Back to School Lunch (or Dinner) Bunch

That collective wail you hear is not just the kids it’s parents too, Summer is over and school is back in session, just not necessarily in the actual school. So whether it’s virtual, hybrid, in a pod or in the school everyone is figuring out what balancing school, work and life looks like. And with all the added stress figuring out breakfast, lunch and dinners doesn’t need to be one. DC Area chefs and restaurants to the rescue! 

Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern has introduced a new family meal option available for curbside pickup. Three meals are currently available. Each includes a rotating selection of proteins and three sides, with prices range from $75 to $145. The family meal provides enough food to feed a family of two to four. Dishes include roasted chicken, arugula and kale salad, and more 1201 24th Street NW; 202.419.6755; blueducktavern.com

Cheesetique
Cheesetique has introduced a new back to school lunch kit. Kits include Essex St. gouda (cow, Holland), mini Finocchiona salami, kingsbury chocolate-covered potato chips, dried apricots, and crispy crackers for pairing. Once can add the Dear Mom Oregon Rosé to round out your platter. 2411 Mt. Vernon Avenue; cheesetique.com

Lebanese Taverna
Lebanese Taverna has introduced their family meal platters serving 2-4. Available for carryout and delivery from their Baltimore, Pentagon, Tysons, Westover, Woodley Park locations. Family meal kit options include garlic and lemon roast chicken: oven-roasted potatoes, Lebanese home salad ($75), chicken shawarma: basmati rice, Lebanese house salad, hummus, garlic sauce, and pita bread ($55), and hummus kit ($29). lebanesetaverna.com

NRG Provisions 
NRG provisions if offering a new “lunch box” with Red Apron cold cuts, fresh-baked bread, an assortment of cheeses, condiments, and Buzz Bakeshop’s take on lunch box desserts. Offerings include herb-roasted turkey, mini rice krispie treats, swiss cheese, and more.  2000 Mount Vernon Avenue; 703.549.5051;nrgprovisions.com

Shouk
Shouk wanted to bring its plant-based, modern Israeli street food to people outside the standard delivery range. So, co-owners Ran Nussbacher and chef Dennis Friedman created a program called Hood Drops, which services areas of D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia through Shouk's own internal delivery. Through the restaurant's app, diners find the day Shouk will be delivered to their neighborhood, place their order, and then pick up from a convenient location. Menu offerings include eggplant burger, mushroom shawarma, and more. 655 K Street NW; 202.945.4747; shouk.com

Sticky Fingers
Sticky Fingers is offering cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and bake-it-yourself cookie and pancake mixes for a family-friendly, hands-on activity. The bakery also ships a selection of prepared baked goods and DIY mixes for mail-order delivery nationwide. The baking kits feature ingredients, decorations, and recipes for Sticky Fingers' award-winning cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and other treats (all made without dairy, eggs, or other animal products). Sticky Fingers is also launching a series of virtual after-school baking classes led by award-winning baker Doron Petersan. The kid-friendly classes will take place on Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. beginning September 15, and will highlight classic sweet and savory treats, all plant-based. Classes are available both live or recorded and can be purchased individually or as a full semester of eight along with a kit of ingredients, recipes, and more. Classes are available here. 1370 Park Road NW; 202.299.9700; stickyfingersbakery.com

Stellina
Stellina Pizzeria recently launched Stellina Bottega, an online market providing Italian pantry items, as well as frozen pizzas, ready-to-eat lasagna, homemade pizza, and pasta kits, and DIY cannoli kits. 399 Morse Street NE; 202.851.3995; stellinapizzeria.com

Taco Bamba 
Taco Bamba is offering “Prepare Your Oven Kits” with pick up now and build your own tacos later, with a choice of up to two re-heatable fillings, including tinga, barbacoa, carnitas, and spicy ’shroom. The $42 package includes 20 corn tortillas and 16oz of pico de gallo. Available for carryout from all locations. 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church, VA; 703.639.0505; tacobamba.com

The Yards
The Yards is ringing in back-to-school with Back to The Yards. While this school year looks different for many students and parents, The Yards will be giving away free boxes of fun school supplies curated for younger Yards guests when they dine-in or pick up take-out from any Yards Restaurant on Friday, September 25th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Back to The Yards boxes will contain fun, colorful essentials for back to school (or homeschool), wherever that may be! Boxes are limited to one per family, while supplies last, for pick-up at The Yards Park. Back to The Yards boxes will include supplies such as pencils, notebooks, post-its, stickers, and highlighters. For participating restaurants, visit theyardsdc.com/shop-dine.