As we near the end of December, Lake Highlands eateries and chefs are gearing up to supply holiday events with family-style menus. 

For some, the holidays are an excuse to don a Mrs. Klaus apron and prepare an extravagant family banquet. For others, Christmas and New Year’s bring a welcome opportunity to kick back and relax — no chopping, sauteing or broiling involved.

Luckily for neighbors finding themselves in the former camp, Lake Highlands barbecue joints like One90 Smoked Meats and Strouderosa BBQ typically don’t miss a holiday. Too smoky? A mom-and-pop Filipino joint off Greenville Avenue has prepared a menu fit for an island feast.

While they aren’t listed below as the pick-up locations fall outside of Lake Highlands, neighbors Jeff Bekavac of Goodwin’s and Kerry Paradise of Baller Mom Kitchen have also unveiled special Christmas menus. Paradise has added finger food like charcuterie cups ($99 for 9), shrimp cocktail kit ($39) and cranberry chili meatballs ($25), along with cranberry cider ($7.50/each) and cranberry pecan cheese spread ($8.25/half pint) to her Dec. 23 pickup menu. 

The Goodwins Christmas menu is headlined by a center-cut beef tenderloin ($300, averages close to five pounds) and peppercorn herb-crusted prime rib ($325). Side options include Ditalini macaroni and cheese ($45), sliced focaccia ($40) and glazed carrots ($45). And for those looking for post-gift sustenance in the a.m., Bekavac and his team will prepare a buttermilk biscuit-topped breakfast casserole made with smoked ham, sausage, hash browns, eggs and cheddar green onion for $55. Orders must be placed by Dec. 21. 

Strouderosa BBQ | Pickup on Dec. 24 | Orders due by Dec. 19 

Matt and Trisha Stroud have plenty of experience preparing holiday meals for the whole neighborhood. After all, that’s exactly how Strouderosa got its start in 2020. 

For large-format options, customers can look to a five-pound smoked prime rib ($240) and whole smoked turkey ($82). Ham, brisket, turkey and prime rib are all also available to order in smaller portions by the pound. Sides, including “Mac n’ Threeso,” green bean casserole and jalapeno cream corn, can be ordered in varying quantities.

Marie’s Kitchen | Christmas Pickup Dec. 24 | Christmas orders due by Dec. 19, New Year’s orders due by Dec. 24

With pickup scheduled for Christmas Eve, or “Noche Buena” as the day is referred to in the Philippines, Marie Ramos and Jay Gersan’s mom-and-pop eatery has debuted a Christmas menu packed with flavors from back home.

For neighbors looking for a different flavor, Marie’s Kitchen is selling Filipino-style pork belly ($18/pound), stuffed chicken known as rellenong manok ($60), baked macaroni ($60/half tray) and pancit behon ($55/ half tray). Mango floats ($40/half tray) and ube brownies ($24/ eight).

One90 Smoked Meats | Orders due by Dec. 20.

Boasting the most expansive holiday offering on this list, One90 Smoked Meats’ protein selection includes turkey (from $120/whole), salmon filets ($90), prime rib ($300/3-5 pounds), a “colossal” beef rib ($65), bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin ($65) and brisket ($230/whole). There’s also some Tex-Mex flavor on the menu with grande tamales available with pork or brisket (both $24.99/ half dozen).

Gravy, barbecue sauce, cranberry sauce and queso can be ordered to accompany main dishes. Large-format dessert options include peach ($65/half tray) and cherry ($70) cobbler, along with banana puddling ($60).