meal prep/cooking type services?

[heliocentric]

We got SIL a gift certificate to Dream Dinners a few years ago, but she never told us any reviews.

Let's Dish is another option.

I personally haven't used either, so I can't speak to quality.

[rubytue]

I have friends who have done Lets Dish in NoVA multiple times.

[boiler717]

I'm a self-proclaimed foodie, make everything from scratch and still think Dream Dinners is a great thing for my husband and I. They aren't the best meals ever, but they are good quality, nutritionally decent, and I save a ton of time on prep/planning and it's definitely cheaper than take out.

We primarily use them for weekend lunches, in lieu of take out or my husband eats them when I travel.

It costs approx $180 for 18, 3-serving meals. Typically I have to add a salad or another veggie to the meal so I would say it costs about $12/meal or $4 pp per meal. Definitely cheaper than take out. We go every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how much I travel.

[boiler717]

More on what you do. Every month you pick what stuff you want to order. For Dream Dinners you need to order at least 36 servings and every thing comes in things of 3 or 6. There are at least 15-20 choices a month. There are also sides and breakfast items to add on, and you can change your options even the day of while you are there.

You show up at your scheduled time with coolers or boxes. They have 10 stations set up in a kitchen with 2-3 meal prepped per station. There are maybe 6-8 people per session. You go around combining ingredients to make your meals, and can customize if you want things spicier or don't like mushrooms or whatever. They clean up after you. Everything is prepped into ziplock bags or foil casserole dishes with the instructions. It takes about an hour to make 18 meals.

When you get home, everything goes into the freezer. Most things need defrosted before you can cook them but some can cook from the freezer so there is a bit of planning ahead.

[boiler717]

Most places are very diet and customizable friendly so I would just speak to the owner. I have friends in your area who use Let's Dish so I would come menus and prices to Dream Dinners and see what's better.

[ladygrey]

I have done Let's Dish before and it was just okay. If you're comfortable in the kitchen and have time to do your own prep (chopping veggies and meats), it feels a little silly to pay $$ for the service. I could see it being useful for working moms, etc. who don't have much time to prep meals.

[gtkim]

I use Dinner Afare. In my area they are now delivery only. They aren't always as good as something I could do on my own but they are a life saver with my killer commute. I looked up Let's Dish and they are not in our area.

[LoveTrains]

I do Dream Dinners. I love it. It's easy and tasty. I do 12 meals a month.

[scsarah]

I do Dream Dinners and love them. They've made such a difference our eating habits - portion sizes are easier to get right, and it's so much easier knowing there's something for dinner, instead of always just doing whatever's easiest.

I would recommend contacting the store itself to see if they'd be willing to work with you on dietary concerns. I know the store I go to is usually really good about substituting things (rice for pasta, or the proteins for other ones etc.), and you can usually ask about upgrading sizes/quality of meat. They'd probably be willing to see if they can help you out.

I'd also recommend (since it sounds like you've got a few options) that you see if each version can do a sampler session. That's how I started - you go and instead of getting 36 servings, you get 18, or something like that. Then you have the option of trying a little from each company, and seeing what's different, and what you like best.

Also, you may want to consider getting a stand alone freezer, if you don't have one, so that you have space to put everything after you go to a session.

[hulley]

I might be the lone dissenter on Dream Dinners, but I wanted to share my experience. I did it a few times and was thrilled with the convenience and the idea of always having something for dinner, but no longer go. The past two times I went (a few months apart, so I don't think it was a one-off thing), the meat wuality was not so good. I had to spend time trimming the chicken breasts, leaving us with small portions that weren't enough food for dinner. I felt like, for the price, the meats should have been trimmed and "restaurant quality". I can buy chicken at the grocery store and trim it myself if that's going to happen anyway.

When I first started I loved Dream Dinners, and felt the price was very reasonable. At least at the one in my area, that is no longer the case. Maybe the stores that aren't individually owned are better? This is the only option in my area so I can't compare. I hope you have better luck, it really is a great thing to have!

[mrshabious]

I am in NoVA. I am currently eating my way through my Diet to Go groupon. It is pretty decent. I order online nad pick the food up at my gym.

Not sure if they do gluten free but it is worth looking in to.

[LoveTrains]

Dec 31, 2012 10:58:10 GMT -5 hulley said:

I might be the lone dissenter on Dream Dinners, but I wanted to share my experience. I did it a few times and was thrilled with the convenience and the idea of always having something for dinner, but no longer go. The past two times I went (a few months apart, so I don't think it was a one-off thing), the meat wuality was not so good. I had to spend time trimming the chicken breasts, leaving us with small portions that weren't enough food for dinner. I felt like, for the price, the meats should have been trimmed and "restaurant quality". I can buy chicken at the grocery store and trim it myself if that's going to happen anyway.

When I first started I loved Dream Dinners, and felt the price was very reasonable. At least at the one in my area, that is no longer the case. Maybe the stores that aren't individually owned are better? This is the only option in my area so I can't compare. I hope you have better luck, it really is a great thing to have!

that is really interesting - thanks for sharing. That is too bad that the meat quality wasn't that great.

I do think they are all individually owned franchises. I haven't had any problem with the chicken at my location. They are all boneless skinless breasts that are probably 4 oz portion sizes. That is actually one of the reasons that I like it, because it encourages me to eat only one portion.

At one time they were trying these "choice size" meat portions taht were 8 oz. The chicken was nasty because it was a bone in breast/wing combo. that fizzled and they really only did it for a month or so at my location.