Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions we get about What's For Dinner. If you have a question that's not answered here, please let Chef Jim know.

What happens if I sign up to be on your e-mail list?
We’ll send you an e-mail about every two weeks with two new weekly menus. Other than an occasional special announcement about our business, you won’t receive any other e-mails, and we will never give your information to anyone outside What’s For Dinner.

Do I have to order every week?
You can order whenever you like - there's no weekly commitment. Generally our regular customers order every 2 to 3 weeks, and some only order a few times a year.

Is there a minimum order?
The minimum order is $70. However, there is no commitment to order every week, and the food will store nicely frozen until you are ready to eat it - so we recommend you order 5 to 10 entrées, plus side dishes and desserts, at once and then wait until you're getting low before ordering again. We also have a wide variety of fresh and frozen entrées available at our Chef's Pantry, and you can pick up as few or as many as you like there.

What if I want to split an order with a friend?
This is a very good way to sample a lot of things by ordering more frequently and sharing the cost. We will need to deliver the complete order to one location.

Can I buy a gift certificate?
Yes. A What's For Dinner gift certificate is great for parents of a new baby, a gift for a convalescing friend, or even for that busy professional on your gift list. We have a variety of gift certificate packages available. Click here to order a gift certificate.

How does the delivery process work?
We will contact you by Tuesday regarding your scheduled delivery time for Wednesday or Thursday of that week. We'll give you a 30-minute window of time in which we will be delivering your order. If you're not able to be home at that time, you can leave out an ice chest along with payment inside if you haven’t pre-paid - the food will stay frozen for several hours.

What is your delivery area?
What’s for Dinner delivers to the entire metro area, from Hillsboro (west) to Gresham (east) and from the Columbia River (north) to Wilsonville (south).

What if I live outside your delivery area? Can I still take advantage of your service?
Yes. We can make arrangements to deliver the food to your workplace or to a friend or family member. We also meet customers who live outside the area at designated locations within our delivery area to pick up the food on delivery days. Or you can pick up your order at the Chef's Pantry.

What forms of payment do you accept?
We gladly accept payment by credit card online, or by cash or check at the time of delivery.

Are all the entrées frozen when delivered?
All the main entrée and most side dish items are frozen prior to delivery. The weekly dessert selection is delivered fresh, as well as featured salads during the summer months.

What size containers are they in, and how much freezer space will I need?
The containers are about 8 inches by 6 inches and about 2 inches deep. Ten containers will fill nearly two shelves in a side-by-side freezer and about half a shelf in a standard-size top or bottom freezer.

How long can I store the entrées in my freezer?
The recommended length of storage is 90 days. Some items will last longer and still maintain good quality.

What if I'm allergic to certain foods?
If you make us aware of your specific allergies, we can help you make appropriate selections. Some entrées can be altered upon request for certain types of allergies.