Our favorite Wilmington spots to grab take-and-bake
Somewhere between making your meals from scratch and grabbing take-out is the incredible take-and-bake.
Take-and-bakes are a win for everyone. The home cook is spared the mess of dishes, the time of a grocery haul, and the labor of cooking. And even though it is enjoyed within your home, you can still support a local, small business.
Several local restaurants and shops around Wilmington, NC offer up these fridges full of goodness: casseroles, pastas, salads, soups, breads, and more. Here are some of our favorite places for grab-and-go meals:
1. Pine Valley Market
Saying Pine Valley Market (3520 S. College Road) is the hidden gem of Pine Valley and Monkey Junction may be the understatement of the year. Led by head chef and owner Christi Ferretti, you’ll find a lunch menu of soups and sandwiches, plus lovely pre-prepared items like macaroni and cheese, lasagna, enchiladas, turkey tetrazzini, and stuffed shells. A customer favorite is the gluten-free shrimp creole or gumbo.
Check out their website for an easy online ordering experience. Your busy evenings just got a whole lot easier!
2. 8207 NOMA
In Porter’s Neck, NOMA (8207 N. Market St.) is another great place to find a chalkboard of rotating specials, plus pre-prepared take-and-bakes. We especially love the grab-and-go chicken salad, pimento cheese, and their lovely almond and tarragon chicken salad.
Busy, exhaustion-riddled after-school nights be gone! In the take-and-bake fridge, find a shepherd’s pie that is the ultimate comfort food, chicken pot pie, quiches of all varieties, a taco bake, beef bolognese, and more. Your whole family will love a comfy, savory dinner from NOMA.
3. Blue Moon Gift Shop
Yes, Blue Moon is a gift shop (203 Racine Drive) with all sorts of artisan-made wonders, but the shop is also home to three refrigerators for a Raleigh-based catering shop. Ladyfingers Gourmet seems to have a cult following—so much so that Blue Moon owners say patrons come regularly to pick up these frozen entrees to stash in their freezer or gift, and it’s no wonder why.
You’ll find black bean and spinach enchiladas, shrimp and sausage creole, vegetable lasagna, Tuscan-stuffed chicken, brown sugar butter country ham rolls, and more. Made weeknights easy and wholesome, and see what all the hype’s about!
4. Taste of Italy
Need to step into an old-school New York-style deli and bring home eggplant Parmesan? Taste of Italy will do you good. Bring take-home meatballs the size of your fist in a classic gravy (a local’s tip: it’s never referred to as marinara sauce at Taste of Italy).
You can’t go wrong. Eggplant Parmesan dishes, sausage and peppers, and more feature on this menu. You can also check for daily specials on the restaurant’s Facebook page here.
5. Bigger’s Market
This farmer’s market stand has expanded to include a full kitchen, plus cases of homemade dinners. Grab cottage pie, baked ziti, chicken salad for lunches, and more! While you’re there, you can stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, beer, pimento cheese, boiled peanuts, and ice cream.
Bigger’s Market keeps school lunches and after-school dinners fresh, easy, and locally sourced.
6. The Veggie Wagon
This neighborhood staple has quickly cemented itself as the ‘one-stop shop’ for quick meals, a bottle of wine, or a pint with friends. They specialize in making meals convenient and fresh—and absolutely delicious! While you’re there, be sure to check out their house-made dry rubs, salsas, dressings, and more.
Want to learn more about the Wilmington community? Check out the blogs page.
