I don't like being ordered around, your post title needs to chill the F out. I'll do what I want!

(which is to talk about great carryout)

Well, you posted some great comments already, so I hope the software gets up and running. EL

Also I'm not sure how the chat works but I think the most important thing to talk about is what kinds of food can maintain their flavor and texture during the carryout process.

Anything that is carrying heat will inevitably steam in its container during the journey from restaurant to work/home. Therefore, any dish with a crispy texture will be lost. Soggy french fries are nasty. Any protein whose temperature is vital to its flavor/texture like a steak, burger, or fish, will cook more than when it left the grill/oven/pan.

This greatly narrows the kinds of foods I will even consider carrying out.

Oh yea, ANOTHER thing! It's interesting to talk about any measures taken by restaurants to avoid the steaming process. For example Matthews Pizza uniquely packages its pizzas between two plates, then wrapped in paper, but with holes cut into the paper so that steam can escape and the crust can remain crisp.

Any other techniques out there yall have seen?

My experience with Matthews is you have to dine in. I live a stone's throw from the restaurant, and every time I have carried out the pizza is a steamed mushy mess when I get home. Dine in only for me.

Really? I live close as well, like 4 blocks away, and I've been fine carrying out. One good thing about Matthews is its really good when you stick it back into the oven at high heat for a few minutes. The crust re-crisps and its almost good as new, even if it's been sitting in the fridge for a day.

By the way, I always end up eating cellulose when I get Matthews. That excess cheese that oozes in between the slices and melds with the paper plate is irresistible. What am I going to do just throw the plate away while there's still cheese on it? That's crazy!

Corey,
I also live about 4 blocks away. You're not secretly living in my basement are you? :-)

RayRay,

I would post my address here, but I don't want all of my hot female Dining@Large groupies hounding my door every night.

Corey? I'm not hot, I am a fan of yours, and I totally wouldn't stalk you.

You wouldn't happen to have a sister or two, though?

Lissa, your view of your attractiveness is a story that you made up about yourself. It's just a story! Anyone who loves food is sexy as hell.

I do have a sister however she's already taken by a tall chocolate drink of a man.

*sigh* All the good women are straight or taken or both.

Who said my sister was a good woman?!?!?

Juuust kidding, she is.