Let's Dish

[Anonymous]

Anyone who has done Let's Dish, can you tell me how you liked it? How is the food quality, are the prep times and instructions listed on the website about right? Also, how much room does the packaging take up in the freezer? If we were to get, say, 12 split meals would that take up the entire freezer of a traditional fridge/freezer? Has anyone used the delivery service and if so did you like it - did the food stay frozen? Is there an extra delivery charge beyond the higher price they charge for it? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

We really like it. It's helped with meal times a lot--we used to eat out/order in all the time, and this is healthier and cheaper. Our kids are very picky, and they'll eat a lot of the dishes as well. We've been doing it for almost 3 years now, and if you do it a few times, you'll probably find that some dishes work better for you than others. (Can you plan far enough in advance to defrost thing a day or two ahead or do you need more of the dishes that cook from frozen? Are you home in time to put something in the oven and let it cook for an hour or so or do you need faster cooking dishes?) Everything does require some preparation on the evening you plan to eat, but the active work is usually less than 15 minutes (I'd say active work varies between 5 and 30 minutes, with most coming in around the middle.).
We split the meals as well, although we usually only get 8. We have a side by side, and there's room for other things, but not a lot (all of the freezer door is open, and maybe two shelves?)--but that really only matters for the first few days, because (obviously) once you start eating them you free up more space. Mostly they come in gallon ziploc bags that sit flat in the freezer; occasionally they come in tinfoil pans, and those take up more space. We've never used delivery, so I can't speak to that--we like to make it ourselves so we can vary the spice (extra for us, less for the kids). Also, I"m not sure they'd do a split if you have them make it for you.

[Anonymous]

I've done it twice and I liked it ok but I wouldn't say I loved it. There were some dishes that were really good (the quesadillas are GREAT!)and other dishes that were nothing special.

I like to cook, and I feel like I usually do a pretty good job of getting meals together even on work nights, so it wasn't quite the lifesaver for me that it might be for someone who doesn't cook. I went with a good friend of mine who doesn't cook at all, and she LOVES it and has gone a few more times - mostly b/c she doesn't/can't cook things on her own, and for her, it's a great alternative to takeout or other prepared meals. Even if you do cook, it can be a nice way to "fill in" on the days when you don't want to cook from scratch, don't have time, or realize in the middle of the day that you don't have a plan for dinner (which definitely happens to me sometimes!). I think it's worth checking out and seeing how you like it.

The portions are huge so definitely split everything in half. Even then, we always had leftovers.

[Anonymous]

Feh. Food just wasn't high enough quality for us. Did it once. Wouldn't do it again. Threw out some of the food.

[Anonymous]

Why couldn't you have DH takes the kids one weekend day and you can do the same thing in your own house! Find some good recipes online that freeze well and that your family will like, and make it in bulk. I've done that 4 times so far and it's been great! You're making things you know your family will eat, and it's cheaper.

[Anonymous]

I have done Let's Dish and I agree with those who state that it is okay. I wouldn't rave about the greatness of the food. I also have done Dinner Done out in Centerville. I RAVE about that place. I feel the quality is MUCH higher than Dinner Done...however it is a trek for me to get out to Centerville.

What is nice about both places is the convience of having 12 (or 24) meals ready to go. I disagree with the poster who stated that making items in bulk, at home, was cheaper. I think you would be hard pressed to make 12 meals, that feed 4-6, for 220 dollars on your own at home...especially considering spices and other ingredients that you wouldn't regularly use.

[Anonymous]

Food poisoning for me...granted, I was pregnant and always tend to be more sensitive to food quality while so but no way would I go near that place again. Yuck. I suggest getting a good casserole and/or crock pot cookbook and cooking up a ton of food for the freezer yourself one Saturday.

[Anonymous]

Never used Let's Dish, but have heard not great reviews like those posted here. Have been using Dinner Done in Centerville for about 2 years and LOVE their food. We usually pay a little extra to have them prepare it, then just pick it up (usually early on a Saturday, when traffic isn't bad - we live in Arlington). Definitely worth it to have good not-take-out food on hand.