When you don't feel like cooking: Our critic's top 10 takeout joints in Naples - JLB

Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
·5 min read

Though I love to cook, I don’t always want to cook.

And sometimes I can’t cook: After Hurricane Ian ravaged our Capri home, there was no kitchen for six months.

Our Weber survived, but this JLB's grill skills are nil.

A friend whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy said to replace the microwave first and put it anywhere.

Smart advice.

Throughout repairing our home and during this crazy hot summer when I finally had a kitchen but didn’t want to add additional heat inside the house after our air conditioner broke for good (rains, pours), restaurant takeout and prepared meals from specialty markets were in my steady rotation when not going out for work.

With that in mind, here are a few of my go-to spots for dinner carryout in Naples based on proximity to moi and the following:

  1. How well the food maintains its integrity for two days because many portions are way too big for one serving;

  2. And they don’t use foam containers which are so bad for the environment and ruin the food by steaming it.

Plastic containers are just as bad, but at least they’re reusable after washing. I've basically given up bringing my Pyrex containers because most restaurant owners look at me like I’m nuts.

My only regret: I often headed to O'mei when it was near Pine Ridge. The restaurant is back in its original location near Bonita Springs and I can't rationalize the drive for its divine jade dumplings.

Pro tip: Check hours before heading out. Several we spoke to will change theirs next month as season kicks off.

South & East Naples

Candied bacon bruschetta ($13) from Twisted Sheep Pizza and Brew in Naples is topped with marinated heirloom tomatoes, candied bacon ham, basil whipped brie and balsamic reduction.
Candied bacon bruschetta ($13) from Twisted Sheep Pizza and Brew in Naples is topped with marinated heirloom tomatoes, candied bacon ham, basil whipped brie and balsamic reduction.

Twisted Sheep: Kung Pao meatballs at a pizza joint? Yes, and they're fab. A local private chef turned me onto this spot several years ago which landed at No. 2 in town as voted by NDN's readers during our official March Madness Pizza Bracket Challenge. Twisted goes beyond terrific pies. J'adore the appetizers: other go-to's include candied bacon bruschetta and French onion mac and cheese. (3802 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-919-3287; twistedsheepfl.com)

Thesen's duck pad Thai ($26)
Thesen's duck pad Thai ($26)

Thesen: My favorite dish is Duck Pad Thai while husband prefers Mongolian Beef. My 20something vegan neighbor loves it as does restaurant owner Jane Wood, who lived in Singapore as a girl and worked as an international banker in Hong Kong. She knows good Asian food. The restaurant is helmed by seasoned hospitality pros who previously worked at the ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok. (6821 Collier Blvd.; 239-304-9652; app.masa.plus)

Thesen's Mongolian beef ($17)
Thesen's Mongolian beef ($17)

Let’s Eat Asian Fusion: Our regular order is Dan Dan noodles and twice-cooked chicken. What I like best? Chef/owner Bobby Fong uses an abundance of fresh vegetables. It makes all the difference. (12684 Tamiami Trail E.; 239-963-9836; letseatnaples.com)

Asian-style twice-cooked chicken from Let’s Eat Asian Fusion, South Naples.
Asian-style twice-cooked chicken from Let’s Eat Asian Fusion, South Naples.

Midtown

Golden Leaf's eggplant with garlic sauce is $13.
Golden Leaf's eggplant with garlic sauce is $13.

Golden Leaf: Dining in is better though the wait in season can be crazy long. I’ve done takeout there probably close to 40 times in eight years, with a success rate approaching 85% which I attribute to the long drive home as it’s 40 minutes from Capri because I "drive like grandma" according to my good pal Alex Alexander, who owned The Blue Heron. My favorite dishes are eggplant with garlic sauce or chicken and string beans. (3615 Tamiami Trail N.; 239-434-6336; goldenleafnaples.com)

Simit: I was former JLB Annabelle Tometich’s plus-one when she reviewed this mecca for Turkish cuisine and loved it. My salad during that visit was the best in Naples. I recently revisited for a sit-down dinner with a pal who’s never been. I made an egregious error by overindulging with two squares from the always amazing Pizzata at 3 p.m. on my way home after a meeting that ran late, so after a few bites of Simit's Shrimp Tava at 7 p.m., I ended up taking most of my dish home. It was delicious on day two even though re-heated shrimp can be tricky. Pro tip: It’s not visible from the street but in the same plaza around the corner from Dylan’s Drafthouse. (1230 Airport-Pulling Road N.; 239-331-4477; simitfresh.com)

Simit's Shrimp Tava, $18.
Simit's Shrimp Tava, $18.

Downtown

Wynn’s: Since Oakes Farms on Davis, which is closer to home, closed after Hurricane Ian and Seed to Table is a schlep from Capri, Wynn’s is now a frequent go-to for prepared dinners. Recently, another patron with an elderly wheelchair-bound dad said it’s her lifesaver for nutritious and delicious meals. There are many options, but my favorites are chicken Parm (sold by the piece) and the roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Depending on your appetite, you may get two meals from one dinner though my husband will finish the entire thing. Pro tips: Check the packaging date to ensure the freshest entrees and always buy an extra container of mashed potatoes for night two. Trust me on that. (141 Ninth St. N.; 239-261-7157; wynnsmarket.com)

North Naples

Angelic Desserts: Great sandwiches and new-ish dinner entrees, but I am addicted to the bakery’s $7 egg souffle, a convenient light supper for one. The tarts freeze well after thawing followed by two and a half minutes in the microwave. Easy peasy. Soups are also rock-star good. (2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road at Galleria Shoppes; 239-219-5118; angelicdesserts.com)

Angelic Desserts egg souffles.
Angelic Desserts egg souffles.

Namba: The city's best sushi. Really all you need to know. (8847 Tamiami Trail N.; 239-592-4992; nambanaples.com)

The Sauce Lady: Craving great Italian? Owner Ela Vivonetto's carryout spot makes even discerning nonne felici. Most selections are portioned for two including hearty soups, pasta, chicken and beef entrees plus her renowned lasagna selections ― all reasonably priced. A few gluten-free and vegetarian offerings too. (9331 Tamiami Trail N.; 239-592-5557; saucelady.com)

Ela Vivonetto, aka The Sauce Lady, demonstrates re-heating tips for perfect lasagna.
Ela Vivonetto, aka The Sauce Lady, demonstrates re-heating tips for perfect lasagna.

Whole Foods: The hot buffet’s Indian selections are my favorite. Pro tip: Layer your box with yellow rice first, then channa masala then chicken tikka meatballs (which they’ve not had on recent visits) or sliced dark-meat chicken. A word of caution: The masala will explode in your microwave if you forget to cover the container’s top. Lesson learned the hard ― and messy to clean up ― way. $12 per pound. (9101 Strada Place at Mercato; 239-552-5100; wholefoodsmarket.com)

Whole Food's hot bar's Indian selections, $12 per pound.
Whole Food's hot bar's Indian selections, $12 per pound.

Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. JLB usually goes unrecognized and always pays for her meals. This article came from staff writer Diana Biederman. Follow our critics on Facebook via BiteIntoSWFL and Instagram. To connect: diana.biederman@naplesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Top 10 takeout joints, restaurants in Naples: Who made the list? - JLB