To-Go Delights at The Dish Cafe

Tastemaker

By Lynda Wheatley | Aug. 24, 2019

Traverse City’s The Dish Cafe — long a go-to spot for quickly prepared eat-in and take-out breakfast, lunch, and snacks — unveiled a new look, expanded menu and hours, and a full bar a few years ago. Most recently, they made life even better for those folks who live, work, and play downtown, installing a grab-and-go cooler full of readymade Dish-worthy options and to-go beer and wine. Our editor popped in to grab goodies for a post-workday picnic with her kids and was delighted to find not only the requisite salads and sandwiches but also fairly healthy whole food-based dishes that, unlike in most deli coolers, don't lean heavily to starch and cheese. Her picks: an outstandingly moist Cherry Chicken Salad made with yogurt and mayo, fat chunks of celery and chicken breast, whole almonds, and light red onion and spices ($4.50 for 8 ounces); a Broccoli Bacon Salad featuring among its ingredients actual bite-sized broccoli and the surprising and tasty addition of cashews ($3.50 for 8 ounces); and a tangy Green Lentil Salad with tiny bits of red bell pepper, Kalamata olives, feta, mint, parsley, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and spices ($4 for 8 ounces). She and the kids — a 3- and 5-year-old — devoured everything. And if three out of three for a 3-year-old isn’t a high scoring meal, we don’t know what is. Find The Dish Cafe at 108 S. Union St. Open 7 days a week. (231) 932-2233, www.thedishcafetc.com