These Souped-Up Deli Counters Sling the Best Premade Dishes by the Pound
Skip the heat-lamped Safeway case and give your picnic some panache.
By Chelsea Lin and Jess Thomson November 20, 2017
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
These aren’t your everyday deli counters—and that’s a good thing. For the finest in premade dishes and by-the-pound sides and salads, these spots are the best.
East Anchor Seafood
At this clean, bright Madrona fish shop, head for the help-yourself fridge case for dishes that highlight the ultrafresh seafood, including a Dungeness crab and snap pea salad ($11) and the excellent house-smoked fish spread ($11), best with a Columbia City baguette from the basket nearby. Madrona, 1126 34th Ave.; 206.708.6669.
The London Plane
Although the takeout selection has changed recently (gone are those by-the-pound salads and meatballs), in a cold case up front, you can now find boxed sandwiches and mezze assortments (plus yogurt, cheeses, and the can’t-miss pastry options)—that is, if you arrive early, before everything has sold out. If you want ensured lunch satisfaction, order 48 hours in advance from its specialized takeout menu. Pioneer Square, 300 Occidental Ave. S; 206.624.1374.
Deru Market
Don’t miss the baked goods at this much loved Eastside café, but strike a balance with the savory: giant meatballs in tomato sauce ($8 each), golden beet salad with pistachio pesto ($13 per pound), and roasted broccoli and kale ($13 per pound), plus woodfired pizzas and sandwiches made to order. Kirkland, 723 Ninth Ave.; 425.298.0268.
Copine
Think of the takeaway items in the deli case at this fine-dining Ballard destination as complements to a wonderful meal there—not substitutes. Pick up perfect seasonal soups and simple salads to enjoy the next day ($7–$10), plus some foie gras dog biscuits for Fido ($4). It also offers a takeout-only Sunday supper for two ($65), which must be ordered by the prior Thursday. Ballard, 6460 24th Ave. NW; 206.258.2467; Wednesday–Saturday, noon–2 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Sunday noon–4 p.m.
I Love Souzai
This hidden gem, a counter of ready-to-eat Japanese dishes, is tucked inside Bellevue’s I Love Sushi restaurant. Grab-and-go bento boxes ($9–$20) are available, but you’ll want to try the colorful salads sold by the pound; the steamed chicken salad ($4.25 per quarter pound) is the best seller for a reason. Bellevue, 23 Lake Bellevue Drive; 425.455.9090.
Check out the rest of our package on Seattle’s Best Takeout Food here.
Follow Us
Restaurant Roundup: “Pho-potle” and Yemeni Cuisine
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
This is it. The week (or two) that you, as a food and drink aficionado, wait for every year. A double whammy of epic portions. Seattle Cocktail Week (April 19-26) and Seattle Restaurant Week (April 19-May 2) are finally here. Let’s start with a beverage Seattle Cocktail Week is your chance to get out and…
Seattle Restaurant Week Is Back
Go out with friends and support local restaurants while you’re at it.
The name still undersells it a little. It lasts two weeks, not one, but it’s a pretty great opportunity to try somewhere new or go back to an old favorite. This spring’s run, April 19-May 2, brings curated menus priced at $20, $35, $50, and $65 to restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, and pop-ups across…
Magical Mollusks
Oysters are one the Northwest’s favorite harvests. The hardworking farmers behind this bounty share a deep appreciation for its source and a personal connection to the processes that yield our food.
It’s hard to describe people who are undeniably connected to the land—often, it’s about a feeling they transmit. Grounded, knowledgeable about their work, and passionate in their care for nature’s resources. Oyster farmers along Hood Canal, like Matthew Macias, give off a certain vibe, as though they have some secret to life that I don’t…
Restaurant Roundup: National Attention and a Sweet Detour
Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City.
Just south of Bellingham, the northbound lanes of I-5 have been closed for weeks following a massive landslide, pushing travelers onto Chuckanut Drive (SR 11). If you’ve got the time, we’re here to encourage you to embrace the detour and take the sugary scenic route, so to speak. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of…