Life hack: Spice up your sad desk lunch with the help of of two local delicatessens
Fall is here, so everyone’s starting to snap out of vacation mode and spend more time at the office. The struggle is real, and you may notice that you just don’t have enough time to go out to eat for that midday meal. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to stare at that same, soggy PB&J sandwich you ate as a kid.
[Related: Charlotte chefs dish about how to spruce up the brown bag lunch.]
To upgrade my browned bagged misfortune, I opt for two local delicatessens that carry gourmet foods in approachable environments. Try these two stops and strategies:
Reid’s Fine Foods
4331 Barclay Downs Drive
Tucked away behind SouthPark Mall is certainly one of the best prepared food displays in south Charlotte. Nearly every supermarket has a deli counter these days, but no one has a specialty selection in comparison to the Reid’s location in SouthPark (Reid’s also has a fantastic location on Selwyn Avenue, but the selection there may vary).
When you walk in there’s a huge deli case to your right, displaying staples like Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese, Twice-Baked Potatoes and side dishes that change with the seasons. There’s also a large meat and seafood selection, and the butcher will cut any piece of meat to the customer’s preference.
A post shared by Reid’s Fine Foods (@reidsfinefoods) on Apr 24, 2017 at 9:54am PDT
Lunch Idea #1: Kabobs are an easy weeknight dinner served over a bed of rice. Bring leftovers to work and toss them over a big plate of greens with your favorite salad dressing. Kabob specials (pictured above) are my go-to, however when a special isn’t running, they are available for $12.99 per pound year-round.
Lunch Idea #2: Salmon over mixed greens. Here’s another midday meal made easy, with Reid’s precooked salmon ($20 per pound). Grab a couple of salmon steaks and bring one to work for your lunch. Serve it over a small salad and shred the cold salmon over the top (please don’t be that person who microwaves fish in the break room – it’s just wrong).
A post shared by Reid’s Fine Foods (@reidsfinefoods) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:01am PST
Lunch Idea #3: Chicken Tortilla Soup ($7.99 each) with Buffalo Chicken Dip over crackers.
With easy to grab (single and family sized) soups made from scratch on a daily basis, Reid’s is bound to have a variety that just about anyone would enjoy. Pair it with a side dish from their QC fresh case and lunch is ready in a jiffy. Soups range from $7.99 – $9.99 and other favorites include the Brunswick Stew, Shrimp & Corn Chowder, Homestyle Chili and Chicken Noodle.
Earl’s Grocery
1609 Elizabeth Ave.
Undoubtedly one of my favorite places in Elizabeth, Earl’s Grocery houses a hefty selection of prepared foods that you can integrate into your “home-made” meal.
Their Springer Mountain Rotisserie Chicken ($7.99 each) is the perfect aid to your drab lunch problems, as it’s marinated in white wine and seasoned with a delicious blend of spices (including Serrano pepper, garlic, parsley, cilantro, basil and oregano).
Lunch Idea #1: Chicken & Veggie Wraps. Grab your favorite brand of wraps (or pita bread), add some shreds of Springer Mountain Rotisserie Chicken, a few sliced vegetables and herbs, then top with your favorite condiment. Wrap together and boom – lunch is served.
A post shared by Jess Bentley | Food & Travel (@sliceofjess) on Feb 1, 2017 at 3:43am PST
Lunch Idea #2: Kitchen Sink Bowls. Toss everything in a bowl and you’re good to go.
The anatomy of a kitchen sink bowl: Choose one item (or more) from each bullet point below.
- Protein: Springer Mountain Rotisserie Chicken.
- Grains: rice – quinoa – farro – barley – {insert your favorite grain here}.
- Veggies: Literally any produce in your bottom drawer will do. We also like these dishes from Earl’s Grocery: Roasted Vegetables (7.49/lb), Moroccan Cauliflower and Carrots ($6.99/lb), Kimchi Collards with Benton’s bacon ($8.49/lb), and Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($9.49/lb).
Herbs: cilantro, parsley, basil, mint. (This creates complex flavors out of not-so-complex ingredients. Hello flavor-town.)
- Sauce: hummus, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, salsa. Pick your favorite sauce and roll with it. Helpful hint: a squeeze of lime juice goes a long way.
- Extras: nuts and seeds, raisins, cheese, beans — whatever your little heart desires.
Another favorite amongst the plethora of tasty prepared foods is Earl’s Meatloaf ($6.99 per slice). Created with a mixture of ground beef and pork, this comfort food classic is delightful on its own or stuffed into a sandwich with their Truffled Cauliflower Puree ($7.99 lb).
Lunch Idea #3: The Ultimate Meatloaf Sandwich. Take a hoagie roll, split it in half and fill with meatloaf, cauliflower puree, chimichurri (or your favorite jarred condiment), and some fresh vegetables like zucchini slices or shredded green lettuce.
A post shared by Earl’s Grocery (@earlsgrocery) on Mar 15, 2017 at 3:45pm PDT
Lunch Idea #4: If you are in a rush and don’t have time to whip up a creation at home, Earl’s Grocery also has a grab and go section with a variety of creative lunches, including a selection of cheese trays that are a fun way to try different cheeses without committing to a whole wedge.
Photo: Jess Bentley
This story was originally published September 24, 2017 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Life hack: Spice up your sad desk lunch with the help of of two local delicatessens."