Maybe 2020 is the year you resolved to be healthier in your food choices. Maybe you’re in spring simplifying mode and looking to streamline your grocery shopping and meal planning. Or maybe you’re looking to spend more time with your family, and not cooking for your family. With meals from The Dinner Shoppe, you can achieve all of these objectives.
About The Dinner Shoppe
The Dinner Shoppe is all about quick and wholesome family dinners, using the highest-quality ingredients available. Their dishes are easier than a meal kit because all the prep work is already done. The meals come frozen, and all you have to do is defrost everything and follow the cooking instructions. From unpacking to serving is about 30-minutes. Typically, The Dinner Shoppe caters to busy families – working parents with children, or professionals who do not have the time or energy to make dinner every night. Their clientele also includes a number of young couples and retirees. For me, I fall into the busy professional category. I’m a company owner who works long days and would rather focus on business planning than meal planning. I’m also always on the lookout for healthy, budget-friendly cooking options.
How It Works
The first step is taking a look at The Dinner Shoppe’s online menu. There are usually 18 to 20 different recipes available every month, including casseroles and Crockpot or Instant Pot meals. The Dinner Shoppe doesn’t repeat its dishes for about a year, which is great for clients who like a little variety on their plates. If you have a dietary restriction, The Dinner Shoppe also offers gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. Once you’ve picked out your menu items, the next step is deciding on the serving size. There are four categories: meals for one, meals for two to three people, meals for four to six people, or meals for six to eight people. (I chose the meals for one option, which I imagine is a common selection for busy professionals). The pricing is based on the number of meals ordered, and the
serving size per meal, tax and delivery not included:
- Serves 1: 3 ($25), 6 ($46), 12 ($76)
- Serves 2-3: 3 ($66), 6 ($123), 12 ($188)
- Serves 4-6: 3 ($95), 6 ($185), 12 ($284)
- Serves 6-8: 3 ($122), 6 ($246), 12 ($370)
The third step, once you’ve made your meal and serving size selections, is choosing whether you want to pick up your order at The Dinner Shop in Decatur or have them deliver the items to your house. The Dinner Shoppe does Tuesday-Thursday deliveries, with delivery fees ranging from $10-$20, depending on your zip. (As the theme for my culinary experience was efficiency, I picked the delivery option. Healthy, quick meals delivered right to my door? Yes, please!)
There are three ways to place your order: online, via email, or by calling the store directly. (I placed my order via email, which was very simple and only took a few minutes. I received a very friendly order confirmation that same day).
So, What Did I Think?
Interested in trying a variety of The Dinner Shoppe’s dishes, I ordered the Green Chile Cheese Casserole, Pretzel Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Cream Sauce, Crunchy Baked Tilapia with Parmesan Polenta, Sauerbraten Pot Roast, Pineapple Salsa Verde Chicken, and the Muffin Pan Meatloaves. Placing my order via email was simple, and there were no issues with processing the
order or payment. I should also mention here that The Dinner Shoppe does not have subscriptions or contracts. It’s order as you go. Easy enough. A few days later, The Dinner Shoppe’s delivery man left the order at my door – everything
clearly labeled in a brand new, insulated tote bag. All of my items went into the freezer until it was time to defrost one for dinner.
When The Dinner Shoppe mentioned that the prep work was minimal, they weren’t kidding! All the ingredients were chopped and measured; I just had to cook them accordingly. I didn’t need any special cookware or additional ingredients. I was able to complete most meals in about 30 minutes; the casserole did take about 45 minutes. How were the dishes? In a word: yum! I was happy with everything I ordered – it was tasty, creative, and healthy. Some of the meals I ate solely for dinner, others were actually large enough that I had some leftovers for lunch the next day.
Also, I should note that the clean-up was minimal. (And this is coming from someone whose dinners typically come from a bag or a can). Because the ingredients are pre-measured and pre-chopped, the only items I used were the one piece of cookware and the one dinner plate or bowl.
Bonus! Meeting Carol Rice, The Dinner Shoppe’s Owner
As someone who owns a small business myself, I truly appreciate other local small businesses and try to patron them as much as possible. The Dinner Shoppe provides tasty, well-priced meals for those who are big on ambitions but tight on time. And, as a bonus, there is owner Carol Rice at the helm.
Carol is an Atlanta native. She was born at Piedmont Hospital and attended Briarcliff High School – which is just a few miles away from The Dinner Shoppe’s storefront. She transformed her love of cooking into a full-time, successful business. (Is it a coincidence her last name is food-related?) Carol also keeps her family involved in the process; they are her sounding board and official taste-testers. While it may be the appeal of easy-to-cook, tasty, well-priced items that draw you in, what brings you back is working with Carol and The Dinner Shoppe’s team. So why don’t you give it a try? Place your order, and tell them Megan sent you.
Hours: Monday 9-6, Tuesday 9-6, Wednesday 9-6,
Thursday 9-6:30, Friday 9-5, Saturday 10-1
Contact: The Dinner Shoppe | Decatur, GA |
(404) 748-1502 | thedinnershoppe.com