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Categories: Health Markets, Caterers [Edit]
Neighborhood: Queen AnneStop by the store for an 8oz Stumptown latte with Golden Glen Creamery milk or any size americano.
Announced 3 days agoMon-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This is a great store! I had been wanting to check it out for awhile, since I'd heard some good things... and it did not disappoint.
The space is well laid out with lots of cases full of everything from sides to entrees, soups, and desserts. They've got cookies and breads, sodas and wines. Anything and everything you'll need for the perfect pre-made dinner.
Sure, the food here is pricier than your average frozen food... but it's not your average frozen food. Locally sourced food in reusable containers.
I can't think of anywhere else in Seattle where you can get this kind of service.
Coffee by Stumptown. Definitely a must stop by in upper Queen Anne.
I went here because I had a Chinook Book coupon that was about to expire. I had driven past a million times and it always seemed like an interesting place. And since I had the coupon I figured I would try it out. It serves the needs of people who can't (or won't) cook. And the food is really excellent.
We got the chicken gnocchi and lasagna. Both were excellent- tasted fresh and homemade. They had a lot of other local stuff like wines, chocolates, coffee, honey, etc.
I probably won't keep going back very often because my lifestyle doesn't warrant spending so much money on prepared foods. But I do recommend it to those who have such a need. I bet the food is healthier than eating out, it's convenient, and obviously it's good that they use local products. Oh yeah, and lots of veg and vegan stuff that is clearly labeled and easy to find, if you are one of those types.
It's been a while since I've stopped in to grab some work lunches. My visit today was outstanding if only because SAUSAGE RISOTTO is back!!! But also because of a few new things:
$1 Stumptown latte sweetened with Agave nectar
Empire Ice Cream in about a bazillion flavors, buy 3 get $1 off your purchase. I somehow limited myself to these four:
Rosemary Brown Sugar
Smoked Chili Pepper and Chocolate
Fresh Mint and Theo Chocolate
Carrot Habanero Sorbet
Molly Moon pints are also available.
I'm looking forward to lunch tomorrow!
get on the mailing list. get the coupons. get a free 1-2 person sized entree when you spend $20.… Read more »
I just finished forking the last bite of Tamale Pie into my mouth. When I first heard about Eat Local I was really excited. But then I went in for the first time and was shocked and disappointed that everything was frozen. And the prices seemed high for a frozen meal. So I left without buying anything.
Then today I wanted to drop off some food for a friend that was sick and unable to cook. So I sucked it up and headed to Queen Ann, resolving to pay the high price of being a good friend. While I was buying big meals for my friend, I picked up a single serving of something for myself, just for the hell of it. And today after a long day, I decided it was the perfect time to shove it in the oven and have my way with it. And from about the second bite, I was a total convert. It was, as mentioned, a Tamale Pie. Usually a bland and dry dish. But this was light, well rounded, fluffy, and each vegetable had it's own original flavors still shining through. Unheard of in a frozen entree.
I now have no qualms about spending ten bucks on a frozen dinner. It was seriously better than some dishes I've had in a good restaurant. Now I can't wait to go back and try more things. I only wish I lived a little more local to the shop.
My friend and I decided to randomly take the 4 bus past my house all the way to Queen Anne and just get off somewhere.
Well, Sir Metro took us here and boy, was I ever happy!
What caught our eye was the $1 Stumptown lattes and americanos sign out front. Stumptown is my favorite coffee in the whoooleee wwooorrllddd and getting it for $1 is just plain ol' stealing.
Places like this make me happy to be alive! The staff is super friendly and the place is lined with good looking local eats. I didn't try any of the food, but the pizza looked mother f-in divine.
The only thing I had to say after my experience was "HM, I wish they had a place to hang out and internet at!" But Yelp has informed me that their is an upstairs internetting area. Sooo, y'all get an A+.
I need to come back and check out the frozen dinners but I love the idea of fresh meals and local wines and local art. They make an amazing latte for $1 how could you NOT come here for a visit and Greg the owner is one of the sweetest souls I have met. We spent a few minutes in front of his store looking at spinach sprouts in his little garden. How can you not love that? Will be back to try out all of the products including the sauces especially!
P.S. Yes, it's pricey, but I like what the other reviewer said, get on the mailing list and mention those coupons. Save some money and eat well. Heaven!
I want to say that more than anything I love the idea of this place. Greg, the owner will explain it all to you. But basically there are frozen entrees, soups, apps, and deserts all over the place divided up by the number of servings. The food is grown and produced locally. You basically buy it frozen (in either a foil container or a glass one which can be returned and reused) and let it defrost the cook in the oven.
But the best part so far is that the meals are out of this world. We've had the cassoulet, braised beef, mac and cheese and rosemary carrots to name a few. Each one is made very well, has excellent flavors and holds up well with the whole freezing thing. i was worried things would turn out mushy, but that is definitely not the case.
The best thing to do is to get the meal the day before and keep in it the fridge for a day to start the defrost process.
The wines are also pretty good, we really enjoyed the rose as well as the malbec.
We haven't tried the desserts yet, but I'm sure we will. I think everyone should shop here every once in a while, it's important that businesses that focus on being local make it through this economic recession!
Three stars for the entrees, five stars for the desserts, baked goods, coffee, service, and food philosophy.
The entrees are hit or miss; some are good, some are not so good. I've had good luck with the pizzas and the mac and cheese, plus a few of the chicken dishes. Try and see what you like....If you're in a hurry, it's always better than anything else you can get out of a freezer case at the grocery store, but for me it's not better than something I could make. However, they have great coupons they frequently mail out, and I like being able to buy fresh, sustainable food at the last minute.
In other news: Eat Local's desserts are always wonderful, and I've become a big fan of the Flapjack Bars, especially the Honey one, as a nice alternative to other kinds of breakfast bars. Surprisingly, there is some good private label wine here; the Malbec is very tasty! I love being able to buy (frozen) locally-sourced meats plus cheese and dairy, and then there's the coffee! Stumptown, always phenomenal, and $1 Americanos right now. Everyone who works there is very friendly, and they have a quiet, airy seating area upstairs with good views.
Nothing better to do than take a sunny spring hour to walk up and down the hill, happy dog in tow, for a little afternoon delight!
Eat Local is one of my/our favorite places in Seattle. If you enjoy good food, and have a sense of responsibility about how you live, you just can't beat it.
We had the lamb tagine tonight with a spinach salad I threw together...fabulous. And can't wait to try the pork and apple tagine too. Chicken with apricots we have always loved- a good standby. And today picked up the goat cheese, beet and walnut dish- just out! Their desserts- well, I'm sorry I gave up sweets for Lent, and had to avoid even looking today- they are amazing. Their crackers are terrific- but addictive so watch out! And the flapjacks- apparently it's a British thing- they are almost like blond brownies- ridiculously good! I love that they continue to innovate, bring in seasonal food and recipes, keep it "fresh", so to speak!
It is truly PERFECT for the (many) nights we just don't have the time or energy to get dinner on- amazing food, and we know it's locally sourced and organic so we feel great about it too.
Also is the perfect gift for a hostess, for someone sick or bereaved, someone with a new baby (oh- they have baby food too!) - we really can't imagine not having Eat Local in our lives anymore.
I sat down with an engineer friend and did a price analysis by the way- if you are looking at good food, fresh, organic, local ingredients to make one of these meals, and the time it takes you to do it- suffice it to say this is a great value (worth doing these analyses nowadays).
The best thing- for those times we DO feel like cooking- they are now carrying locally sourced organic meat! With their fastidious adherence to all things good about food- well, we feel a lot better about what we are putting on the table, into our bodies, and serving our guests. And as we all know, it just tastes a lot better too.
Ah- and the Nikki McClure partnership (who also does a lot of work for Patagonia and other sustainable businesses) is very cool. Recent gift for baby and mother: meals for the family (check), baby books (one for the baby, a couple to store for friends about to have babies), and a baby Nikki McClure t-shirt. Note that everything they carry fits their business philosophy- we should ALL support businesses like this and frankly there aren't very many.
I haven't tried the coffee yet, but with everything else they do, I'm guessing it's pretty great.
Absolutely fabulous! Eat Local has wonderful, inspired, healthy and LOCALLY grown and prepared food… Read more »
what a killer concept.... thos i do wish that i had ceom up with it first...
we eat organic. whic although it is getting easier, is usually still fairly expensive and sometimes hard. we also try our best to eat as local as we can, which makes the organic thing even more difficult. eat local helps... a lot. they carry all kinds of awesome local products from meat to grains (who else has bluebird grainey in town? like... no one... that's who...) plus they even do premade organic frozen dinners that you take home and cookw whenever in reuseable glass containers that you return for a discount. AWESOME. we like to cook when we get a night free, but i'm sure that it is super convenient and awesome for families on the go... and great freaking coffee at unbeatable prices. i love this place, and what they stand for!
I am so, so, so happy about this place! It not only spares me from cooking, it rescues me from the disaster that is processed frozen food. Eat Local does all the work for me, and I just get to sit back and enjoy the tastiness while congratulating myself on saving the planet. Yay!
The shop on Queen Anne is lined with freezers stuffed full of seasonal, organic, locally grown meals, pre-made for your convenience and all ready to heat up. They have everything - entrees, soups, sides, desserts, and even baby food! There's also a great selection of other local comestibles, including wine, apple cider, and Moon Valley honey lotions. Dishes are organized in freezers based on portion size (feeds 1-2 people, 2-4 people, etc.) and adorned with different colored labels to easily distinguish the red meat, poultry, and vegetarian options.
I like the cheesy greens and squash risotto, and went gaga for a wedge of rich chocolaty goodness whose name has escaped me in my daze of delish. Chocolate decadence, maybe?
If peering in at all of the meals gets your stomach grumbling and you can scarcely control your drool, you can always pick a meal to microwave and eat upstairs. Even better, if reading this review has you hungry, you can order Eat Local meals to be delivered to your door through SPUD! Tasty meals dropped right on your front porch - it doesn't get much more local than that!
I've never actually been into their Queen Anne location, but I do work at the Capitol Hill farmer's market and buy from their vendor all of the time! I don't mind paying a slightly higher price if it means that everyone is getting a piece of the cash money pie. Their lasagna is sooo good, and it's made with grass feed beef!
Wow!
I just found this place a few days ago. What a great idea, I love eating local organic non-toxic foods, pre-made just bake and eat. I love the multiple serving sizes from 1 to 4+.
The pricing is good, I think I would spend about the same making it myself. I love the reusable glass containers they use also, I hate to through so much junk in the dump. they also have some cool artwork from an Olympia artist.
I think this will become a regular spot for some quick meals for me. Great Local Food.
Eat Local is a great place to pick up prepared gourmet meals. These healthy meals are made with organic and free range ingredients that are grown within a 300 mile radius. Sure the food costs a little more here, but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside that I'm supporting the local economy as well as eating gourmet pesticide free food.
They have quite a bit of dishes that will certainly please herbivores and carnivores alike. Dishes that I have enjoyed include: Roasted Vegetable Chili, Apricot Lentil Soup, Roasted Apricot Chicken, Skagit Valley Curry, Orchard Pork Roast, Sun Dried Tomato Chicken w/Artichoke Ratatouille, Boundary Bay Dungeness Crab Risotto, Apricot Bar and Howe Street Macaroni and Cheese. They do have a couple of quiches that I want to try out: Smoked Chicken and Sun Dried Tomato. Yes, real men do eat quiche!
The food comes in a couple of varieties: disposable and returnable. The disposable is self explanatory, but the returnable is an Anchor Hocking glass dish that you pay a return deposit for. It's a nominal charge and you get your deposit back by bringing back your dish when you are done. You can keep it if you want. Its nice glassware, but I shop here a lot and I really don't need more stuff to clutter my already full cabinet space!
The owner and staff are quite friendly and helpful. They also have a website that is updated regularly and they do have an online newsletter that you can subscribe to that keeps you abreast on seasonal menu changes.
Pricing for main dishes*:
1 - 2 people $8.98 - $10.98
2 - 3 people $16.98 - $21.98
4 - 6 people $28.48 - $39.98
* = Some food items may be more due to limited supply.
UPDATE: 06/24/07
Tried the Smoked Chicken Quiche which was quite tasty. It is the size of a regular 8.5 inch diameter pie. Its packaging describes the dish as: This seasonal quiche is generously filled with smoked free-range chicken, free range eggs and fresh local asparagus.
UPDATE: 09/01/07
I've tried quite a few dessert items lately and have really enjoyed: Honey Lemon Cheesecake, Blueberry Crisp, Peach Crisp and Pecan Bar.
UPDATE: 12/10/07
Eat Local received Seattle Magazine's Best of 2007 for "BEST EXCUSE TO NOT COOK TONIGHT"
Try the summer menu - it's awesome!
Chicken with Mushrooms (I love love love this one!)
Chicken with Honey Dijon
Chicken Apple Tagine
Can you tell we like chicken?
All time favorites:
- Sundried Chicken with Artichokes
- Bolognese sauce - love to throw this into my pot of chili to give it extra oomph!
- I think they have the chicken pot pie all the time and my husband adores it.
- The other day when it was cold and felt like an autumn day, we had the Garam Masala chicken dish and it was the most delicious comfort food!
We sampled the Empire ice cream and it's soooo YUM. I bought some and had my husband try it. He said 'It's scary how good this tastes!" That was the roasted apricot flavor, btw. All of the flavors are exquisite!
We sampled the vegan chocolate cake and I must say.... that is the best vegan anything I have ever tried!
*** UPDATE ***
I'm so afraid to put a review on here for Eat Local's pizza for fear that it will always be sold out when I go to buy it. Let me start by saying that I live about 30 miles from Eat Local and when I get a craving for it, I have to coordinate my shopping when I'm working from the office in Seattle. I feel less guilty about the carbon foot print that I make because if I have to be physically in the office in Seattle, I might as well stop by Eat Local, which is just about a mile away.
Sausage Pizza! It's made with Thundering Hooves sausage and it is sooo exquisite. The sausage is very mild in flavor. With the caramelized onions and the buttery, thin, flat crust, and fresh mozzarella - this is so heavenly. I do not feel guilty eating this one bit! The borscht soup is so tasty too! I wish I could make it! Their brownies and flourless chocolate cake are so soo delicious. Thinking about them right now makes me drool! Shoot - which reminds me - I have a flan in the freezer that I need to try!
The only thing that can make Eat Local any better than it is, and it is quite an outstanding store already, (it better be for me to drive 30 miles to get to it) is to offer more gluten free products. Please Greg, please please please - can you come up with a gluten free pizza??? My husband misses these so much and I feel so guilty that I have picked up on his addiction and I hate torturing him when I eat it. So now I have to eat it for lunch, when he's at work. Please incorporate more gluten free meals!!!
I love this place! I've been looking for this very service and I'm so excited to have come across… Read more »
It's cute, the people are real nice, the concept is amazing. However, if I want a two person meal for $33.95, I will go to a nice restaurant, bring home leftovers for lunch, even leave a good tip. (Granted it would be Thai or Mexican, but a meal nonetheless)
When I saw this place I was so excited, I think that the idea behind it is amazing, but I think that they are also taking advantage of a niche market with their prices. A recent study conducted at University of Puget Sound found that on average in the Seattle area, food is less expensive at the farmer's markets then in supermarkets. That's the first reason it should not be so expensive. Second, all of their food is frozen, so most likely there is little waste in terms of spoiled food that doesn't sell. Third, through a very cool "return your container to get your deposit back system," they have most likely really reduced their packaging costs. Last, due to the whole Eat Local concept, they don't have to import foods and pay transport costs, can contract with local merchants, and can use ingredients that are in season and less expensive.
They do have a cute retail section, but overall, I think people who want to eat locally are really trying to do the right thing, but I feel this shop is really discouraging to the whole concept.
*Disclaimer- I don't expect them to be supercheap, I am okay paying more to support local, independent businesses. I will pay $4 for a scone at Flying Apron, $40 for a tee shirt at bouncing wall, or a little more than expected at Ken's Market for groceries. Over $30 for a frozen meal though? Maybe I'm just not that fancy.
I work a lot and still try to maintain a social life so spending a lot of time cooking is low on my list at the moment. I don't even have time to stop somewhere and pick up prepared meals and have my Eat Local dinners delivered to me through Spud. Seriously, my choices lately have been: Leftover pizza, Whatever-I-have-in-the-fridge-nachos, or Eat Local. Their meals are quick, tasty, and local. I'm willing to fork out the money for convenience due to the fact that I care about what I eat and where it comes from. But the instant my schedule becomes less hectic, I will likely go back to shopping at the local markets and cooking my own food. Why? Ten dollars for a single serving entrée alone is a wee bit much. I'd go for a bulk discount or the addition of frozen local vegetables with the meal.
I'm in agreement with Christina B. about the price of a frozen meal. I had hoped for fresh food; there are so few places with ready-to-eat foods that are good and at a reasonable price. Oh, I miss the deli's and prepared food stores on the East Coast! PCC has some interesting stuff, but generally, the supermarket deli counters just don't cut it.
But what I like about this little shop is the upstairs. It's cozy, big-windowed and bright. So pick up coffee downstairs, and hang out upstairs for the free WiFi.
A trip to the old neighborhood inevitably yields discovery of some sort of change - your old dry cleaner is gone, another store has changed their name, your favorite restaurant has painted their sign, etc. This trip up to the top of Queen Anne resulted in finding a great new shop, which had actually just opened. On the corner of QA Ave. N & McGraw, where Curves used to be, is now an awesome new food shop which provides ready-made meals made primarily with local, organic ingredients (from about a 300 mile radius) in take-home-and-cook packaging for either one person to a party-size portion, from salad to dessert (mmm, the Chocolate Decadence looked amazing, plus a Maple Cheesecake). Since they just opened (and it's winter) there wasn't a ton of food yet, some of the fridge bays were empty, but browsing through what they did have was making my mouth water - Apricot Lentil Soup, Squash Curry Soup, the Chocolate Decadence. Also a lot of meat available - ribs, beef pot pie, etc. They also carry fresh bread from the Tall Grass Bakery in Ballard, organic local honey, and locally made jam, chocolate, and dried fruit, as well as a great line of pottery from a ceramic artist from Port Townsend.
The one drawback for most people would probably be price. While for many, including me, things like buying organic, local, fresh food is worth the extra bucks to be getting something good and to support local farmers/shops, others might shy away from the cost of doing so. The few dishes whose prices I took a peek at seemed a bit high, but not too bad if your motivation leans toward the altruistic.
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Category: Health Markets
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Category: Specialty Food
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