Best Take-Out and Delivery Options for Richmond's Singles

You can tell a lot about a person from the contents of their shopping cart at Martin’s. Are they vegan? A crazy cat lady? A health nut? Alcoholic? In my case, my shopping cart screams “single person,” what with the hundreds of Lean Cuisines, a bottle (or two) of cheap red wine (Tisdale, anyone?) and a selection of Us Weekly, Cosmopolitan and People magazines.

Admittedly, eating at home is the best way to dine on the cheap and save money. But sometimes, the idea of making one more turkey sandwich or heating up yet another Chicken Primavera Lean Cuisine sounds worse than a 10-hour marathon of Bad Girls Club. Sometimes, you want to go out to eat and have someone else prepare your meal for you. But for us singles, we don’t always have the luxury of having a dining partner to take us up on spur of the moment restaurant cravings. Luckily, Richmond has some pretty fabulous take-out and delivery options for us single folk that won’t break the bank. We’ve compiled a list of the best of the best for singleton take-out and delivery (no McDonald’s or Pizza Hut here!) So grab those take-out menus, and start ordering!

8 ½ (401 N. Strawberry Street, (804) 358-8505, 25-35 minutes average waiting time): This teeny gem of a restaurant on Strawberry Street is hands down one my favorite parts about living in the Fan. A take-out only Italian spot, 8 ½ is owned by the same foodie geniuses behind Mamma’Zu and Edo Squid. The Tuscan Tomato soup ($4) is a savory treat for chilly days, paired with the Arugula, Mozzarella and Prosciutto hero ($9, pop it in the oven at 350 for ten minutes for added crispiness.) The red pizzas, starting at $8, are thin and flavorful and made with only the best ingredients.

Joe’s Inn (201 N. Shields, (804) 355-2282, 10 minutes average waiting time): Joe’s Inn is a staple in the Fan, and has a loyal following of regular customers who come in for subs, spaghetti, Greek salads and more. The best part about picking up food from Joe’s Inn is the fact that the actual pick-up location is across the street (at Shields Market), avoiding the awkward standing around in a crowded restaurant scenario. South Siders, check out the Fernleigh location at 2616 Burford Road,(804) 320-9700).

Sticky Rice (2232 W. Main Street, (804) 358-2633, 20 minutes average waiting time):  Sticky Rice’s creative menu offers everything from sushi rolls to tater tots to noodle dishes. Their pick-up location is also conveniently located across the street at Sticky To Go Go, and your order will almost always be ready quickly. Try the Snap, Crackle and Pop roll (fresh salmon, cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, tobiko and tempura crunchies, $8) or the famous Sticky Balls (tuna, crab, siracha rice in an inari pocket deep fried topped with scallions, wasabi dressing and eel sauce, $9). Added bonus: Sticky Rice now delivers. If you live in the Fan between Broad and Cary Streets from Belvidere to Thompson Streets, you're in luck. You can get your tots and Sticky Balls delivered to your doorstep after 5 p.m. for free.

Ettamae’s Café (522 N. 2nd Street, (804) 888-8058, 15 minutes average waiting time): Tucked away in Jackson Ward, Ettamae’s is the new culinary darling of the downtown foodie world.  With simple, no frills cooking and delicious choices, Ettamae’s is the perfect place to pick-up lunch or breakfast (they also deliver Monday-Friday). For breakfast, try the bacon, egg and cheese on a roll ($3.50) with a side of stone ground cheese grits ($1.50). For lunch, grab a sandwich of your choice either “lonely” (sandwich only), “two street” (add your choice of side), or “three street (add your choice of side and dessert). You can’t go wrong with a classic Reuben on marble rye ($6.50/$8.25/$9.50).

Belmont Pizzeria (206 N. Belmont, (804) 888-9861, 15 minutes average waiting time):  For pizza lovers, the run-of-the-mill, cookie cutter pizzas from Domino’s or Papa John’s will simply not do.  Picky pizza snobs, rejoice: there’s a new (Italian) kid in town. They’re open until 3a.m. on the weekends, and they deliver ($12 minimum). Personal pizzas start at $5.50, and the hearty, filling sandwiches (try the Eggplant Parmigiana) start at just $6.50 for a 6”. This pizzeria is on the verge of being huge, so get in on the action now.

Tarrant’s Café (1 W. Broad Street, (804) 225-0035, 20 minutes average wait time): Richmonder’s love Tarrant’s for date night, but just because you don’t have a special someone doesn’t mean you should be deprived of the deliciousness that is Tarrant’s. Open for lunch seven days a week and dinner on the weekends, Tarrant’s menu is creative and serves up the tastiest options. Try the mini lump crab cakes ($10.95), the Tuscan chicken wrap ($8.95), or the classic lasagna ($13.95). Oh, and they deliver, too!

Athens Tavern (401 N. Robinson, (804) 353-9119. 15 minutes average waiting time): If you’re craving Spanakopita or Mousaka, look no further than Athens Tavern. Athens’ menu offers authentic Greek cuisine at a very reasonable price. Favorites include the Kalamria dinner ($13.95, served with garlic sauce, house salad and one side order) and the Pistichio ($13, Greek lasagna, with a layer of béchamel cream, baked with meat sauce and mozzarella. Served with a house salad). The portions are plentiful and you’ll definitely have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Enjoy with a side of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Opa!

Dinner for one doesn’t have to be depressing. You can enjoy excellent food without the awkward silences of a first date (and in your most comfortable sweatpants, no less).

What are some of your favorite take-out or delivery spots in Richmond?

Caroline is a 26-year-old single girl living in the Fan who orders take-out from 8 ½ on a weekly basis. She works in PR by day and moonlights as Richmond.com's dating columnist every other Tuesday. To learn more about Caroline visit http://www.carolinesplate.com, follow her on Twitter @carolinesplate, or you can most likely find her out on the town on a Friday night!