Eating and Drinking Guide 2010: Best Takeout

Provence Marinaside

Mix-and-match French Med antipasti, sandwiches, and pastas like roasted-eggplant farro salad, grilled chicken on baguette with tomato aioli, and wild-mushroom ravioli. Or let chef-owners Jean-Francis and Alessandra Quaglia pack up their English Bay picnic for two (antipasti, dessert, fruit, baguette, drink; $35) in a returnable wicker basket with cutlery, plates, and glasses. 1177 Marinaside Cres., Yaletown, 604-681-4144. Provencevancouver.com 

Cafe Nuba

At the third location of Vancouver’s gem of Lebanese organic hipness, $7 gets you the Garden Falafel Pita, a two-hander of sweet acidic red cabbage, creamy hummus, and bitter greens. For $7.75, Najib’s Special is crispy browned cauliflower with lemon, hummus, and tabbouleh. Takeout travels in biodegradable containers. 146 E. Third Ave., South Main, 604-568-6727. Nuba.ca

La Taqueria

Five-inch soft corn tortillas are loaded with toppings such as braised beef tongue with salsa verde and lime, braised beef cheeks with chopped onion and cilantro, and pork marinated in achiote (a Mayan red spice) with fresh pineapple ($2.50 each or $9.50 for a plate of four; $7 for vegan and veggie options like sautéed wild mushrooms with chipotle). 322 W. Hastings St., South Cambie, 604-568-4406. Lataqueria.ca  

Raincity Grill

Ten bucks gets you the best fish’n’chips in town—fresh, light, delicately battered. A half-block from English Bay, the takeout window at Raincity offers just-caught halibut 90 percent of the time, with wild salmon and cod subbing as required. Packaging is as eco-friendly as it comes: bamboo cutlery that biodegrades, unbleached napkins, and recycled paper bags. 1193 Denman St., West End, 604-685-7337. Raincitygrill.com

Memphis Blues

Every item on the menu is available for takeout, and since all the meats are smoked (or otherwise cooked) throughout the day, this is probably the snappiest service in the city. Meat is the reason you’re here: beef brisket—nicely caramelized on the surface, moist and tender in the middle—is a must ($15.95, including all the Southern fixins) while the ribs are finger-licking good. 1342 Commercial Dr., Commercial Drive, 604-215-2599 (and other locations). Memphisbluesbbq.com