Take-out has become a coping mechanism for diners and restaurants, helping both endure the long, dark weirdness of 2020. Over the months to come — in the stressed out space between today’s bubbles and tomorrow’s vaccines — Take This Out will focus on the delicious things we can all take home.

First up is Meeru Dhalwala, co-owner and chef of Vij’s Restaurant…

What is the take-out item you sell the most of?

The item we sell most of on our take-out menu is our Braised Grass-Fed PEI Beef in Bengali Style Creamy Curry.

What is the take-out item you think everyone should try, and why?

Lamb in Cumin and Coconut Curry (topped with our sprouted lentil and beet salad). This is a rich, creamy curry — dairy-free and not too rich on the coconut — with tender grass fed, hormone/medication-free lamb. Everyone associates Vij’s with lamb popsicles, and while I’m very proud of our popsicles, rack of lamb isn’t very good as take-out. It’s an expensive cut and should be eaten straight off the grill. Plus, there are so many delicious ways to eat the different cuts of lamb, Indian style! When my vegetarian-at-home parents used to come to Vij’s (they both passed recently) dad always ordered the lamb curry while mom ordered the goat (she didn’t like the smell of lamb). FYI, we also have the goat curry on our take-out menu! And goat is the leanest and cleanest red meat – it’s even leaner than chicken breast.

Next up, we head to Kitsilano, to get the inside scoop from Katie Ingram at Annalena…

What is the take-out you sell the most of?

We are currently offering a weekly evolving 5-Course Tasting Menu. Until April 11th 2021, we are featuring our G.O.A.T. [Greatest Of All Time] Menu in celebration of our 6th Anniversary!

What is the take-out item you think everyone should try and why?

Insider secret, you can add an order of our signature torn bread with smoked tallow butter to any Take Away order.

Moving on to Jeff Parr, to give us the scoop on Hundy…

What is the take-out you sell the most of?

Our Bacon Cheeseburger made with a 100% beef patty, crispy bacon, melted cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles, hundy sauce and our signature bun.

What is the take-out item you think everyone should try and why?

Classic Breakfast Sandwich & ketchup-spice dusted tots. A part of your completely balanced breakfast!

Next up, we revisit Parr, this time at his cafe concept, Their There…

What is the take-out you sell the most of?

As the caffeination station around here, anything from our baristas.

What is the take-out item you think everyone should try and why?

Our Mochi Doughnuts – need we say more?! Be sure to come down early to avoid any disappointment!

Finishing up with Brad Miller, owner of the newly relocated Red Wagon…

What is the take-out you sell the most of?

We do a lot of breakfast and brunch takeout. The Trucker (two eggs, two pancakes, home fries, toast, choice of bacon or sausage) and our Super Trucker (two eggs, two pancakes, home fries, toast, pork belly and pulled pork) are our most popular takeout items.

What is the take-out item you think everyone should try and why?

Not a lot of people know that we make two different burgers, one for daytime and one for nighttime: our Red Wagon burger which flies a bit under the radar and is available for dine-in and take-out before 2pm, and our very popular Bistro Burger which is available after 5pm for dine-in only. All our meat comes from Two Rivers and we grind our beef, cure and smoke our bacon in house. Both burgers use a blend of beef brisket and shank and are served on a brioche bun. Our Red Wagon burger is a more of a diner-style bacon and cheese burger with a compressed patty, classic cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo and mustard.