These Grab-and-Go Dishes Are Surprisingly Satisfying
Snagging one of these on-the-fly meals won't leave you disappointed in a pinch.
By Chelsea Lin and Jess Thomson December 19, 2017
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
Let’s face it: There are times when having time to grab a premade wrap or a sandwich from a deli case feels like winning the lottery. You’re lucky to have lunch at all, so you’d probably eat anything. Yet, wouldn’t it be nice if you knew which sandwiches to grab before going?
Molly’s
Molly’s sandwiches and salads—which are sometimes also sold as a café’s own product—have become the city’s ubiquitous go-to for grab-and-go. Its most popular item is the black bean, yam and kale wrap (about $7). Available at local Top Pot Doughnuts and Drip City Coffee Company locations, plus many other coffee shops.
Eat Local
Although Eat Local rocketed to fame as the city’s best take-and-bake frozen-dinner provider, both because of its commitment to natural ingredients and the impressive variety (Szechuan chicken! Coq au vin! Saag paneer!), it’s also a great secret weapon for lunches. Scour the frozen cases over the weekend and bring your finds to work. Every day, pop one in the microwave, and voilà—delicious beef madras at your desk. Plus: It delivers in time for dinner if you order before 11 a.m. Multiple locations.
Starbucks
With the July launch of Starbucks’ new Mercato menu (all priced below $10), Seattle-area customers gained access to a wider variety of good-for-you, grab-and-go lunch options at our most prolific coffee shop. When the need arises, you can count on the za’atar chicken and lemon tahini salad, with added protein from superfood grain freekeh. Multiple locations.
Sunrise Tacos
A leading pioneer in 2017’s trend toward Texas-style breakfast tacos in Seattle, this company supplies local coffee shops with the simple, foil-wrapped goods. The Mt. Bakon with eggs and bacon is a fan favorite, but even the vegan Vashon—with Soyrizo and avocado—is a delightful way to start the day. Available at Broadcast Coffee Roasters in the Central District, Cone and Steiner locations, Tougo Coffee and other establishments.
Tres Sandwich House
Stick with the crustless triangles from Bellevue’s Japanese sandwich house that stay true to the simple Japanese 7-Eleven style: those stuffed with egg salad, tuna salad or tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets). Japanophiles will relish the neat plastic packaging and nifty opening mechanism—rarely is an American sandwich this much fun to open. Prices vary, usually about $6. Available at Fresh Flours locations, Kai Market and Seattle Meowtropolitan; or in Bellevue, 1502 145th Place SE, 425.643.7333.
Follow Us
Seattle’s Pizza Just Keeps Getting Better
New openings across the city make a strong case that Seattle can finally stop apologizing for its pies.
Complaining about Seattle’s pizza scene is a well-worn civic ritual, on par with decrying the sad state of the city’s sports teams. But wake up: It’s 2026, the Seahawks are world champs, the Sonics are coming back, and Seattle is awash in great pizza. Granted, this town of transplants has no “style” to claim as…
Grounds for Success: Instant Coffee Brand Seoulli is Bringing Korean Café Culture to the Pacific Northwest
Liz Kang and her best friends aren’t strangers to the entrepreneurial journey. With roots in fashion, merchandising, tech, and business ownership, the local group of Korean American women grew up together dreaming about future success. Their newest venture is Seoulli, a Korean instant coffee brand that’s introducing the Pacific Northwest—and the world—to Korean café culture,…
Restaurant Roundup: Rooftop Bites and Pineapple Juice Coffee
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
If you thought getting a table for before- or after-noon pancakes and mimosas was difficult before, hold on to your orange juice—the great brunch crunch is coming. We kid, but Mother’s Day is just over a week out, and sometimes to make Mom feel special, putting in the time to wait in line is the…
Photo Essay: The Reefnetters of Legoe Bay
A photographer’s look at the small Lummi Island fleet taking part in a long-standing fishing tradition.
While driving across the country from Detroit to San Francisco in October 2024, I stopped on Lummi Island, about 10 miles west of Bellingham, to visit my friend Peter. I had met Peter while traveling with Bread & Puppet Theater, photographing its national tour. He thought I might be interested in documenting the fishing there,…