7 Frozen Dinners That Taste Like a Diner Blue-Plate Special, According to Shoppers
If you ever frequented a diner or family-owned restaurant back in the day, blue-plate specials were the first thing you looked at. The low-priced daily special usually inluded an entree, a few sides, and a bread or roll, and was one of the freshest and most affordable meals on the menu. Luckily, blue-plate frozen dinners are all over the freezer section of the grocery store. Which ones should you pick up on your next grocery shopping trip? Here are 7 frozen dinners that taste like a diner blue-plate special, according to shoppers.
Marie Callender’s Chicken Pie
All of the pot pies from Marie Callender’s are legendarily good. However, the Chicken Pot Pie is a blue-plate classic. “These are the only pre-made frozen food that I buy, aside from pizza. So homey,” says a Redditor.
Stouffer’s Salisbury Steak
Stouffer’s Salisbury Steak with Mac and Cheese Dinner Frozen Meal is a winner-winner frozen steak dinner. “Don’t change this please!!” writes a Target shopper. “This is one of my favorites for many years. I love this gravy. Not heavy like some others.” Others agree. “I love this Salisbury Steak, I have a choice of cooking in the oven or the microwave is great it doesn’t change the great flavor or the quality. My husband and eat it once a week.”
Boston Market Beef Pot Roast Meal
Boston Market Beef Pot Roast Meal, with large chunks of slow-roasted beef and delicious, perfectly cooked veggies, is your best option for a pot roast blue-plate dinner alternative. “My wife and I had this for dinner. It was easy to fix in our counter top oven. The portions of meat and vegetables were just right. The mashed potatoes were larger portions. The entire meal is very good and the meat is tender. We will be buying this again in the future,” a Kroger shopper says.
Hungry-Man Chicken Fried Steak
Hungry-Man Chicken Fried Steak is a country-style blue-plate dupe. “Found this a couple weeks ago for around $4. I liked it! The sauce is pretty salty and a little peppery. The patties were tender, but not too mushy. Potatoes were the typical super smooth, slightly gummy texture. Salty on their own, better with some gravy. The brownie was moist, super cocoay, and not too dense. Quantity was satisfying. Overall, it hit the spot and I recommend,” a fan writes.
Banquet Chicken Fried Chicken Meal
Banquet Chicken Fried Chicken Meal, a hearty frozen chicken dinner with a breaded fried chicken breast patty, country-style gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, and juicy corn, is the fried chicken version of a blue-plate dinner. “I crave these country fried chicken dinners from Banquet. The country gravy and chicken taste really surprisingly good. Corn and mashed potatoes are pretty good too,” a shopper writes. Another calls it the “freezer aisle comfort king.”
Stouffer’s Roast Turkey
Craving Thanksgiving dinner? Grab a box of Stouffer’s Roast Turkey. “Great hot lunch,” writes a fan. “If you want to make a child or any family member a hot lunch this is a delicious choice. They will enjoy it and it tastes great. I always keep several in the freezer for when they don’t know what they want for lunch.” Another dubs it “tasty and satisfying” in a review. “I love turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. Is this restaurant or Thanksgiving quality? Of course it’s not, but it is still tasty and makes a nice quick lunch. I purchase regularly and the quality and taste are consistent and I’ve never had anything ‘off’. I love it!”
Amy’s Organic Vegetable Lasagna
If you want a plant-based blue-plate dinner-style meal, grab a box of Amy’s Organic Vegetable Lasagna. The Italian dish features organic veggies, a creamy béchamel, and whole wheat pasta. “Such a good option especially for a super quick lunch at work. Absolutely delicious every time, can barely tell it’s a frozen meal! Also such a good portion,” writes one fan. “I thought It wouldn’t have much flavor but it was pretty good .. actually delicious,” another adds.