How to Build a Takeout Menu Holder

Ordering out at the end of a busy day can be a major time-saver. Having to rifle through a messy menu drawer, not so much. A handsome way to tackle the clutter: Craft a wall-mount menu holder like the one here. We cut plywood to size and framed it with 1×2s, then made an angled bin from a 1×4, cut into two wedges, and lauan and molding. A coat of milk paint gives it a pop of sunny color, and a rectangle of green chalkboard paint lets you customize a message—or scribble down your order. All that’s left? Just kick back and wait for the delivery guy.

Step 1: Overview

Cut list to build a takeout menu holder:
½-inch plywood back: one @ 13 ½ by 14 inches
3/16-inch lauan front: one @ 10 ½ by 8 ¼ inches
1×2 stiles: two @ 14 inches
1×2 rails: two @ 10 ½ inches
1×4 for the bin sides: one @ 8 inches
⅝-by-1 ⅛-inch base-cap molding for the frame: two mitered to 10 ½ inches between long points
⅝-by-1 ⅛ base-cap molding for the frame: two mitered to 8 ¼ inches between long points
¾-inch outside corner molding for chalk holder: one @ 3 inches

Or download the cut list here.

Step 2: Make Your Cuts

Fully support your board by laying scrap material under it and clamping it down. Set the blade depth of the circular saw so that the teeth are ⅛ inch beyond the material. Cut ½-inch plywood to 13½ by 14 inches. Then cut a piece of lauan to 10½ by 8¼ inches.

Step 3: Cut the Frame Pieces

Using the miter saw, cut two 1x2s to 14 inches to form the stiles of the frame. Cut two more 1x2s to 10½ inches to create the rails.

Step 4: Frame the Plywood

Attach the 1x2s to the plywood with wood glue, securing them in place with the brad nailer.

Step 5: Make the Sides of the Menu Bin

Cut a 1×4 to 8 inches. Using the side of a 1×2 scrap, mark ¾ inch from the top left and the bottom right of the board. Draw a diagonal line connecting the two points.

Step 6: Cut the Sides

Clamp the 1×4 to a scrap board and set your blade depth. Hold the saw up on its front edge and line up your blade over the diagonal line. Carefully plunge the blade down, cutting the board into two pieces.

Step 7: Paint the Lauan

Cover the lauan with two coats of green chalkboard paint—but don’t go all the way to the edge of the board, since you’ll be covering it with trim. Wood glue will hold better on an unfinished surface.

Step 8: Frame the Lauan

Miter cut molding to create a frame for the lauan: You’ll want two pieces at 10½ inches and two pieces at 8¼ inches. You’ll also want to cut a 3-inch piece of outside corner molding for the chalk holder.

Step 9: Paint the Parts

Paint the plywood back, the menu-bin walls, and the molding with milk paint.

Step 10: Assemble the Parts

Attach the menu-bin walls from the inside using wood glue and the brad nailer. Attach the frame molding to the lauan with a combination of wood glue and superglue. Glue chalkboard front to the menu-bin walls using wood glue. Secure in place with the brad nailer. Finally, attach the chalk holder with wood glue.

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