The Morris' Burger Kit. (Courtesy of The Morris)
10 Meaty Memorial Day Grill and Picnic Kits From Bay Area Restaurants
21 May 2020
As we welcome summer weather into season (which is, frankly, freaking us out a little—when has SF ever been this nice in May?), it's likely your MDW party will be sans the usual groups of friends, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good grill out with your current quarantine mates. Below are a few places around the Bay Area putting together meal kits to help you celebrate, in the tastiest of ways.
PS: If you're thinking of heading to Dolores Park, look out for the newly installed "human parking spots"—social distancing circles placed by SF Rec and Park to promote responsible picknicking.
BBQ Burger Box from Palette
The arty Cal-American restaurant Palette is putting together a killer burger box complete with patties (a vegetarian option is available), housemade pickles, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, Thousand Island dressing, sliced red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and white potato milk buns. The burgers are offered both ready to grill or precooked; sides include coleslaw and potato salad. Save room for blueberry crumble or chocolate pie. // $40 for two burgers, or $70 for four. Preorder and same-day orders for pick-up and delivery; 816 Folsom St. (SoMa),palette-sf.com.
Burgers by The Morris
Typically a Wednesdays-only special at the restaurant, The Morris' burger will hit the spot on this holiday Monday. The spread for two includes dry-aged Five Dot Ranch beef, little gems lettus, pickled red onions, garlic aioli, cheese, dijon mustard, ketchup, and potato rosemary buns. Afterward, dip into the chocolate pudding. // Available for pre-order by emailing info@themorris-sf.com or by calling 415.612.8480. Pick up on Saturday 5/23, closed Sunday and Monday; 2501 Mariposa St. (Mission), themorris-sf.com.
Grill Kits from Gap Year at Nico
Burgers? Steak? Both? Gap Year at Nico is putting together two beefy grill kits. The burger kit can be ordered per person and comes with ground beef patties, caramelized onions, comte cheese, butter lettuce, Dijon mustard, aioli, and a bun—plus an herb salad and strawberry shortcake. Upgrade to the steak kit and you'll get one 36-day, dry-aged, bone-in ribeye with a savory asparagus béarnaise sauce that will feed two to three people depending on hunger levels. // The Burger Kit ($30 per person) and the Steak Kit ($100) can be pre-ordered via Tock. Pick-up on Saturday 5/23, from 4pm to 7pm; 710 Montgomery St. (Jackson Square), gapyearatnico.com
All the Meats at 4505 Burgers and BBQ
Every day could be Memorial Day over at 4505, where chef Ryan Farr and his team are kings of the barbecue. If you want to cut out a bit of the kitchen work and get straight to eating tasty burgers, this pick is for you. Head to either their locations in Oakland or SF for the classic Best Damn Cheeseburger, hot links, pork spare ribs, brisket, or juicy pulled pork. Sides include coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, parker house rolls, and fries with chimichurri and lemon parsley aioli. Bonus: They'll be open Monday, so need to plan too far ahead. // 705 Divisadero St. (NoPa), and 3506 MacAruther Blvd. (Oakland); order for pick-up and delivery at 4505burgersandbbq.com.
Dogs and Lobster from Daily Driver
Daily Driver is teaming up with Museum of Craft and Design for a Memorial Day picnic kit. Choose your protein—four hot dogs with buns and condiments ($40) or 16 ounces of lobster salad with brioche buns ($70)—then also enjoy crispy homemade potato chips, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and six frozen balls of chocolate chip cookie dough for a sweet ending. While the adults are digesting and drinking, the kids (and kids at heart) can get artsy by making colorful woven placemats and utensil holders from recyclables provided by MCD. // Order for pickup after 8am daily from Daily Driver, 2535 Third St. (Dogpatch), dailydriver.com.
Readymade and Grill Kits from Mina Family Kitchen
Fancy some pulled pork or barbecue chicken? The Mina Family Kitchen is offering a huge combination bundle of already-prepared and some-grilling-required meats. Readymade, you'll get a whole rack of smoked ribs and 32 ounces of pulled pork with spiced king's Hawaiian rolls. While you're snacking on those, you can grill up the barbecue chicken legs, sauce, and four burgers with all the fixings. Then, there's the sides: coleslaw, potato salad, beans, a bag of 4505 chicharrones, and a platter of brownies. All of that comes to a grand total of $139 and serves 3 to 4 people. Wash it all down with your choice of margaritas, beers, pitchers of vodka raspberry lemonade, bourbon sweet tea, and adult "Capri Suns" ($25-$39 per drink add-on). All proceeds will go to the Mina Family Meal program, which is providing food to the company's furloughed employees and their families. // Orders must be received one day in advance for Friday or Saturday pickup; delivery is $10 in SF, $40 in the greater Bay Area. Email orders@minafamilykitchen.com or call 415.722.2138. Pickup is at Pabu, 101 California St. (FiDi), michaelmina.net/delivery.
Grillin' & Chillin' with Perbacco
Perbacco's Grillin' & Chillin' kit will guarantee you've got the latter down pat. Pick through their pantry offerings for a prime selection of pre-seasoned meats including dry-aged steak, baby back ribs, short ribs, chicken. and salmon, as well as vegetables including corn on the cob and portobello mushroom caps. The thirsty among us are covered with to-go beer, wine, and cocktails. // Pre-order for pickup from noon to 6pm on Thursday and Friday; 230 California St. (FiDi), 415.955.0663, perbaccosf.com.
Burger Kits from Balboa Cafe
One of the best reasons to visit Balboa Cafe is its burgers. Enjoy them at home this Memorial Day weekend with two-person kit that includes a pair of house-blend burger patties (in the restaurant's signature oval shape), pickles, pickled red onions, and a baguette from Jane the Bakery. There's also a bonus recipe card for making french fries at home. // Available for order and preorder starting Thursday for take-out and delivery ($25). Open for takeout Wednesday through Sunday. 3199 Fillmore St. (Cow Hollow), 415-921-3944, balboacafesf.com.
Raw Meats from Alexander's Steakhouse
The experts in fine meats have three options for your holiday weekend: a wagyu burger kit ($25/person) with green tomato ketchup, onion jam, pickled peppers, tomato slices, red leaf lettuce, cheese, and a bun; a yakitori kit ($30/person) with a mix of eight skewers; and an Ultimate Backyard BBQ Package ($260) that gets you a bit of everything—hamachi shots, tataki, a 12-ounce Schmitz boneless ribeye, three Hitachigyu andouille sausages, two T-bone steaks, 12 chicken wings, six ears of corn, asparagus, and onions. // Available for pickup daily at locations in San Francisco and Cupertino; order at foodbooking.com; alexanderssteakhouse.com.
Takeout from Nick's Cove
If you live up North, consider grabbing your Memorial Day takeout from Nick's Cove where three are three specials available: a pulled pork sandwich with housemade pickles and coleslaw; warm Dungeness crab dip with spinach, shallots, cheese, and crostinis; and a grilled romaine salad with toasted bread crumbs and grana padano cheese. The restaurant's regular menu will be on offer as well—don't sleep on their delightful mac 'n cheese and clam chowder. // 11am to 6pm daily; 23240 CA-1 (Marshall), nickscove.com.