Ghost Kitchens, Pop-Ups, & Grab ‘n Go: Non-Traditional Ways to Get your Grub On

Pretty much everyone is happy to have 2020 in the rearview mirror, but foodies all over the world are finding a silver lining in the way they get their grub on. Delivery-only models, grab-n-go, pop-ups, and the rise of ghost kitchens exploded on the food scene in 2020 to meet the increased demand of hungry people with nowhere to go. Now, we may be biased, but we think Virginia’s non-traditional foodie scene is truly something special. We put together this article to spread the word on how to find great local food–differently.

Grab n’ Go

Sometimes you want some yums in a hurry. Life’s crazy but that doesn’t mean you don’t shouldn’t satisfy your foodie cravings with delicious (sometimes nutritious) food. 2020 saw a major boost in to-go options. What could be better than ordering meals online and filling your fridge with food you love?

Soul ‘n Vinegar- Richmond

Richmond’s Soul ‘n Vinegar is a Church Hill spot that’s committed to the community. Their pre-packaged meals and sides are healthy, affordable, and majorly tasty. You can order online and pick-up same day! They use local ingredients, and they have a ton of vegan, veggie, and gluten-free options. Plus local beer and wine!

Plenty-Cville

Plenty, in Charlottesville, is all about the idea that food is self-care, and their mission is to deliver that self-care right to your doorstep. They have a weekly menu filled with healthy, homemade meals so you can stock your fridge with everything from breakfast, snacks, main dishes, and everything in between. Their weekly menu goes live every Tuesday and you have ‘til Friday at noon to order for food delivered the following Monday. Easy Peasy!

HoneyFlower Foods- DC/DMV area

DMV folks, we got you! HoneyFlower is a chain in the Washington area that sells plant-based pre-packaged wraps, soups, and snacks. They are all about sustainability, and all their products are packaged with zero plastic. Plus, they donate 10% of their meals to the community weekly. Grab some goodies to-go or get ‘em delivered!

Pop-Ups

As you probably know, there are tons of foodie pop-ups at breweries, wineries, and other restaurant spaces all over the Commonwealth. A lot of your fave local restaurants create pop-ups from time to time to test out a new menu or concept. But the big question is, where can you find these pop-ups? We got you, fam!

Selden Market- Norfolk

Selden Market is just the best. It’s geared toward small and emerging businesses, so there’s always something new going on. It’s got permanent shops, restaurants, and TONS of foodie pop-ups and events (Slide Thru #FAM and JackEats are two yummy examples). Selden Market is now open again, and slowly getting back to normal. Check their website or their Facebook page for their updated pop-up calendar.

Commune X CROP- Norfolk

Now, y’all know we love Commune. Who doesn’t? Now there’s more to love with the addition of The Crop Foundation. What’s the Crop Foundation you ask? The Crop Foundation is a non-profit that’s all about providing support to the next generation of chefs, farmers, and restaurateurs with scholarships and hands-on training. Commune X CROP is the name of their student-led restaurant that is housed by Commune Norfolk. They do tons of events and pop-up dining experiences, so check their website for the most up-to-date info.

Hatch Kitchen Café/ Hatch Local Food Hall-Richmond

Hatch Kitchen, in Richmond, is a magical place of food, innovation, and community. This commercial kitchen is being used by local businesses to cook their food for hungry foodies all over the city (and state) They also have an onsite event/café space with a rotating pop-up schedule. And bonus! Hatch Kitchen is going to be opening a Food Hall in Manchester this summer. It’s slated to have space for seven local vendors, two bars, a market, an outdoor patio, courtyard dining, entertainment, and live music. Sounds like foodie heaven!

Ghost Kitchens

What is a Ghost Kitchen, anyway? Also known as a delivery-only restaurant, virtual kitchen, shadow kitchen, commissary kitchen or dark kitchen, ghost kitchens are basically restaurants, but without sit-down service. A lot of the buzz around ghost kitchens has been about corporate food chains rebranding existing menu items under a different name for delivery apps, but there are a ton of locally focused ghost kitchens in the Commonwealth that are definitely on our to-eat list.

Fat Kid Sandwiches/Garden Party- RVA

We firmly believe that sandwiches truly make the world go round. But sandwiches you can get delivered right to your door? Now that’s something special. Fat Kid Sandwich’s sky-high sammies are indulgent, Insta-worthy, and oh so good. You can also find them at Hatch Kitchen Café for counter service and curbside or get it delivered. Check their website for current hours. Feeling like a salad instead? The same folks are also behind Garden Party, a vegetarian/vegan delivery-only brand. That’s a double yum, folks.

Porchetta District- DC

Three words: Italian. Street. Food. YUP. Porchetta District is all about that porchetta–literally. Most of their menu features that famously yummy Italian pork roast. The same folks behind Porchetta District also run Georgetown Gourmet, one of our favorite farm-to-table joints in the DMV. You can get delivery or get it to-go. Porchetta wheneva you want? We really are living in the future.

Heavenly Cove- Richmond

We love fusions! Which is why this ghost kitchen concept, The Heavenly Cove, was sure to make our list. Mediterranean flavors + Hispanic flavors = Twice the YUM. Their menu is chock-full of distinctive dishes with locally sourced ingredients. With a name like that, you know the food has got to be (drumroll please) heavenly… Sorry guys, we had to. Get it delivered in the Richmond area and thank us later.

So much of what we do these days is digital, and now, finding local food is one of them. Foodies all around the Commonwealth have adapted to these strange times, and we think these non-traditional ways to get your grub on are definitely here to stay. That’s not to say that we won’t be super excited to eat in a cozy candlelit restaurant again, but until that day comes–we’re happy to be able to support local businesses in any way we can.