A look at the five preparers

All five preparers offer 12 to 16 meal stations where the entrees are assembled. They can also host private or general parties in their kitchens. Catering is offered but the food must be picked up at their kitchens. All charge an additional $20 to $35 for assembly if customers want to save time. Single customers may want to combine an order with a friend to reach the minimum. All offer a money-back or replacement guarantee. Most offer online nutrition information for all recipes. . - Preparer: Dinner Tonight www.dinnertonight.biz 16271 Ipava Av., Lakeville, 952-898-3006 Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Mon, Wed.-Sat., noon-8 p.m. Tues. - Price $12 to $22 per entree that feeds 4-6. Cost per serving:$2 to $3.65. Six entree minimum. - July offerings 12 entrees including chicken capobianco, spaghetti carbonara, crab sweetrolls and beef stroganoff. Also 7 summer grill items (ribs, wings, kabobs, chops, chicken breasts). 4 side dishes. - Strengths Will deliver to seniors. Current special: Buy 6 entrees, get 1 free. Generous portions. Owner was New York chef. Bargain: Buy day-old frozen meals for no assembly fee if available. Less hectic kitchen. Kids menu with 4 preassembled items. - Weaknesses No nutritional info yet but coming soon. Can't order from website but can send emails from the site. Few vegan entrees. . - Preparer: Home Appetit www.homeappetitdinners.com 2675 W. 78th St., Chanhassen (952-380-3463) Hours: Tue. and Thurs. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Wed. and Fri. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Price Typical package: 8 entrees serving 4-6 each for $135. Cost per serving: $2.48 to $2.80. - July offerings 16 entrees including almond dried cherry stuffed chicken breast, raspberry infused pork chops with wild rice, stuffed steak and creme brulee French toast. 5 side dishes plus organic bread. - Strengths More gourmet entrees. Wine pairing ideas given. Entrees include brunch items. Will take walk-ins but reservations recommended. Private party members get a free pan of brownies. - Weaknesses Employees have cooking experience but not professional culinary training. Few vegan offerings. No deliveries. . - Preparer: Let's Dish www.letsdish.com Eden Prairie (952-941-8401) Maple Grove (763-425-9383) Woodbury (651-730-6600) Hours vary by location - Price Typical package: 8 entrees serving 4-6 each for $125. Cost per serving: $2.29 to $2.60. - July offerings 16 entrees including Asian barbecued pork wraps, prosciutto wrapped chicken stuffed with garlic herb cheese, ravioli lasagna and grilled pesto topped salmon. 10 side dishes. - Strengths Can get 6 free chocolate mini cakes with in-store signup for a future visit. Discounts for private party organizers. Can pick up a limited selection of frozen meals for a slightly higher price, if available. - Weaknesses A few bland entrees. No separate kids menu. Few vegan entrees. Employees have cooking experience but not professional culinary training. . - Preparer: Mix It Up www.mixitupmeals.com Maple Grove (763-420-8331) White Bear Township (651-407-9649) Mall of America (952-814-9649) Hours vary by location - Price Typical package: 8 entrees serving 4-6 each for $120. It's a $65 flat fee plus $5 to $14 per entree. Cost per serving: $2.20 to $2.60. - July offerings 14 entrees including Florentine stuffed pork chops, Fulham Street chicken, BBQ shrimp and gourmet burger. 12 side dishes. - Strengths Can make multiples of any items. Half-price assembly fee $17 for the summer (regularly $35). Discounts for referrals. New customer discount: get $50 off with the purchase of 8 or more entrees July 15 through Aug. 31. - Weaknesses A few bland entrees. Few vegan offerings. Employees have cooking experience but not professional culinary training. No separate kids menu. . - Preparer: Sociale www.socialegourmet.com Eagan (651-994-9000, ext. 1) Minneapolis downtown skyway (pickup only: 651-994-9000 ext. 2) southwest Minneapolis (pickup only: 651-994-9000 ext. 3) Opening end of July Hours vary by location. Closed Sundays. - Price Typical package: 12 entrees serving 4-6 each is $175. Cost per serving: $2.43 per serving for 12 entrees to $3.67 for 9 small entrees serving 2-3 each. - July offerings 14 entrees including Cuban pork roast, Greek chicken, shrimp tortellini and firecracker beef stir fry. 7 side dishes. - Strengths More gourmet entrees. Delivery to Edina and southwest Mpls. for $8. Adjoining gourmet and gifts specialty store in Eagan. Offers both small and large entree sizes. Culinary-trained professional chefs. - Weaknesses No separate kids menu. Few vegan entrees.