Three words every busy parent loves when it’s mealtime: grab and go. Five words that are even better? Snap Kitchen is now open. The Texas market known for healthy takeout has opened three stores in Chicago, with a Naperville location on the way soon. With a ton of creative —and kid-friendly! — options for breakfast, lunch and dinner you can make “cooking” as easy as dropping in the store on your way back from the playground, work or the gym.

What’s the Deal?
Snap Kitchen is coming in strong, with a Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Loop location opening nearly simultaneously in the past two weeks. That’s good news for Chicago parents who need a break from cooking, or just want to introduce their kids to something healthy and new. The concept is simple: A long refrigerated case holds around 50 meal and snack options; they change seasonally and are created by chefs with the advice of dietitians. Nearly everything is gluten free and many options are Paleo. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting because all the ingredients are listed out and even have sticker codes indicating if they’re low-salt, carb conscious, plant powered and more.

Everything is portion controlled and available in small, medium and large sizes. Pick your pleasure and take it home and microwave if indicated. The food is sold in BPA-free, microwave safe bowls, so it really couldn’t get any easier.

How ‘Bout That Food?
Mac ‘n’ cheese and chicken nuggets aren’t a thing here. The food is nice-restaurant quality, creative, and made with local ingredients used whenever possible. Think spinach and goat cheese scramble, grass-fed bison quinoa hash, Malaysian veggie curry, ginger-glazed chicken and oven-dried tomato and goat cheese tarts.  A special kids’ section has stuff littles flip for, like spaghetti and turkey “Bolognese” (made with ground turkey and brown rice spaghetti) and chicken and butternut squash macaroni.

Cold-pressed juices are available, too. Pick up a watermelon juice or Chai cashew “milkshake” (actually dairy free) — and grab a simple snack like Mediterranean chickpeas to go along with it.

Anything Else?
Because quick and easy is the name of the game here, there are perks like curbside pickup — just call ahead and they’ll have your order ready outside for you. If you have time to linger inside, there are dietitians on staff who can consult on health needs or even answer your picky-eater questions.

It’s just the kind of goodness Chicago needs and loves. So grab your stroller and pop right over.

Snap Kitchen
621 W. Diversey Pkwy.
Lakeview
773-770-2800
&
1534 N. Halsted St.
Lincoln Park
773-770-2780
&
211 W. Adams St.
The Loop
773-770-2781
Online: snapkitchen.com

What do you think of this new takeaway oasis? Let us know in the Comments!

— Kelly Aiglon

Turkey Bolognese

If you’re looking for a hearty meal that you can heat up for leftovers throughout the week you’ve found it. Courtesy of Sundays with Jennie, this recipe features turkey, but use whatever meat your kids are most fond of (chicken, beef, you name it). And, if you want to give it a healthy boost, Jennie suggests throwing it over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.

Ingredients:
3 garlic cloves
1 yellow onion
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 cup of mushrooms, diced
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 lb extra lean ground turkey
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
1. Prepare all veggies – by hand or food processor dice garlic, onion, carrots and mushrooms into small pieces.

2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large saucepan over medium high heat and then add diced vegetables to pot. Sauté vegetables for 5-7 minutes

3. Add the dry white wine to vegetables, continue stirring until wine dissolves.

4. Mix in ground meat, and stir occasionally, until meat is cooked through (about 5 minutes)

5. Add crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes and dried basil and parsley and mix well.

6. Add in bay leaf, and simmer sauce for 30 minutes ( less if you’re short on time) stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Jennie over at Sundays with Jennie. Hop on over to her blog for more great dinner inspiration.  

Been wondering what all the buzz at Buckhead Atlanta is about? No longer just a crane graveyard, the swanky shopping district is finally (actually) coming alive! Here’s the scoop on the newest kids on the block, and where to fuel up the family.

Shake Shack
Danny Meyer’s famed burgers, “flat-top” dogs and crinkle-cut fries are just the teaser to the real draw which is the custard cups, cones, shakes and “concretes.” Your little sweeties will love to build their own concrete with “mix-ins” like chocolate truffle cookie dough and marshmallow sauce while mama shouldn’t miss their “Pecan Pie Oh My” that blends Shake-spun vanilla custard with a slice of H&F Bread Co.’s pecan pie or the Campfire S’mores, which whips chocolate frozen custard with marshmallow sauce, graham crackers and dark chocolate chunks from Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co. Be sure to enjoy your treat on their rooftop deck for a whole new perspective on the good life.

Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: 3035 Peachtree Road NE, Suite A146
Phone: 470-809-9201
Online: shakeshack.com

Thirteen Pies
If you crew is craving a pie, pop into this fam-friendly joint that serves up wood-fired pizza alongside other crowd pleasers like your basic bolognese. There are twelve, regular pizzas to choose from, plus a special, seasonal “thirteenth pie” on the menu. (Get the name now?) With craft beers and wine on the menu, there is something to keep everyone in the famiglia happy.

Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: 262 Buckhead Ave.
Phone: 404-205-8970
Online: www.thirteenpies.com

Georgetown Cupcake
Our hips can thank these folks for kicking off the nationwide cupcake craze. Now, sisters and TLC stars Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne are expanding their empire to Atlanta with a rotating offering of more than 100 cupcake flavors. Scheduled to open “sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving,” we are keeping our eye on this sweets spot. We will gladly stand in line for their salted caramel and red velvet cupcakes any day.

Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: 262 Buckhead Avenue NE (at East Paces Ferry Road NE entrance)
Phone: No phone yet
Online: georgetowncupcake.com

Confused about where to park? Buckhead Atlanta offers free valet stands throughout the shopping district.

—Phebe Wahl

Photos courtesy of Praveen R. via Yelp, Georgetown Cupcake, Shake Shack and Thirteen Pies via Facebook