Sometimes for even the most social of butterflies nothing sounds quite as good as sitting on your couch in sweatpants and eating food right out of a takeout container. You can catch up on all the shows you've missed and not have to worry about shouting at your fellow diners over the usual restaurant din -- or better yet, avoid the awkward moment when you ask the hostess for a table for one.
To spare you these situations, we've gathered a list of the best places to get takeout in the Valley. Some have convenient drive-thrus and others are just particularly easy to pop into and sneak out of before that guy you know in the corner even notices you were there.
See also: 10 Best Burgers in Metro Phoenix
Pane Bianco 4404 N. Central Ave. www.pizzeriabianco.com/pane
This sandwich-centric Bianco family outlet features a small but always-delicious selection of options. In addition to staples like their housemade mozzarella, tomato, basil sandwich and chicken salad, Pane Bianco offers a market sandwich and salad that rotate daily for lunch. Everything either comes on top of or with some of Marco Bianco's freshly baked bread, which is why these will inevitably be some of the best sandwiches you can get anywhere. Takeout service usually takes no longer than a trip to Subway would.
Federal Pizza 5210 N. Central Ave. www.federalpizzaphx.com
Sure, Domino's delivers, but Federal Pizza in Central Phoenix makes getting gourmet pizza nearly as easy thanks to their drive-thru. Call ahead with your order and all you have to do is swing by to pick up one of their perfectly crispy creations made by master baker MJ Coe. The Manifesto, with Schreiner's sausage, mushrooms, goat cheese and fennel, makes an affordable, no-fuss dinner to please the whole crew -- or if you're feeling lucky you can always opt for the Chef's Whim, which let's them create something special just for you.
Sabai Modern Thai 4121 E. Thomas Road www.sabaiaz.com
Sabai Thai may not be the Valley's very best Thai restaurant, but it does have a drive-thru, making it quite possibly the city's most accessible Thai spot. You won't even have to get out of your car to pick up any of your favorite Thai specialties be it pad thai, Thai fried rice, or pad see-iew. With always fresh ingredients and a reasonable (as opposed to excessive) amount of spice, Sabai makes it hard to find excuses not to keep coming back. Plus, the portion sizes almost always mean you'll have leftovers for tomorrow, so it's practically like you're getting two meals for the price of one. Best yet, this place doesn't require a phone call since you can place your order online for lunch or dinner. And for those particularly lazy days and nights, they also offer delivery.
Squid Ink Sushi 2 E. Jefferson St., St #108 www.squidinksushi.com
Usually, we're not into sushi to go, but when you can walk right up to the window at CityScape's Squid Ink Sushi and leave with a rice bowl or simple roll, it's hard to deny such easy accommodations. The restaurant's lunch window, open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offers sushi and other Japanese specialties to-go. Food can either be ordered ahead and picked up without, or ordered directly at the window. If it's outside those limited hours, you can also take out your food from inside the restaurant by calling ahead or just ordering takeout at the bar.
Gallo Blanco Cafe 401 W. Clarendon Ave. www.galloblancocafe.com
We've always loved Gallo Blanco for giving us an excuse to visit the trendy Clarendon Hotel, but in a time crunch they also make it easy to take home Mexican food that won't leave you feeling guilty about the grease. The restaurant offers all of their upscale tacos, tortas and other specialties to go -- and with curbside service if you ask. It's as easy as pulling into the parking spaces right outside of the hotel lobby and having a selection of fresh tacos delivered right to your car window. Don't forget to order a side of guacamole and rest assured they provide ample chips for your guac-enjoying needs.
French Grocery 5345 N. 7th Ave. www.frenchgroceryinc.com
Though they're transitioning from takeout only to offering sit-down dining, French Grocery is still a go-to spot for Creole specialties and French fare. The relatively new restaurant and market offers French-inspired food and drinks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the mornings, you can choose from a selection of pastries and coffee drinks while for lunch, there are different specials to choose from daily. In the evenings you can pick up a pre-made "fancy" meal without having to do any of the work, and their Old World wine selection means you'll impress even the most discerning dinner guests.
D'lish Kitchen and Coffeehouse www.dlishdrivethru.com
With two outposts, one in Scottsdale and one in Tempe, D'lish Drive-Thru can bring healthy breakfasts and lunches to more diners than ever these days. For years, the original location off Scottsdale Road just south of Thomas made it easy to pick up a California Club sandwich with eggs, bacon, smoked turkey, avocado, pepperjack cheese, pesto and cream cheese or one of those Breakfast Buzz shakes muscular guys seem to always been ordering. The Tempe location is slightly larger and also includes a drive-thru option, so you college kids can get food and crawl back into your beds to nurse away that nasty hangover.
The Pie Hole 110 E. Roosevelt St. www.mammatoledos.com
Sometimes you just want the comfort of a slice of pie. But it's not exactly the kind of dessert you'll find (or want to eat) from just anywhere. Mamma Toldeo's has been bringing mini pies and pie slices to the food truck scene for quite some time, and now you can find her sweet treats at the Pie Hole on Roosevelt Row all the time. Located inside the brick-and-mortar outlet from Short Leash Hot Dogs, called Sit...Stay, this adorable space makes satisfying your sweet tooth as easy as, well, pie.
Joe's Real BBQ 301 N. Gilbert Road www.joesrealbbq.com
We wish we lived in Gilbert, if only to have easy access to Joe's Real BBQ. If you order from the outdoor window, you'll miss seeing the awesome interior with super high ceilings and lots kitschy cool, but you'll still be able to get in on all their delicious bbq action. You won't go wrong no matter what you order, but popular items include the ribs, ham, baked beans, and of course, the homemade root beer.
Mary Coyle Ol' Fashion Ice Cream Parlor 5521 N. Seventh Ave. www.marycoyle.net
When it comes to ice cream there are several places you can go for fancy flavors and trendy toppings. But at Mary Coyle's you'll find the simple pleasure of delicious butter fat ice cream dripping with hot fudge or caramel and always with a cherry on top. Any of the ice cream-related dishes (so Showboat sundaes, shakes and the like) can be ordered at their drive-thru window and taken home on the spot, but for food you'll have to call ahead.
