#LoveDSM

For your next party, order some beautiful nibbles from Platters With Purpose and support a good cause at the same time. It’s another reason to #LoveDSM. Photo: Missie Lafrenz Photography

When winter rolls around and holiday gatherings require a fa-la-lot of baking and stewing and roasting, sometimes you just want a break from the kitchen.

Our cheat code? Calling a caterer or ordering entrees to-go. We asked our friends on social media about their favorite places to get help with feeding the fam.

“Americana is our go-to. Their food is delicious as dine-in but also travels very well. — Phillip Terronez

True to its name, this downtown restaurant on Locust Street specializes in classic American dishes to cover any meal, from brunch, lunch and dinner to cocktail hour and dessert.

“The Fresh Mediterranean Express family meal, anything from Cyd’s Catering, goodies from Gateway Market & Cafe … so many solid options in Central Iowa! — Karla Walsh, dsm contributor

Every Fresh Mediterranean Express family meal serves four to five people for just $65. Cyd’s Catering offers dozens of themed menus to make meal planning easy. And Gateway Market offers tons of dishes to feed a crowd; ordering ahead from the regular menu works just as well for a small group.

“Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster.” — Kelli Glanzer

New to West Des Moines is this supper club-inspired spot that features North Woods specialties like pierogies, tater tot hot dishes, po’boys, relish trays and beef stroganoff. There’s even a menu for “blunch,” which lands somewhere between brunch and lunch and stretches into the afternoon.

“Kue’d Smokehouse.” — Lauren McCool

This award-winning barbecue joint off Hickman Road in Waukee offers a catering menu with three packages — breakfast, barbecue and homestyle buffet — each with multiple options to keep most any eater happy.

“Los Laureles!” — Suzanna de Baca, BPC CEO

This Mexican restaurant on Des Moines’ East Side serves up authentic tacos, burritos, tortas and more. They also offer an all-day breakfast menu for huevos con chorizo and chilaquiles.

Pho 515. Photo: Duane Tinkey

“Pho! Nothing feeds a crowd like a steaming vat of noodles. There are lots of good spots around town, but our go-to favorites are Pho Real and Pho 515.” — Alex Kelly, dsm assistant sales manager and account executive

Pho Real Kitchen and Bar, at Fourth Street and Court Avenue, makes a mean bowl of the broth-based soup from Southeast Asia, with fresh herbs, veggies and your choice of protein: beef, chicken, seafood or tofu. And Pho 515, tucked in the C Fresh Market on University Avenue, makes it easy to grab a meal to go, along with other groceries for your guests.

Platters With Purpose. Photo: Missie Lafrenz Photography

“Platters With Purpose.” — Natalie Gordon

Order artisanal charcuterie boards for your gathering, from 30 guests on up to 300. Each board is assembled fresh to order. Owner Libby Rankin started the business after her daughter Maddy passed away from childhood cancer in 2020. Libby donates a portion of every board sold to Unravel, a nonprofit that helps fund cancer research.