A Survey of Charlotte’s Top Take-and-Bake Meals
If you’d rather skip cooking entirely—or just pick up a dish or two for your feast—we’ve got some of the region’s best take-and-bake options. Serve a mix of entrées, sides, and desserts from a variety of local businesses, or head to a one-stop shop like Midwood Smokehouse or Pasta & Provisions. It’s a delicious and convenient way to support local this year.
MAINS
Whole Smoked Turkey from Midwood Smokehouse. Courtesy, Midwood Smokehouse.
LET THERE BE MEAT:
Midwood Smokehouse’s Whole Smoked Turkey
($70); multiple locations
It’s the day of your holiday gathering, and you don’t have time to babysit a turkey in the oven. The pro move: Let one of the season’s top poultry purveyors take the lead. FS Food Group sources its smoked turkey from Joyce Farms in Winston-Salem. The turkeys range from 12 to 14 pounds; for reference, a pound feeds two or three. Midwood’s other meat options include smoked turkey breast; spiral-cut boneless ham with a brown sugar glaze; beef brisket; Carolina chopped pork; pulled chicken BBQ; and a smoked half-chicken.
Mert’s Heart & Soul’s Fried Whole Turkey with Gravy
($65); 214 N. College St., 704-342-4222
A BREAK FROM TRADITION:
Pasta & Provisions’ Lobster and Crabmeat Ravioli
($13.99 per pound); multiple locations
DeSarno’s Large Shepherd’s Pie
($30.95); 6420 Rea Road, Ste. 4B, 704-919-0112
Butler’s Pantry’s Beef Wellington
($29.99, serves two); Cotswold Village (courtyard), 274 S. Sharon Amity Road, 980-698-6608
COURTESY COPAIN GATHERINGS
Copain Gatherings’ Lasagna with Veal Bolognese
($25, serves two); 6601 Morrison Blvd., 704-440-5050
SIDES
COURTESY COPAIN GATHERINGS
CALL IT A ‘CLASSEROLE’
Copain Gatherings’ Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole
($45); 6601 Morrison Blvd., 704-440-5050
Copain’s hearty side has local chicken and mushrooms, Carolina Gold rice, celery, and herbs. The result, like everything Copain does, is as Instagrammable as it is tasty. Copain also makes a breakfast strata with Copain bread, maple sage sausage, roasted onions, asiago, and herbs. Both casseroles feed four, so adjust for larger groups.
OTHER NOTABLE SIDES:
Chef Alyssa’s Classic Stuffing
(Call ahead for pricing); 4001 Yancey Road, 704-817-7568
ADAM WHITLOW
Midwood Smokehouse’s Broccoli Casserole
($10-$30); multiple locations
Pasta & Provisions’ Asiago Tomato Olive Focaccia Bread
($4.99 per loaf); multiple locations
COURTESY, BUTLER’S PANTRY
Butler’s Pantry’s Ham Biscuits
($15 for 9); Cotswold Village (courtyard), 274 S. Sharon Amity Road, 980-698-6608
DESSERTS
COURTESY CHEF ALYSSA
THE GRAND FINALE:
Chef Alyssa’s Pecan Pie
(Call ahead for pricing); 4001 Yancey Road, 704-817-7568
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen’s Thanksgiving menu has everything but the turkey. Dessert selections include pecan pie infused with bourbon and chocolate. (Yep.) Chef Alyssa tells us she’s also planning a pumpkin pie with vanilla bean whipped cream. If there was ever a year to double up on the desserts, this is the one, folks. Even more convenient than pickup: Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen offers delivery for residents of Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Gastonia.
The Stanley’s Apple Crumble Pie
($20); 1961 E. 7th St., 980-299-2741
Reid’s Fine Foods’ Mini Cakes
(Variety of flavors, $5.99 each); multiple locations, 704-377-7686
Midwood Smokehouse’s Banana Pudding
($35 for half-pan; $70 for whole pan); multiple locations
Renaissance Patisserie’s Canelés
($1.75 each); Specialty Shops SouthPark, 6401 Morrison Blvd #4A, 980-819-8771
Canelés are small French pastries with
caramelized crusts and custard filling.
EDITOR’S TIP: Serve individually sized cakes or pies to minimize hand-to-food contact.