Food: Ready to Travel

PHOTO BY BRADLY J. BONER

These dishes are made for takeout.

// By Samantha Simma
Pad gar pow with chicken Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Teton Thai in Teton Village, Wyoming. Photo by Ryan Dorgan

Getting food to-go isn’t as simple as picking what sounds best on a restaurant’s menu. A dish that’s delicious if eaten immediately might not be as awesome an hour later after you’ve brought it back to your home, hotel, or campsite. Here are our picks for to-go meals that travel well. 

Cafe Genevieve’s Fried Chicken

Crispy breading spiced with paprika and cayenne locks in the juiciness of this fresh-as-can-be fried chicken during transport. Brined overnight before being battered and fried to order, this hearty helping (which includes a breast, leg, wing, and thigh) will leave you satiated. The texture and flavor—accentuated by a subtle kick from Crystal hot sauce—of the accompanying mac and cheese is protected during transport by a sauce with American and cheddar cheeses. $25; open 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily for takeout; 135 E. Broadway Ave.; 307/732-1910, genevievejh.com

Streetfood at the Stagecoach’s Poke Bowl

One of Streetfood at the Stagecoach’s best sellers, this bowl of ginger-and-garlic-soy–marinated raw tuna atop avocado, pickled veggies, edamame, fried onions, and rice (rice is the only warm component) won’t lose its flavor when eaten cold or on-the-go. “[It is] a great, light option for anyone looking to [eat] healthy,” says owner Amelia Hatchard. “People love it for the convenience, the flavor, and that it is something different from the usual burgers or sandwiches.” $21; open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily for takeout; 5755 W. Highway 22, Wilson; 307/200-6633, streetfoodjh.com

Teton Thai’s Pad Gar Pow

Pad Gar Pow is a classic Thai stir-fry dish. Teton Thai’s version includes basil, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and a garlic chili sauce, with your choice of chicken, pork, tofu, beef, shrimp or—the most popular—duck. With the rice in its own box for takeout, the two are ready to be tossed together in the comfort of your home or hotel room. $22–28; open 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday for takeout; 7342 Granite Loop Rd., Teton Village; 307/733-0022, tetonthaivillage.com 

Local Restaurant & Bar’s Burger

When you’re craving something beyond the usual burger, look to Local Restaurant & Bar, which is all about customization and where add-ons include brie and foie gras. Whether you opt for a beef, buffalo, steak, or veggie patty, it comes on a brioche bun, used because it has the density to absorb the patty’s juices and with the happy side benefit of making this burger travel friendly. You won’t get it home only to bite into a soggy bun. Burgers here come with the choice between a side salad or hand-cut Idaho fries; if you go for the salad, it travels better if you get the dressing on the side. From $10; open 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday for takeout; 55 N. Cache St.; 307/201-1717, localjh.com

FIGS’s Five Mezze

The most popular to-go item at Figs is the Five Mezze plate, a smorgasbord of Middle Eastern fare that includes falafel, za’atar fries, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and pitas. Dining in, the falafel—a blend of chickpeas, fava beans, parsley, and garlic—is served warm, but it can be enjoyed at room temperature. Same goes for the fries tossed in za’atar—a Middle Eastern spice used liberally in Lebanese cuisine. But if you’ve got the ability to reheat them (and maybe the pitas, too), it’s worth it. The rest of the plate is meant to be room temperature. $29; open 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. daily for takeout; 120 Glenwood St.; 307/733-1200, hoteljackson.com/eat-drink/figs