Are you seriously going to cook for a bunch of slobs who just want to drink your beer and eat your food? Honestly, most guests just care about getting foot access on the ottoman and having unobstructed sightlines to the TV. But if you’re planning on outsourcing your party food, allow me to suggest The Simple Gourmet in Evanston, just a few blocks South of the Northwestern campus.

The Deli Case (photo by Steve Dolinsky)

Homade Soups to Go (photo by Steve Dolinsky)

Sandwiches to Go (photo by Steve Dolinsky)

For the past two years, they’ve been providing a quick alternative to fast food for those of us who really care about what we’re putting into our bodies. They have an excellent assortment of frozen, homemade soups, elegant salads and sandwiches, plus a dessert case that severely tests your willpower. The owner used to work at the much-loved A la Carte in Wilmette, so she knows how to cook and serve. The only problem with the place is it’s a little hard to find (right across the street from the Evanston Police Station). I’m featuring the story today on ABC 7, but I would also recommend you check out great party planning life-savers, such as The Grapevine in La Grange, Fox & Obel downtown and Foodstuffs on the North Shore.

Here’s hoping you stuff yourself silly, catch some great commercials and cheer for the team from the better food town. Who Dat?