Summer Ease

Best OC picnic and party pickups. Gourmet Pacific Whey to Gina’s Pasta. Why sweat the cooking, when you can dial, dash and just enjoy yourself. Cheers.

Get the picnic or party started with more gourmet and less headaches. Here’s a list of some PLM fave foodies that cater.

Pasta Love: Order from Gina’s Pizza and Pasteria and pick up chilled pasta salad bliss with mozzarella cheese, veggies, ranch dressing. ALWAYS a hit. Main meal or side dish good. (They also have very good pizza, hence the name.)

Mexican Style: Say hello to their little friends. Las Golondrinas has mini burritos perfect for the party’s little people. They also have massive portions for big people ... tamales, tacos, yea the whole enchilada. It’s a little known joint in Laguna Niguel with cater-size portions.

Chic Sandwiches: Why do the same ol’ sub scene when there’s Cosi at South Coast Metro? They’ll whip up healthy, hearty party sandwiches that are upscale in taste and presentation. They also have great salads too.

Salad, Anyone?: Speaking of must-have greens, Cosmos Italian Kitchen offers large-sized salads for parties. Seek the John’s creamy Italian dressing fyi. OMG good.

Veggie Good: Lucille’s BBQ is perfect for party-size portions of corn on the cob and other veggies. Down home style recipes (psst, many like the macaroni too.) Chaparosa Grill is another way to go for veggies more on the gourmet side and presentation-pretty.

Fruity & Fresh: Pacific Whey (several locations now) has amazingly fresh, fruit bowls that guests will rave about during and after. It’s not just fruit, it’s in-season, exotic perfection: kiwis, papaya, pineapple yum. You can also hit ‘em up for their famous desserts. Over-the-top good stuff.

With so many options—and many very affordable—why cook and cleanup when you can dial and go? Enjoy the summer outta the kitchen, OC moms!