and vermouth—enough for 30 drinks. It’s all available for delivery on DoorDash.
BEVERLY KIM
SEASON 9
Parachute and Wherewithall
CHICAGO
Kim and husband Johnny Clark received a James Beard Award and a Michelin star for their Korean-American restaurant Parachute. You can now order dishes like yukgaejang (brisket stew), maeuntang (spicy fish stew), and bing bread for takeout or delivery on Tock or Caviar. The couple also recently debuted Wherewithall, just down the road, which is offering homey classics like mortadella and cave-aged cheddar sandwiches and chicken-spinach pot pie for takeout or delivery on Chownow.
EVE ARONOFF
SEASON 6
Frita Batidos
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
This Cuban-inspired street-food spot takes its name from the island’s shoestring-fry-topped burger variety, which you can order here for pickup five ways: chorizo, beef, black bean, chicken, or chorizo. The restaurant is also offering a make-it-yourself sandwich bar (with either chicken salsa verde or pulled pork for four) and three-course special “Eve dinners” on Friday and Saturday nights.
FABIO VIVIANI
SEASON 5 FAN FAVORITE, SEASON 8 ALL-STARS
Siena Tavern
CHICAGO
Among the Florentine fan favorite’s expanding restaurant empire is this Italian tavern and market by DineAmic Hospitality in Chicago’s River North area. Curbside and delivery options (via Caviar) include scratch-made pastas, Wagyu meatballs, and a “pizza challenge kit”: follow the recipe, post yourself cooking on social media, and challenge your friends to make their own pies, with all proceeds benefiting the DineAmic Employee Relief Fund. Delivery orders also include a complimentary $25 gift card.
