Life is full of choices indeed. You can either cook food at home or simply place an order for quick ready-to-eat meals.

Today’s food takeouts, like home-cooked meals, are diligently prepared by foodies themselves.

Inquirer Lifestyle has compiled a list of reliable and delicious food-to-go dishes you can check out.

The list covers a good range, from chicken, pork and beef to pasta, noodles to vegetarian fare—from chicken galantina and Japanese tofu steak to misua and lengua.

These are all homemade dishes, none of them available in restaurants.

1. MEATLOAF
Come-on: There are plenty of flavors you will recognize and enjoy in this dish—ham, Vienna sausage, pork, pickle relish, raisins. But this meatloaf stands out with the addition of bacon strips for covering. It’s actually a great trick for enhanc ing the meat’s richness, color and body.
Cost: P350 for 1 kilo (good for 20 persons); P180 for ½ kilo. It can come with creamy mashed potato for additional charge.
Packaging: Placed in an aluminum pan, covered with plastic wrap. Order a day in advance. For pick-up only.
Contact: Josie Sioson, 87 Kanlaon and Maria Clara Sts, Sta. Mesa Heights, QC. Tels. 7402024 and 4140109.

2. CHICHARON PUSIT
Come-on: Great for cocktail parties as pica-pica. Extra-crispy fried pusit seasoned with powdered chili and iodized salt and served with crispy spinach or saluyot. The pusit beautifully crumbles in your mouth like pork chicharon. It comes with a dip of bagoong balayan. Yes, the dip may seem unusual but the briny sauce enhances the salty-spicy flavor of the seafood.
Yoly Lising is also known for her pork loin paired with candied camote on the side.
Cost: P950 (good for 25 persons) for party tray; P250 (good for 4-5 persons) in medium-sized plastic container
Packaging: Laminated party tray and air-tight plastic container. For pick-up only.
Contact: Yoly Lising, 87 Kanlaon Street and Maria Clara Sts, Sta. Mesa Heights, QC. Tels. 7402026 and 09177011217
3. BIRTHDAY MISUA
Come-on: If there’s one dish that captures the happy moment of a special occasion, it’s the Birthday Misua that’s Chinese in origin. Smooth in taste, rich in flavor and quite filling, the stir-fried misua noodles are tossed with Chinese mushrooms, shredded pork or chicken, slivers of scrambled egg and garnished with tons of shrimps. This 48-year-old recipe is best eaten upon delivery.
Cost: P1,450/1 kilo (for 20 persons); P725/1/2 k (for 10 persons)
Packaging: Laminated plastic container. For pick-up and delivery within San Juan City and Quezon City and Makati City for a minimum order.

Contact: Ric Lim of Lim’s Bakeshop, 604 General de Jesus Street, Little Baguio, San Juan City. Tels. 7258851, 7252059 and 3861165.
4. LASAGNA
Come-on: Its goodness lies in the addition of toasted garlic bread on top of the pasta that adds texture to the concoction. The dish is then baked to perfection. The result: rich, creamy and yummy. The secret is in what they call “layering of flavors” — four layers of lasagna stuffed with ground pork and beef with creamy cheese in between.
Chef Mitchie Sison is deluged with orders especially during the holiday season. She can also make chicken lasagna and vegetable lasagna (with eggplant, squash, camote, malungggay, etc.)
Cost: P1,500 for an order
Packaging: Aluminum tray. Order three days in advance. For pick-up and delivery within Makati City.
Contact: Chef Mitchie Sison. 4757-D Barasoain St., Makati City (near South Avenue and JP Rizal) and 48 Aguilar St., San Francisco del Monte, QC (near West Avenue). Tels. 5198905 and 09178206435
5. KANI WRAP
Come-on: This kani wrap looks and tastes invitingly good with its soft, chewy and refreshing filling of crabsticks, ripe mangoes, cucumber and lettuce delicately wrapped in rice paper. These bite-sized morsels are much more delicious when dipped in light dressing, consisting of yogurt, mango sauce and non-fat milk. Kani wraps make great snacks or cocktail food.
Me-Anne Aristorenas also serves delicious crispy nacho wraps and tuna walnut crisps.
Cost: P680 for 24 pieces. Order a day in advance.
Packaging: Ceramic plate. For pick-up only.
Contact: Me-Anne Aristorenas. No. 143-B A. Juan and R. Lagmay St., San Juan City. Tels. 5845344 and 09167438206

6. CURRY VEGETABLE PIE
Come-on: What do you get when you pack good-for-you vegetables into one dish? A knock-out Curry Vegetable Pie that will have you eating seconds — and maybe even thirds! Chef Alice Ty’s curry pie offers a nice mix of curry leaves, turmeric, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, cabbage, oyster, mushrooms, ginger, Indian curry spice mix and fresh coconut milk underneath a filling brown rice.
The curry pie has two versions: with coconut milk and with basil and tomato soy milk.
Ty also sells frozen Vegan Kare-Kare that comes with vegan bagoong (made of fresh dessicated coconut, fermented soy beans, shoyu, coconut oil, sea salt, annatto seeds and garlic).
All of Ty’s food products are natural ingredients, no artificial flavors, no chemical additives, no preservatives and no sugar. All dishes come with cooking instructions.
Cost: Single size for P90.
Packaging: Aluminum foil and plastic container. Available daily. For pick-up and delivery.
Contact: Chef Alice Ty, Vegan Macrobiotics. Tel. 09228148193. Check out https://VeganMacrobiotics.weebly.com

7. LENGUA MECHADA
Come-on: Prepare your taste buds for this amazing ox dish: slices of very tender ox tongue delicately cooked in Spanish-style tomato sauce and dressed up with potatoes, carrots and black olives.
The thick sauce alone is rich and satisfying, with the perfectly mellowed flavor of secret herbs blending very well with the meat. The tongue is not sliced too thick so it is melt-in-your-mouth soft. It keeps well and improves in flavor days even after it is cooked. Lengua is in a class of its own. It is perfect for sit-down dinners with family and friends.
Cost: Available in three sizes: duo (good for two servings) P350; family (4-6 servings) P800; and party size (8-12 servings) P1,400.
Packaging: Microwavable plastic container and aluminum tray. Three-day advance notice requested. For pick-up only.
Contact: Dorothy Ferreria. Tels. 7239722 or 09195669977

8. JAPANESE TOFU STEAK
Come-on: Junk preconceived notions about tofu especially if this is as awesome as this Japanese Tofu Steak. This pan-roasted tofu is marinated in miso and served like a sandwich with strips of nori in between, topped with tofu crumbles and drizzled with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds on top.
This dish is quite easy to digest and has the smoothness and light body you always expect in tofu.
Apart from tofu, vegetarian and yoga instructor Denise Celdran also serves a bowlful of Soba Noodle Salad with assorted sliced veggies and lettuce with oriental dressing, and Vegetarian Kare-Kare.
Cost: P250 (good for two persons).
Packaging: Reusable plastic container. Order a day in advance. For pick-up and delivery within Makati and Ortigas commercial center for a minimum order of P500.
Contact: Denise Lim, Edgy Veggy Vegetarian Delivery Service. Apartment 326 Dona Feliza Condo, 338 Robinson Circle Road, Pasig City. Check out https://edgyveggy.wpordpress.com.

9. Lebanese-style Chicken WITH GARLIC SAUCE AND HOMEMADE PITA BREAD
Come-on: Modern convenience and Mediterranean-style of cooking come together here, making this roast chicken extremely flavorful. The chicken is marinated in paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin and cinnamon and roasted to perfection. It has a hearty rustic flavor. An order comes with four pita bread pockets.
Though it’s supposed to be eaten with bread (like eating a shawarma), it’s also best eaten with rice like the fabled lechon manok—but on a higher level. The tender and juicy meat is shredded into pieces and placed in pita pockets with a spread of garlic paste.
Cost: P280 for a kilo of chicken with four pita pockets, garlic sauce. Add P10 for additional pita bread.
Packaging: Wrapped in aluminum foil and placed in paper bag with reheating instruction. For bulk orders, call in advance. For pick-up and delivery (City Delivery 87878).
Contact: Chef Trisha Ocampo and Em Lingao of Zahnouk. 10 San Rafael St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Tel. 09233286059 and 3482249.

10. CHICKEN GALANTINA
Come-on: This chicken stuffed with ground pork with a rich cheesy flavor is a festive way to treat the family and friends. The savory mixture of ground pork, sausages, cheeses, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, raisins, red bell pepper, pickle relish, etc. is enhanced by a specially concocted béchamel sauce.
The addition of chorizos makes this galantine truly special. It prods you to relish every bite. It goes well with rice or hot pan de sal and its leftovers make a good torta omelet, too.
Cost: P900/1.25 k chicken. It comes with a gravy or bechamel sauce.
Packaging: Styrofoam. For pick-up and delivery within Metro Manila. Available daily. For bulk orders, call in advance.
Contact: Fely Evangelista of Mary’s Kitchen. 169 Calamba St., Talayan Village, QC. Tels. 7114475 and 09053422227.

11. PORK BARBECUE
Come-on: Homemade barbecue tastes so much more delicious and gratifying than the commercial variety. Like these tender pork barbecues that combine sweet, salty, smoky and spice-laden flavors in one enjoyable dish. There’s not a single day that maker Des Torres doesn’t get a barrage of orders for her barbecue, either cooked or frozen.
She’s been at it for the past 10 years. Her barbecue (chicken or pork) maintains its soft, tender, juicy consistency even when eaten the morning after.
Cost: P510 for 30 pieces. Can order cooked or uncooked.
Packaging: Placed in a cake box. Available daily in regular size (8-inch stick) or cocktail size (6-inch stick). Minimum of 10 pieces order. For pick-up only.
Contact: Des Torres. No. 16 Cabildo Street, Urdaneta Village, Makati City. Tels. 09175399861 or 8106201

12. SALT AND PEPPER SPARERIBS
Come-on: This salt and pepper spareribs is as good as it gets, but a little extra TLC has gone into it which really pays in terms of flavor.
The tender pork is marinated in a special blend of spices, fried to perfection and tossed with garlic and pepper bits. It’s served with vinegar dip with bits of garlic and chilies.
Cost: P1,800 per tray food for 20 persons.
Packaging: Disposable aluminum food tray and covered with plastic wrap. It comes with written reheating instructions. Order three days in advance. Delivery may be arranged for a minimum order.
Contact: Eleanor Ty of Kitchen Hobbies Cooking Center. No. 28 M. Cuenco Street, Rm. 203 Victoria Villa, QC. Tels. 7765373, 09088687473 and 09209204822

13. CALLOS
Come-on: This callos has it all — a touch of spiciness, a bit of sweetness, and tons of texture with nice thick sauce. The ox tail and tripe are slow-cooked to tenderness with Spanish chorizo, garbanzons and olives in mildly spicy tomato sauce. A favorite comfort food, callos is a must-have standby food in many Filipino homes.
Cost: P640 for 6-8 servings; P940 for 10-12 servings
Packaging: Microwavable plastic container. Order three days in advance.
Contact: Ditas Dizon of Geraldo’s. Tel. 09178465399 or email [email protected]

14. ROAST STUFFED CHICKEN (Rellenong Manok)
Come-on: This has been an all-time favorite for many generations and occasions. Indulge in this stuffed mixture with hearty pork stuffing, sausages, veggies and spices, and baked until golden brown. The roast chicken can be served hot or cold.
Cost: P900/order
Packaging: Red-colored carton box with handle. Three days advance notice requested. For pick-up only.
Contact: Jane Lim. Rm. D506, 1447 G. Masangkay, Tondo, Manila. Tel. 09157578507

15. REESE’S SECRET
Come-on: Get dinner rolling with this pan-grilled barbecued tenderloin strips bathed in secret barbecue sauce. It can be eaten with rice or pita bread. It’s a long-time favorite of Rai Tai’s clients. Owner uses fresh organic pork, organic corn-fed beef, and free-range organic chicken in all their dishes. No MSG, preservatives, or other harmful chemical additives.
Cost: Organic Pork at P950 for a tray good for 12-15 persons; Organic corn-fed beef at P1,250 for a tray good for 12-15 persons
Packaging: Aluminum food tray. Order two days in advance.
Contact: Rai Tai, Mrs. Piggyboo’s Homemade Products. Tel. 6226098 or 09178989737