Not quite the regular “Friday Favorites” here today; instead I’m offering up some Quarantine Life Delivery Hacks to my local peeps. One of the more fun aspects of sheltering in place is all the fun little side hustles local entrepreneurs have started up to remain productive and make our lives a little easier. I’ve amassed a nice list of some to share and I hope if I’ve missed one you love, you’ll share it in the comments!
Special thanks to friends who sent me a lot of great recommendations. I kept this list to Quarantine time start-ups that deliver, mostly individuals, not established restaurants or businesses that deliver via a third-party app. All of these link to the businesses’ instagrams and I encourage you to follow them to stay current on their offerings and make sure you know their delivery guidelines, boundaries and recommendations.
BOOZE
Natty Pours: Natty is a bartender creating and delivering craft cocktails to you at home! Her Insta is super fun and her cocktail names are a treat. A group of girlfriends and I have taken to placing large group orders with Natty via one designee who then delivers to all of us.
Stir Crazy Cocktails: More craft cocktails! They come in charming mason jars and baggies with a note. I love this one a lot. She has a new menu each week!
Fancy Free Liquor: Imagine you were planning to open a new business this year… OOF. But these guys have made it work with a delivery service that is crushing it. So much so, they are currently shut down for delivery but keep an eye out. They not only deliver liquor, they also offer cocktail kits, mixers, select market items and more. I love their vibe.
Lost Cove Tiki: Aloha tiki lovers! This is calling your name. They offer tropical cocktails, wings and Hawaiian BBQ, and even adorable tiki mugs & glassware.
Rocks Paper Salt: I am dying to try this one. I know a lot of my friends have. It’s detailed craft cocktail kits delivered to your doorstep. Also a women-owned business. Isn’t it nice to see so many women dominating this space? I love it!
Bespoke Bar LA: A customizable specialty cocktail service that delivers locally – and they actually ship nationwide! Their deliveries arrive in super cute crates and I’m excited to try it soon.
Authentic Cocktails: A little farm-to-table with your craft cocktail deliver. Don’t be surprised if your delivery shows up with a cute little succulent plant. They also have a cute gifting option!!!
Left: Natty Pours’ “But First Let’s Take and Elfie!” / Right: Stir Crazy Cocktails ready to go out for deliveries!
GOOD EATS
Cuterie Girls: I can’t get enough cheese – and I know I am not alone because today alone I saw two friends post about this one.
WCPLA: Just a note that Wine and Cheese Please asks for deposit and charges for delivery but if you love charcuterie, it’s totally worth it. (You can also just pick it up and skip the delivery charge — they’re in East Los Angeles.)
Go Go Gyoza: This Los Angeles dumpling company uses the highest-quality ingredients from local and regional purveyors and “every dumpling is pinched with love.” I have yet to try it but I’ve heard it’s completely delicious.
Stone Soup Project: I just loved this when I tried it! They deliver homemade soups you can freeze or just refrigerate to eat up right away. Tons of choices! Very easy to heat up and very easy to love — for every quart you buy, one is donated to a person who needs a meal.
Rosie’s Bagels: I just found out about this and I MUST HAVE IT. They deliver each Saturday — homemade California Bungalow Bagels inspired by Montreal & NYC style recipes. They look amazing.
Kuma Beer: Do not be deceived. Not beer, also bagels. They are sourdough based bagels and OMG, they have a bacon and cheese bagel! (I assume they use a beer sourdough starter, hence the name.)
[OMG]arlic: This is so unique and I love that someone thought of it. It’s handcrafted garlic chili oil that’ll make you say “OMG!”
All the carbs!!! Left: So many dumplings from Go Go Gyoza! / Right: Kuma Beer’s plump Sesame Seed Bagels.
BAKED GOODS
Sunday in June: Small batch, handcrafted, Filipinx flavors delivered in the OC and LA. The pies look HEAVENLY.
Pique-Nique LA: Handmade treats celebrating cali’s produce palette made in Eagle Rock. So you’ll see a lot of pies, fruit pastries and cookies, but also preserves that looks gorgeous.
Love Dreams Pie: Homemade fresh pies, cakes, and treats actually catered to your dietary needs. For orders you just have to call 48 hours in advance.
Maddy’s Mookies: Maddy + cookies = Mookies! And guys, I have a full on food-crush on Maddy. They. Are. DELICIOUS. A month back, my friend and I split a cookie PIE. Just us two. Because why not. She delivers in LA & OC (she also ships!), and 10% of the net proceeds go to the Equal Justice Initiative.
NoHo Pie Guy: From his home, NoHo Pie Guy is making pies and other treats — including cocoa bombs, which seem to be quite the trend this season. I’m told they’re worth taking a drive for.
Left: Sunday in June’s chocolate pie made with Philippine coffee beans / Right: Maddy’s Mookies are always packaged beautifully!
Amanda Bakes LA: Amanda’s baked goods are amazing and she’ll even do some gluten free treats for ya if you need. In addition to delivery, curbside pickup in available in WeHo. If you’re lucky, you’ll also get to meet her delivery helper, Lucy. (Pictured below.)
Better with Butta: His homemade scones are IT. Omigod. Chris Tucker (no, not that Chris Tucker) makes baked goods with vegan options and contributes some of his proceeds to great causes.
Sugar Farm Bakery: Cornflakes and cheesecakes, matcha, mochi and brownies – OH MY!
Batter Days Desserts: Based in Carson and Filipinx owned, a myriad of baked goods. New menus posted regularly.
Brown Baked: Transforming traditional Filipino dessert flavors into cookies and more. Who wants to try Ube cheesecake?! I do.
Beat Blend n’ Bake: Filipino Desserts with twist! Like ube cheesecake bars, pumpkin spice flan and pudo pandan. (Don’t worry, I gotchu if you don’t know — Puto is a steamed cake make in various fashions; Pandan is a particular flavor from a plant.)
Honey and the Hive: A bakery serving up delicious goodies inspired by old batter-splattered recipes cards with innovative and sometimes unexpected flavor profiles.
Andy: Yes, just Andy. Andy is very talented actor who occasionally bakes and delivers. Highly recommend stalking his Instagram profile to find out when he does. He brought me a pie early on in Quarantine and it was wonderful.
Left: Amanda’s Peppermint Bark Brownies and her adorable helper / Center: Pudo Pandan / Right: Brown Baked’s Ube cheesecakes.
