The star of Starbread Bakery is their famous señorita bread. Since 1988, this family-owned Filipino bakery with multiple locations (Vallejo, Newark, San Pablo, and Pleasant Hill among them) has been serving these sweet treats made of rolled enriched dough, lightly filled with butter and sugar, and served piping hot. At the Pleasant Hill shop, the bakery case also features dazzlingly-colored purple ube loaf (choose from square slice or wedge shaped), rainbow-sprinkled donuts, and brownies. For those with a savory tooth, try the habit-forming garlic peanuts, which have large nubbins of fried garlic cloves scattered throughout.

Two protein choices — falafel and chicken shawarma (or a combination of both) — are on the menu at this local mini-chain. The made-to-order falafel drop from the falafel machine (think Play-Doh extruder) into the fryer, emerging browned and crisp 90 seconds later. In the meantime, the friendly counter staff assembles each bowl or pita sandwich with your choice of toppings like Israeli couscous, hot sauce, mixed greens, hummus, tomato cucumber salad, cabbage salad, pickles, and Gotta Eatta Pita’s famous eggplant. The finished falafel balls are arranged on top and drizzled with tahini herb dressing — perfection. For a sweet treat after your meal, try the baklava. The Pleasant Hill shop is small, so only one customer is allowed in at a time to allow for social distancing.

The Bay Area is home to a large Burmese population, with some of the best Burmese restaurants in the country — including several located in the outer East Bay suburbs. Aung MayLiKa, a family-operated restaurant with locations in Benicia and Concord, is a great place to sample a variety of traditional Burmese dishes, including an exceptional pureed catfish chowder (mohinga), coconut chicken noodle soup, and chicken biryani. In addition to takeout and delivery, Aung MayLika now also offers outdoor patio dining.

Located next to a lingerie store and a car wash, the Pleasant Hill location is the original Tacos El Patron, followed by the more recently opened one in the Mission. The delicious birria tacos accompanied by a small tub of sip-or-dip consommé are the best. If you order two or more tacos, complimentary sides of radishes, nopales, refried beans, and onions grilled in a foil packet are available upon request. Vegetarians have choices too, including tacos filled with griddled red and green bell peppers, and onions, then topped with cheese and guacamole. Call ahead to order because there’s often a line.

Flanked by a Korean market and a late-night Mexican restaurant/club in a busy plaza, Mercado del Sol serves up butterflied pollo rostizado (roast chicken), costillas de puerco (baby back ribs), and papas picosas (spicy potatoes) by the pound. Staff expertly chop your choice of meats and pack them to go in foil-lined hot bags or aluminum trays. The expansive menu also features menudo, tacos, chilaquiles, and more. In addition to takeout, the restaurant is now seating diners both inside and outside.

Tortilleria el Molino has been a Concord staple for more than a decade, and it’s easy to see why. Socially-distanced fans continue to line up for Tortilleria el Molino’s homemade tortillas, meats by the pound (al pastor is a favorite) and signature dishes. The al pastor super taco is a meal in itself. The handmade tortilla supports an obscene amount of meat protein and beans. The revuelta pupusa stuffed with chicharron, beans, and cheese is thrillingly larger than most, and satisfyingly crispy, meaty, and creamy. The accompaniment of curtido (cabbage salad) is packed into a small bag, which is then thoughtfully placed inside the bag of plastic utensils and paper napkins so that it won’t get lost. Speaking of packaging, is there anything more suited to takeout than a tamale? At Tortilleria el Molino, triple protective layers of foil, parchment paper, and banana leaf insulate the tamale for the ride home. Carefully unwrapping this piping hot, savory package is its own thrill, and the wait is worth it—chunks of chicken in moist, flavorful masa. If the ride home is too long, the restaurant has a couple of picnic-style tables for outdoor dining.

Anarkali is a Pakistani/Indian/halal restaurant serving up affordable (many entrees are $10 or less) grilled meats, curries, and daily specials like lamb shank and goat biryani. Highlights include the tandoori fish, chicken, or lamb seekh kebab, garnished with thinly sliced onions and lime wedges. The menu also features vegetarian-friendly dishes like palak paneer, aloo gobi, and daal — all available to be enjoyed as takeout, of course, or at Anarkali’s handful of outdoor tables.

With detailed instructions on their website for how to find them inside the Rockin’ Crawfish location in Concord, Spicy Joi’s leads you straight to the Lao street food of your dreams. Plump, juicy, handmade Lao sausages—filled with pork, aromatics, and herbs—are grilled and served with  purple sticky rice. The sausages come with a choice of dipping sauces—jeo som (sweet and sour) or the signature spicy jeo makphet (roasted pepper). Do yourself a favor and get both. The nam khao (crispy rice salad with handmade cured pork) is fresh and herbaceous, with tons of texture from the rice, peanuts, shallots, lettuce, and morsels of handmade cured pork and pork skin. Though the menu is meat-centric (with dishes like Ultimate Bomb Platter for Meat Lovers), vegetarians will find plenty here. The grill lemongrass tofu banh mi is a must-order of crispy, savory, bronzed rectangles of tofu, tucked inside toasted-to-order bread, garnished with a generous portion of pickled carrots, daikon, cilantro, and jalapeno. Spicy Joi’s shares a small outdoor dining area with Rockin’ Crawfish, with a few tables available.

Longtime fans of Brothers’ Peruvian rotisserie chicken rejoiced when the restaurant moved to its new, larger location from its original takeout window spot in the back of an international market. No longer was it necessary to call an hour ahead to place an order for Brothers’ pollo a la brasa — a deeply flavored, juicy, mahogany-skinned bird. The simple menu hasn’t changed much since the move, and all of it is perfect for takeout. Try the whole, half, or quarter rotisserie chicken, served with French fries, green salad, and Brothers’ delicious aji sauce on the side. Brothers serves other Peruvian favorites too, including empanadas, tamales, salchipapa (sausage and french fries), and yuca frita.

Originally hailing from Korea, the Vons Chicken chain has recently expanded from its U.S. roots in Sunnyvale to new East Bay locations in Oakland, Fremont, and Concord. Get your napkins ready as you take on a variety of finger-licking sauces, slathered over your choice of Korean fried or oven-roasted chicken. The former is available in three styles: crispy, saucy “yangyum,” or dusted with honey butter or cheddar seasoning. The latter comes in flavors like garlic, wine, and green onion, or soy sauce and black vinegar. Complimentary pink pickled radish cubes and lightly dressed cabbage slaw are refreshing accompaniments to the spicy chicken. Want something more substantial on the side? There are also French fries, sweet potato fries, and onion rings, or Korean faves such as kimchi fried rice, mandoo (pot stickers), and rice cakes.

Located in the heart of downtown Concord, Lima offers traditional Peruvian cuisine and cocktails, along with some surprises (beef wellington, anyone?). The ceviches — assorted fish or shellfish in a spicy citrus marinade, garnished with sweet potato, thinly sliced red onions, and corn — are a must-order. Main courses like the tallerin verde con bistec (ribeye with pesto noodles), lomo saltado (beef tenderloin with onion, tomato, and French fries in a soy demi-glace), and aji de gallina (shredded chicken stew) are bound to satisfy. Lima also has a children’s menu with chicken strips, sausage and fries, andpesto noodles. In addition to takeout, the restaurant’s spacious outdoor patio is open for dining.

Newbies to La Fritanguera would do well to try El Nica, the ultimate Nicaraguan sampler for an introduction to Nicaraguan dishes. Loaded with achiote-marinated braised pork and chicken, flavorful grilled carne asada, a crispy taco, and cubes of crispy fried pork belly, there is a meat for every appetite. Cubes of salty fried cheese, boiled yuca, ribbons of crisp plantains, sweet plantains, gallo pinto (red bean and rice mix), and cabbage salad round out this eating experience. Vegetarians can order a veggie sampler of these non-meat items for a satisfying meal as well. A signature Nicaraguan drink is cacao, made from rice, milk, and chocolate that is served iced—a refreshing beverage for Concord’s warm (and cold) temperatures. The restaurant features a popular brunch menu, and diners can choose takeout or La Fritanguera’s large side patio for outdoor dining.

Nothing warms the heart quite like nostalgia and melty cheese at Patty’s Original Cheese Zombies. The brainchild of two lunch ladies who worked for the Mt. Diablo School District in the 1960s, these cheesy buns made for a delicious hot lunch, and former students have clamored for that deliciousness ever since. The zombies were brought back to life years later by a local baker named Patty, who mastered the challenge of containing the cheese and other fillings so that they don’t leak out like zombie innards. Daily zombies include original cheese, ham and cheese, and breakfast (egg, bacon, sausage, and cheese). On select days, Patty’s also serves such specials as pastrami, chicken bacon ranch, pizza, and taco zombies — all great takeout items for a portable and hot lunch.