Takeout Cheat Sheet

It's Friday night and definately time for takeout. If 7 p.m. is your ideal ETA to pick up your grub, at what time do you have to hit your speed dial to order out at one of these crazy-popular casual restaurants?

Chow

Call-ahead time: 15 minutes.

Tip: Reasonably priced prepackaged meals, made daily, are available in the market section at the Lafayette location, without having to call ahead.

Back Forty Texas Barbecue

Call ahead time: 20 minutes.

Tip: At the Pleasant Hill location, there are seven parking spots reserved for customers picking up food at the take-out door on Coggins Drive.

Los Panchos

Call-ahead time: 25 minutes.

Tip: Los Panchos is famous for its crispy tacos—but the longer these sit, the less crispy they become. Try the sopes—made with corn flour—which will hold up better in a to-go bag.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

Call-ahead time: 30 minutes.

Tip: The Walnut Creek and Pleasanton locations have takeout-only parking spots. In Walnut Creek, these are behind the restaurant. In Pleasanton, they are directly in front.

5633 Bay St., Emeryville, (510) 879-0990; 1330 Stoneridge Mall Rd., Pleasanton, (925) 224-9916; 1205 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, (925) 979-9070, www.pfchangs.com.
 

Zachary’s Pizza

Call-ahead time: 40 minutes.

Tip: Try the half-baked pizza, which will shave five minutes off your call-ahead time. Just finish baking it at home, and serve piping hot.