Christmas Dinners To-Go 2020: Orange County Restaurant Specials

Susan C. Schena
Updated ·15 min read

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — For those keen on keeping the holidays kitchen-hassle-free, orange County restaurants abound with takeout offers for Christmas and New Year's Eve dinner celebrations.

And for the restaurant industry — battered this year with COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns — ordering at-home holiday feasts also boosts business for those struggling eateries.

We've selected some standout offers throughout O.C. — from traditional to the more exotic — to fit all tastes and budgets. Peruse the list to see what appeals near you.

And wishing all our readers Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year, from Patch!

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BILLY'S AT THE BEACH: Add Tiki spirit to your holiday celebrations with the iconic Newport Beach eatery's new Hawaiian-inspired Aloha Packs to-go. Options include a "Mai Tai Survival Kit" ($89) with burgers and the "Mahalo If Ya Hear Me" ($99-109) with pupu platter. Details here. Billy's at the Beach is at 2751 West Coast Hwy. in Newport Beach.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: The chain is featuring a "Holiday Family Meal" ($99 for four people) with prime rib, horseradish, au jus, mashed potatoes or rice pilaf, broccoli, eight chocolate chip cookies and molasses bread. This to-go special is available starting Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 through Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve. Individual menu options also available. Orders can be placed herefor take-away or curbside pickup. Click here to find a Black Angus location near you.

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BOSTON MARKET: Holiday Heat & Serve meals are on the menu for a hassle-free celebration. Chilled meals feature entrees, appetizers, sides and pies to feed four to 12 and start at $10 per person. Options include: rotisserie prime rib; spiral–sliced ham; whole roasted turkey; or a combination of turkey breast & honey-glazed ham. A la carte entrees, sides and whole pies can be pre-ordered for pick-up through Jan. 1 (excluding Christmas Day). Details here. There are 24 Boston Markets throughout California.

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BUCA DI BEPPO: A four-course, "Holiday Cake Boss" package can be ordered featuring salad, pasta, an entree and for dessert — a six-inch holiday cake from The Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro & Carlo’s Bakery. While supplies last. Info here. All California locations here.

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CAFE GRATITUDE: Keep it festive with such specials as plant-based, flavor-filled pies and sides as Cranberry Roasted Butternut Squash & Garnet Yams ($30), Maple Miso Brussels Sprouts ($35), Persimmon & Pomegranate Salad ($35), or Executive Chef Dreux Ellis' gluten-free Maple Pecan Spice Cake, Tuscan Apple Cake and Mocha Cheesecake. Also on the takeout menu: DIY Holiday Cookie Kits, plant-based and gluten-free, free of artificial colorings and shortening, with red frosting colored with beet juice, and green frosting made with matcha powder. Place orders online or in-store by Dec. 20 for pick-up Dec. 23 by 9 p.m. at Café Gratitudes in San Diego, Los Angeles, Newport Beach and Venice.

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CHEVYS FRESH MEX: "Holiday Feast To-Go" options include a 10-person, $160 selection or an individual, three-course meal for $26. Orders required with 24-hour notice for pick-up through Dec. 25. The 10-person selection includes: chicken flautas; a dozen tamales; fajita bar with fixings; salad; enchiladas; guacamole, chips & salsa; and a whole pecan pie. The individual meal offers salad, ham or tri-tip entree with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, apple-jalapeno stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet corn tamalito and cinnamon crisp cheesecake. Details here. Find locales in California.

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CHRONIC TACOS: Celebrate the end of the year the #TacoLife way with $5 burrito combos on Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Thursday, Dec. 31 at Chronic Tacos in California. Get a burrito, chips, salsa and drink for $5. The offer excludes fish, shrimp, steak and Beyond Beef. Available only through online ordering and Chronic Tacos App: website and app. At participating locales, so call your nearest eatery to confirm. Details here. Location finder here.

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DEL TACO: The chain is celebrating “Happy Tamaledays” with a new slate of seasoned, shredded pork tamales and a Tamale Fiesta Pack with 12 tamales for the whole family, Salsa Casera and utensils. Location finder here.

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DESCANO RESTAURANT: The Costa Mesa eatery has two holiday offers: Family-Style Pozole, $20, serving three to four; and a Family Holiday Feast for $120, serving four to six. The pozole special includes 32 ounces of pozole rojo (hominy, guajillo chile broth, pulled pork, red onion, chile peron and oregano) and all the fixings to heat and serve. The family feast offers: two pounds of short rib; Rajas Con Crema; fingerling potatoes; elote asado; pozole rojo; and bread pudding. Orders must be placed by Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Order online or call (714) 486-3798. Descano is at 1555 Adams Ave. in Costa Mesa.

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EDDIE V'S: Order from the takeout Holiday Menu, featuring four courses with shrimp-cocktail, starter, salad, dessert and entree choice of tenderloin or sea bass, plus sides. Find restaurants here (San Diego, Palm Desert, Newport Beach and La Jolla) and call soon if you wish to order.

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EL POLLO LOCO: For the holidays, El Pollo Loco is bringing back three classic favorites: Tamale Bowls; Chicken Pozole Verde; and Mexican Hot Chocolate. Also on the holiday menu: 10- and 14-piece family dinners. Locations here for El Pollo Locos.

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EL TORITO: Pick up a "Holiday Feast To-Go," for up to 10 people or an individual, three-course meal, through Friday, Dec. 25 with 24-hour notice. The 10-person feast offers: Chile Colorado or carnitas; one dozen tamales; taco bar with fixings; enchiladas; Mexican Caesar salad; and whole pecan pie. Individual meal offers: Mexican Caesar; ham or tri tip; mashed potatoes; green bean casserole; apple-jalapeno stuffing; gravy, cranberry sauce; sweet corn cake and cinnamon crisp cheesecake. Find California locations here.

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FARMER BOYS: Farmer Boys is serving its seasonal, fan-favorite Boston Clam Chowder and Scratch-Made Chili. Made with potatoes and sea clams, the chowder is simmered in broth and seasoned with herbs and spices, while the chili is made with 100% pure beef, a proprietary blend of spices and topped with cheddar cheese and onion. The duo is available at all locations for a limited time. Location finder here.

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FOGO DE CHAO: New to-go packages on the holiday menu serve up to six people and start at $130. This limited-time, takeout deal includes a choice of roasted turkey, lamb steak, picanha and more – plus Brazilian takes on such classic holiday sides as sweet potato casserole, Brazilian Sausage & Apple Dressing, sautéed asparagus, cranberry relish and Candy Cane Fudge Brownies for dessert. Pre-ordering and 24-hour advance notice is required. For Christmas Eve pick-up or delivery, order by Tuesday, Dec. 22. For Christmas Day, order by Wed., Dec. 23. Delivery where available. See website here. Locations in San Jose, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, San Diego and Irvine.

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FRESH BROTHERS: A new, holiday special running through the end of 2020 is a Lasagna Family Meal, which serves six to eight for $39 and includes a tray of lasagna, 12 Fresh Knots and a Caesar or fresh salad. Also new to the menu is a Wings Bundle, ($49.99) with three new sauces – Nashville Hot, Mango Habanero and Korean BBQ, plus 50 baked wings. Fresh Brothers locales are throughout Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Orange County and San Diego.

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FUEGO AT HOTEL MAYA: The Long Beach restaurant is offering "FueGO ToGO" Christmas Eve & Day dinner specials. Executive Chef Juarez’s appetizers include corn chowder, apple and candied-walnut salad, or tamales. Entrées feature: Mary’s Farm Roasted Turkey with potato purée, beans, dressing and orange cranberry compote; Chilean Sea Bass with spinach, potatoes with arugula and lobster garnish; Tenderloin of Beef with Brussels sprouts, potato and carrots; or Sofrito Quinotto – gluten free and vegan. Dessert is Apple Pecan Caramel Cheesecake. For order and pick-up on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25, follow this link or call 562-481-3910. Fuego is at 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach.

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GELSON'S: The Southern California markets are offering holiday dinner options, plant-based or traditional, for groups as large as 12 or small as two. Choices included roasted turkey, prime rib and brisket, plus plant-based hazelnut cranberry roasts. Featured sides: mashed potatoes; cornbread stuffing; green bean casserole; and butter-flake dinner rolls. Deli & catering, as well as fresh meat and seafood, can be added. All Christmas orders must be placed by Dec. 23. For a list of complete meal and a la carte selections and to place pre-orders, go here. Find your nearest Gelson's here.

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GRACIAS MADRE: Locations in West Hollywood and Newport Beach are taking orders for Executive Chef Mario Alberto's vegan, sweet and savory tamales to-go. Orders must be placed by Dec. 20 for pick-up Dec. 23. The Christmas tamales are $48 per dozen. Ordering details here. Gracias Madre locations: 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; and 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach.

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IHOP: The Holiday Family Feast, a four-serving, pancake-party kit with Sweet Milk Mousse, OREO® Cookie Pieces, glazed strawberries and festive sprinkles, comes with with eight buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage, is available for delivery, curbside pick-up and pick-up inside for $27.99. Details here. Location finder here.

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JIMMY JOHN'S: Patrons can enjoy $5 off any order of $20 or more, using promo code “5OFF20” through Dec. 20 before placing an order online or via Jimmy John’s App for curbside pickup or contactless delivery. See California locales here.

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MARCHE MODERNE: In Newport Beach, husband-and-wife chef duo Florent & Amelia Marneau (and team) are creating special Christmas Boxed Dinners To-Go. Enjoy house-smoked salmon, seared scallops with Meyer lemon jus, prime beef filet with sauce au poivre, potato gratin + Chef Amelia's Paris Brest for dessert. Luxe add-ons, from Shigoku oysters on the half-shell to caviar blinis and lobsta, are available. A limited number of Christmas boxes (serves four; $495 for pickup on Christmas Eve) will be first-come, first-served. Orders can be placed at 714-434-7900 from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Info here. Marché Moderne is at 7862 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach.

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MARIE CALLENDER'S: Select from six, take-home feasts with options for ham, turkey, prime rib or a combo. Dinners include trimmings and such sides as mashed potatoes, creamed corn, salad, cornbread and pie. See info here. Find your nearest Marie Callender's here.

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MASTRO'S RESTAURANT: A "New Year's Eve To-Go Package" is available for two people with four options from $295 to $575. All come with party hats, noise makers, blow horns and balloons. Call to order. Info here. The offer is at the following locales only: Beverly Hills; Newport Beach; Malibu; Thousand Oaks; Palm Desert; San Francisco; and Costa Mesa.

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MIGUEL'S JR.: The restaurant's famous holiday tamales and homemade pozole are back for the season, with Mary’s Tamales available through Dec. 31 and pozole through Feb. 16. Order online for curbside pick-up, drive-thru or delivery. Miguel's Jr. locales are in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

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MORTONS'S THE STEAKHOUSE: A three-course, prix-fixe "Chateaubriand Menu" can be ordered for Christmas Eve and Day for pick-up. $75 per person with a two-person minimum. See details here. Find locations here.

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NORMS: A deal running through Jan. 9 offers patrons, who spend $25 or more, a free individual take-home comfort meal — either Fettucine Alfredo, Roasted Turkey or NORMS’ iconic meatloaf. The $25 can be in the form of any purchase whether it’s $25 worth of gift cards, family meals, coffee, etc. It all counts! Those who spend $50 or more will receive two, free take-home comfort meals, $75 gets three and so forth. Also at the diner chain: family meals to-go, including steak, burger and breakfast packages. See website here. Find NORMS locations and store phone numbers here.

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OLD VINE KITCHEN + BAR: Preorder and enjoy an upscale dinner for two from the comfort of home with Old Vine regionally inspired cuisine and wine. New menu options offer takeout meals for two, from $65 to $115. Among selections: “The Vegetarian” with one Old Vine Salad, Caprese, Porcini Mushroom Mac & Cheese and Tagliatelle Pomodoro ($65); and “The Classic” with one Spinach Salad, Caprese, Beef Stroganoff and Pappardelle ($85). Add wines by the bottl, or additional sides and desserts, like Grandma’s Cheesecake or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, for $10. Call (714) 545-1411 to order. Old Vine Kitchen + Bar is at 2937 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

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ORANGE HILL RESTAURANT: This iconic eatery is offering Family Meals to-go, with pick-up daily through Chistmas Day. The meals are heat-and-serve for four to six people, and include a choice of prime rib, salmon or turkey, plus trimmings, salad, jalapeno corn bread and a dessert platter with mini seasonal pies. Orange Hill is located at 6410 E. Chapman Ave. in Orange. Follow this link for menu and ordering details.

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PATXI'S PIZZA: On New Year's Eve throughout California, Patxi’s Pizza is offering 20% off all takeout orders and any 14-inch, thin-crust specialty pizza for $20. Both offers will be available Dec. 31 only and can be redeemed in-person or via phone, app or online with code BYE2020, and no minimum purchase is required. Follow this link for details. Patxi’s Pizza shops are located here.

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PIEOLOGY PIZZERIA: Celebrate the season with daily specials using Pie Life Rewards App. Running through Christmas Eve, Pieology offers: Dec. 20: crust upgrade; Dec. 21: A surprise & delight; Dec. 22: $2 off custom pizza; Dec. 23: $5 off $25 purchase; Dec. 24: BOGO. Customers who order ahead for pick-up get 10% off when using promo code “10OFF” at checkout. Also guests who purchase $25 in gift cards by Dec. 31 receive free Pizza Bonus Card to use through Jan. 31. Find California shops here.

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PIZZA HUT: Pizza Hut is delivering the Triple Treat Box for the holidays, with three courses in one festively wrapped box. Each Triple Treat Box features a three-in-one meal, with two medium one-topping pizzas, five breadsticks and 10 Cinnabon® Mini Rolls. The meal is for a limited time at traditional Pizza Hut locations nationwide, starting at $20.99. Find your nearest Pizza Hut here.

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RED LOBSTER: Party platters galore are on the menu for to-go or delivery and sure to appeal to seafood lovers. Don't miss this year's Limited-Edition Cheddar Bay Biscuit Holiday Gift Boxes. Or select the “Give a Gift, Get a Gift” holiday gift-card promo through December with every $50 spent on Red Lobster gift cards purchased in-restaurant or online, including two bonus coupons to be used in January and February. Details here.

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RUBIO'S COASTAL GRILL: The long-time holiday tradition, Langostino Lobster, is back on Rubio’s menus through Jan. 5. Drizzled in warm, garlic-herb butter, Langostino Lobster this year is featured in the new Puerto Nuevo Burrito, the Langostino Lobster Bowl and a new Puerto Nuevo two-taco plate that includes a Langostino Lobster Taco and Original Fish Taco®. Rubio's locations here.

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RUTH'S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE: "Chef's favorite" prix-fixe meals feature a starter, entrée & a personal side and can be ordered for pick-up or delivery. Options include a "Celebration Surf & Turf," with two lobster tails and choice of filet. See promo details here. Locations here.

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SLAPFISH: Ring in the holidays with a decadent Lobster Pot Pie, available through Dec. 31 at the flagship Huntington Beach location. The $14 elegant entree, with carrots, celery, peas, potatoes, 8 ounces of lobster meat and topped with a flaky, puff-pastry crust, serves two to four, and is available as a take-and-bake option. The flagship Slapfish is at 19696 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach.

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SLATER'S 50/50: The annual 24 Karat Burger and a new Peppermint Milkshake are on tap all December at Slater’s 50/50 restaurants in Fresno, Pasadena, Valencia and Huntington Beach. The 24 Karat Burger is made with a half-pound, Wagyu beef patty topped with 24-karat gold-dusted “billionaire” bacon, truffle cheese, arugula and bacon jam on a 24-karat gold-dusted brioche bun. New this year, the milkshake starts with a peppermint mocha shake, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, and garnished with a fudge brownie and peppermint bark candy. See here for restaurant addresses.

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SUSHI ROKU: Just in time for the holidays, Sushi Roku, with locations in Newport Beach, Pasadena and Santa Monica, is rolling out all-new sushi boxes for takeout. The Sushi Fix ($28 and $26 at Pasadena and Newport Beach) includes five-piece nigiri, spicy tuna cut roll or baked crab hand roll, sunomono & edamame; The Deluxe Sushi Fix ($42 - all three sites) offers seven-piece nigiri, toro jalapeno cut roll, baked crab hand roll & edamame; and the Allstar Specialty Roll Pack ($95 and feeds 4 at Pasadena and Santa Monica) features Katana Roll, Gensai Roll, Senshi Roll, White Lotus Roll, Tuna Jalapeno Roll and Baked Crab Roll. Restaurant's website here.

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WOOD & SALT TAVERN: The recently opened eatery in Long Beach is selling holiday gift baskets with salami, homemade pastas, sauces, olives, cheeses & even date mostarda. Lunch and dinner menus also offered for take-out and delivery. All restaurant industry workers, with proof of employment/recent employment, can take 25% off orders upon pick-up. Wood & Salt is at 4262 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach.

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If you know of other standout, restaurant holidays specials, share with Patch readers in the comments sections.

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FOR REGION-SPECIFIC GUIDES:

This article originally appeared on the Orange County Patch