The top 5 foods for hosting last minute holiday guests [Partner]

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With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be in the process of making your holiday travel plans. Maybe you’ve decided to stay home this year and forego the joy of bumper to bumper traffic on the interstate, or being stuck behind people at the security line who didn’t follow proper protocol. If you are in the stay home holiday mode, I’m sure your hoping for a quiet and relaxing holiday. But what if Santa isn’t the only one planning to visit you for the holidays?

We’ve all been there. You have set plans and then there is the inevitable phone call. What do you do if Aunt Jane, or Cousin Billy, and/or your best friend from elementary school announce that they are coming to visit you for the holidays? You were planning to usher in the holiday season watching “Elf” and “Home Alone” and eating Chinese food. What if they expect a lovely holiday feast? With such short notice you don’t have time to prepare a menu and go to the store. What do you do?

Lucky for us, our friends at DoorDash have us covered for even the most last minute holiday guest. DoorDash has created a “Top 5” list of restaurants and orders to have a delicious holiday meal without the last minute rush to cook.

With DoorDash (via the Android or iOS app or online at www.doordash.com) Charlotteans can order from more than 300 restaurants in the area. In under an hour, your favorite dishes will be delivered to your door.

Breathe and remember, the more the merrier. Here is the “Top 5” list compiled by DoorDash of dishes that will show your guests that even though they may have been unprepared for the holidays, you are ready for any situation.

1. Aren’t you glad you got the couch with the pullout bed: What if your unexpected guests expect to stay overnight? That means you’ll need a breakfast option other than your protein powder smoothies. Cast Iron Waffles is your perfect pick. From the cinnamon roll waffles to the lumberjack waffles (waffles topped with bacon and maple buttercream) there is something for everyone.
2. The lunch crowd: Your quiet holiday has turned into a full-blown family/friend extravaganza. Whether your guests are staying all day, or just for lunch, Pure Pizza is the perfect lunch option. With customizable pizzas that aren’t your standard delivery pizza, Pure Pizza will please all palates. Why not try the “Slap Yo Mama Lasagna” pizza (yes, it’s just as amazing as it sounds)?
3. Don’t forget the crudité!: If you need midday snack options for your guests to tide them over before dinner, look at the menu for The Asbury. Chickpea hummus, deviled eggs with bbq-spiced mushrooms and market crudités will add the perfect touch to any impromptu celebration.
4. The main event: After Thanksgiving, you and your guests may not want to look at another bird for awhile. Why not switch things up and have some seafood? Deep Sea Seafood offers pan fried crab cakes, a fried jumbo shrimp and oyster platter, or a pecan crusted rainbow trout that will satisfy all of your guests.
5. Post-dinner treat: Golden Cow Creamery was recently added to the DoorDash list of restaurants, providing you and your guests special treats. From pints to single scoops and double scoops to ice cream flights, there is an option for every flavor preference. Don’t forget your four-legged visitors. Golden Cow also has options for puppy pops.

Whether you are given a day’s notice or just an hour notice, DoorDash is here to make sure you are able to hosts your holiday guests like a pro. Don’t forget to check out the DoorDash site and app as new restaurants and areas of Charlotte are being added to better serve customers. And don’t forget to get some eggnog to celebrate with your guests. If there’s a chance you’ll hear a story from Aunt Jane for the hundredth time, pick up some vodka to add to your eggnog while you are waiting for your DoorDash delivery.

Header photo courtesy of Cast Iron Waffles 

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 8:53 AM.