What to know about ghost kitchens as Charlotte food options grow more endless.
In Charlotte, we already knew that ghost kitchens were all the rage, but 2022 food trends show their popularity is still growing.
WHAT IS A GHOST KITCHEN? A ghost kitchen is a commercialized kitchen that specializes in takeout and delivery food. They are becoming household names, with popularity soaring across Charlotte in recent years.
The City Kitch is a well-known example. As a commercial kitchen that offers both private and shared cooking facilities, local food businesses can rent spaces without the typical risks and overhead costs of purchasing or renting brick-and-mortar establishments.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, business soared at The City Kitch, with locations in Charlotte’s West End and University City. Since that time, other kitchens have seen growth, too.
Now, there are several ghost kitchens in the area for locals to get to know. Among them is Carolina Commercial Kitchen, which was founded in 2012.
With a slogan that reads, “Bring your culinary skills — we’ll supply the rest,” Carolina Commercial Kitchen supplies the space and opportunity for tasks such as prepping and storing food in a clean environment for a more affordable monthly rent than a brick-and-mortar establishment.
Like The City Kitch, clients can prepare cuisine on location before selling to customers or loading onto their food trucks for later distribution. Read more about Carolina Commercial Kitchen on MoRa’s website.
Chef Hannah Riley of Alternative Chef NC, a meal delivery business that specializes in healthy options, has been using Carolina Commercial Kitchen for her food storage and prep needs.
“(Commercial kitchens) are very very needed in this area,” Riley said.
The storage and prep space available is especially important to Riley since her business includes gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto meals. All of her items are soy free and gluten free, so no cross-contamination can occur.
“I can do a lot more in one place,” said Riley who once worked as a live-in personal chef. “I can focus on all meals versus prepping individually at someone’s house.”
Scratch House Chicken is another great example of how ghost kitchens are flourishing in Charlotte. The team behind The Goodyear House launched the online concept that offers diners popular dishes like fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, salads topped with chicken and a number of sides.
DON’T FEEL LIKE COOKING? The Southern Comfort Cafe, in partnership with Cantina 1511, could be the answer to your next Sunday dinner. Similar to other ghost kitchens, the business has no brick-and-mortar establishment, instead opting to fill online orders by DoorDash pickup or delivery. The Southern Comfort Cafe offers southern-inspired classics like pot roast, chicken and dumplings, and mac and cheese, perfect for feeding families or just to honor that hankering you’ve had for down-home comfort food.
WANT MORE? Check out our list of ghost kitchens in Charlotte, including what you can order from each, here: Have ghost kitchens become the new food court in Charlotte? Check out these favorite eats.
This story was originally published January 21, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
