(multiple area locations; safeway.com). Safeway has expanded its to-go options. Many stores have made-to-order pizzas, panini, and sandwiches; a soup bar; an olive bar; and delis and traiteur cases with salads, sides, and hot foods. Nearly all have rotisserie chicken and prepackaged house-brand Signature Cafe main courses and sides.

Soup bars are high points, with hearty choices ($3.29 to $6.49) such as slightly spicy chicken tortilla, fiery Tuscan tomato, and hearty lentil. We also like the classic rotisserie chicken and Signature Cafe sides such as mashed potatoes and cheesy broccoli au gratin, and penne with creamy tomato sauce. Also good are pork ribs from the traiteur case ($7 a pound) and prepackaged baby back ribs (about $10)—the pit-style pork ribs are meaty, and the sauce has a nice yin/yang of hot and sweet. Grilled panini ($4.99), such as the turkey-and-havarti, are another option. The traiteur case and hot-foods bar are the weakest links, and at some locations they close before the store does.

See More Great Takeout Reviews