Food ready to order

November 24, 2008 8:19 AM

Asking for a friend... What is the (famous?) company that sells pre-cooked meals?

Not simply TV dinners, but fancier than that. She tells me they offer entire meals (for multiple people), or individual servings. Food is completely cooked, and just has to be re-heated. They also carry desserts. She believes they are as well-known as Omaha Steaks. And, they specialize in holiday meals. Any ideas?
(Sorry for the scant description. I'll try to pass more info along, as well as field any questions from the group.)

posted by ObscureReferenceMan to shopping (16 comments total)

Schwan?
posted by beachhead2 at 8:25 AM on November 24, 2008

Schwan's does this. They deliver once a month (or week? I can't remember right now) to your house and you get what you want, all frozen. It was delicious, but rather expensive, which is why we stopped.

I miss Schwan's.
posted by InsanePenguin at 8:26 AM on November 24, 2008

HoneyBaked Ham?
posted by nitsuj at 8:29 AM on November 24, 2008

Not famous, but Rawvolution does this for vegan food.
posted by Manhasset at 8:30 AM on November 24, 2008

Nope. None of these. I didn't think this would be a "stumper".
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:18 AM on November 24, 2008

Magic Kitchen?
posted by mattbucher at 9:31 AM on November 24, 2008

I have vague memories of my mom using Boston Market for holiday food in the late '80s. I think it fits your criteria.
posted by cmonkey at 9:32 AM on November 24, 2008

On the high end, Legal Seafoods will FedEx their stuff to you. (Mmmmm, chowdah!) But I, too, think they meant Schwann's.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:34 AM on November 24, 2008

There are a zillion companies that do this. Maybe Harry and David? Better known for their gift baskets, I'd say, but they do also do turkeys and hams as well as lots of heat-and-eat hors d'oeuvres.
posted by bcwinters at 9:50 AM on November 24, 2008

Negative on Magic Kitchen as well.
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:54 AM on November 24, 2008

Peapod? Dinewise? Home Bistro?

Lots of local and chain grocery stores offer this kind of service, as well. Whole Foods and Central Market do, for example.

You're in New York, so Zabar's?
posted by jedicus at 10:22 AM on November 24, 2008

Your friend might be thinking of A La Zing. They are now part of Omaha Steaks and have been re-branded as "Ready to Serve Complete Meals"
posted by ml98tu at 10:22 AM on November 24, 2008

Oh, if you're in NY I'll also throw out FreshDirect as an option too, but I doubt that's what your friend is thinking of.
posted by ml98tu at 10:24 AM on November 24, 2008

Seattle Sutton?
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 11:00 AM on November 24, 2008

Home Bistro
posted by jozxyqk at 11:15 AM on November 24, 2008

Swanson?
Stouffers?
posted by Pollomacho at 1:33 PM on November 24, 2008