Dinosaur Takeout: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor

(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Dinosaur Takeout, a West Seattle-based meal delivery service that brings ready-to-cook meals directly to your home or office. Here’s what its owners want to share with you about their business:

Owners Jeff Robbins and Brian Fraley have lived in Seattle for the past two decades. Currently they’re based in a commercial kitchen near the YMCA and deliver to West Seattle, Downtown, and surrounding neighborhoods. Their freshly prepped, ready-to-cook meal kits include customer favorites like Mustard-Glazed Salmon, Orange Piccata Chicken, Sausage & White Bean Stew, and Peppercorn Tofu.

Jeff says, “When developing the business, I asked myself, ‘How can I eliminate the time-consuming steps of planning, shopping, and prepping and still achieve the satisfying experience of preparing a fresh, home-cooked meal for myself, my family, and my friends without sacrificing quality or paying too much?’ That is when Dinosaur Takeout was born. I began creating new dishes and adapting classic recipes in a way that uses simple 3-step cooking instructions and a shorter, more convenient preparation time, usually around 20 minutes from the box to the table. Everything is chopped, mixed, and measured; the sauces are blended perfectly and delivered raw, the meat and poultry are obtained from local and reputable farmers, even our tofu is made fresh here in Seattle, and all the ingredients for a complete meal are packaged in a convenient, single, refrigerated box. It’s designed for single folks or couples, regardless of cooking skills, as well as experienced chefs and families who just want a night off.”

Brian adds, “People are always excited about getting new meals each week. Our menu changes weekly so there’s always something different. One of our clients said he feels like a celebrity chef on a TV cooking show because all his ingredients are chopped and ready to go. Enthusiastic feedback like that really makes us excited to keep inventing new ways for people to experience the fun of cooking.”

Dinosaur Takeout offers discounted monthly subscription plans in addition to their regular online ordering system. “Just drop us a line at info@dinosaurtakeout.com and say ‘I want to subscribe!'” says Jeff. “We’ll get back to you ASAP, answer your questions, and work out a subscription plan just for you. And remember, subscription plans make great gifts too!”

You can get more information via Dinosaur Takeout‘s ‘How It Works‘ page.

We thank Dinosaur Takeout for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

28 Replies to "Dinosaur Takeout: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor"

  • Eric G October 11, 2012 (12:23 pm)

    You had me at “dinosaur”.

  • Jeff October 11, 2012 (12:32 pm)

    Yay! I love them and their food!

  • happy October 11, 2012 (12:57 pm)

    Thanks for sponsoring WSB!

  • B Nelson October 11, 2012 (1:06 pm)

    I’ve been a customer for a while and love it! A+++

  • Dorcas October 11, 2012 (1:08 pm)

    I’ve had them deliver to my business and then cooked it at home…. Great experience!

  • malia October 11, 2012 (1:25 pm)

    I signed up for Dinosaur deliveries a few months ago and LOVE the service! Yay for Dinosaur!

  • Jon B October 11, 2012 (1:43 pm)

    wow! how cool it is to see this company on the WSB. I’ve been getting their food for awhile now and try to tell everyone I know about it because it’s that good – innovative, addicting and tasty! Good to see them get a story.

  • Marilyn Averill October 11, 2012 (2:12 pm)

    We had Dinosaur Take out when we were visiting friends in Seattle and I wish we lived closer. But I have ordered their gift certificates for our various friends in the area for birthdays and holidays. Our friends are so appreciative. The gift certificates make a great Christmas present- maybe for your boss or co-worker. I always hate trying to think of supper after working all day.

  • George October 11, 2012 (2:19 pm)

    Mmmmm… Dinosaurs and takeout: a winning combination!!!

    Dinosaurs may be ancient beasts, but there’s nothing ancient nor beastly about the offerings from Dinosaur. If the ingredients were any fresher, they would come in a seed packet.

    Fresh, tasty and convenient, I let Dinosaur do my shopping and prep work for me so I come off as a superstar chef at all of my dinner parties. (Shhhh… Modern Seattle secret!)

    With its reasonable prices and rotating array of delicious offerings, how can one afford not to try Dinosaur Takeout?!

  • Gina October 11, 2012 (2:35 pm)

    Innovative and super yummy! A new housewife’s best friend! I love Dinosaur Takeout!

  • Laura October 11, 2012 (3:55 pm)

    Jeff & Brian are geniuses! They do all the work and I get all the credit. Delicious meals to choose from already prepared, all I have to do is actually cook it, serve it and get all the credit!
    Nothing like a home cooked healthy meal without all the prep time and such variety too!
    Love love love!

  • Lindsay October 11, 2012 (4:25 pm)

    I am a huge fan of this idea. I love cooking, but I don’t always want to take the time to buy and prep everything. I am a HUGE fan of the peppercorn tofu! :)

  • Kristen October 11, 2012 (5:54 pm)

    Dinosaur Takeout really is wonderful. I’ve ordered from them several times for myself, and am always so gratified to have a delicious meal, cooked at home, in very little time and with very little mess.

  • Susan L October 11, 2012 (7:56 pm)

    How funny that this is on the blog today. I just ordered from them two days ago as a suggestion from a friend and found it really delicious. I’d highly recommend it for people who don’t have the time to cook a grand meal or who just want something different for dinner.

  • Andrea October 11, 2012 (8:14 pm)

    Simple AND scrumptious – after a long day at work, what more could you ask for!? The chicken piccata is awesome.

  • monosyllabic girl October 11, 2012 (8:34 pm)

    98146 is still a part of West Seattle, too. At least the part we are in. Bummer. Looks like a great service.

  • cmc October 11, 2012 (9:36 pm)

    Looks delicious! Is there nutritional information on the website? I couldn’t find it. Thanks!

  • dameDonna October 11, 2012 (10:28 pm)

    These guys make GREAT food so I was excited when they started this business so everyone else can make great food at home. The instructions couldn’t be easier and they bring everything to you, ready to cook!

  • Cheryl October 11, 2012 (11:58 pm)

    @Cmc good question re: nutritional info. As a diabetic (and just ingredient conscious person in general), I’d definitely want to know about sugar, salt, gluten, carbs, etc. But otherwise, it sounds like a dream come true for this FT working mom! Healthy, local & delicious food that I can quickly prepare, without having to stop at the market on the way home? Sign me up!

    :)

  • Ciara Barrett October 12, 2012 (1:31 am)

    I’ve known Jeff and Brian a long time. It takes a lot to break into the food industry. Add Seattle to that equation. They have done it. So
    Proud. Would recommend across the board and encourage you to spread the word!

  • Ferryboat October 12, 2012 (5:59 am)

    All the meals look wonderful! I’d sign up right now if they delivered to Arbor Heights…maybe someday soon? One question do you use olive oil or canola in your dressings and marinades?

  • Jeff Robbins October 12, 2012 (7:39 am)

    @ monosyllabic girl & Ferryboat: We are near your neighborhood on Tuesdays currently! If you are interested in subscribing, please email me (jeff@dinosaurtakeout.com) and we can discuss options. We are a small operation at the moment, but our delivery area is growing as we grow. Also, I use both olive and canola in different dressings.

    @cmc & Cheryl: Currently, we list allergy information (USDA defined) on the website and a full list of ingredients on the meal kits themselves. Detailed nutritional information is not posted at the moment, but it’s something we’re working on. I can say that some of our meals are incredibly healthy…some are decadent. We focus on variety and balance, and I use good ingredients (I’m kind of an ingredients guy too Cheryl). As our business grows, we will definitely improve and offer more options for folks with dietary restrictions and preferences. For now, feel free to email me with questions and suggestions…we will happily try to suit your needs!

    Thanks to you all for your kind words and support! Jeff

  • Sara October 12, 2012 (1:13 pm)

    I love this idea. I am always looking for takeout/delivery options that are not pizza or Chinese food.. however, I went to their website and they only have 4 options! Unfortunately none of them looked appetizing to me. I’d like to see some options with grilled chicken or beef. I do like the pasta idea (without shrimp as they had it) – pastas, wraps, sandwiches, and sweet dressing salads are really missing in West Seattle.

  • SillyGoose October 12, 2012 (5:00 pm)

    Love this, what a great gift for new parents this would make. I will be shopping soon.
    Welcome to west seattle!

  • West Seattle since 1979 October 12, 2012 (6:21 pm)

    Sara, it says “this week’s options”, so my guess is they change every week. But hopefully someone else who has actually used them will be able to clear that up.

  • Jeff Robbins October 13, 2012 (7:46 am)

    Correct! Our menu changes every week. If you are interested in receiving an updated menu each week, you may sign up for our newsletter (we don’t share email addresses with anyone). You’ll get a fresh new menu every Sunday of the meal kits available and promotions. And you can order for next day delivery with no subscription commitment.
    And thank YOU SillyGoose…glad to be here. :)

  • Claiborne October 15, 2012 (1:02 pm)

    Dinosaur Takeout is great for elderly folks!! I gave the first one to my grandmother and she made it right up. she is 93 so she doesnt have the energy sometimes to do all of the prep work to cook meals. With Dinosaur Takeouts meals she can still feel like she cooked it herself, not to mention the meals are tasty and healthy.

    Thank you Guys!!

  • Kirsten October 17, 2012 (6:55 am)

    Makes cooking for one, fun! Brother Wayne’s BBQ sauce is to die for :-)

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