If you’re one of the 28% of Americans who doesn’t cook but has an eye on nutritious and healthy meals, Snap Kitchen may be what you’ve been looking for. With four locations in Center City, one in Malvern and one opening this Saturday, April 30, in Villanova, meal planning has just gotten easier. Now you can have a colorful and beautiful meal on the table in a “snap.”
Snap Kitchen is an Austin, Texas-based company with more than 30 locations in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Chicago and now the Philly region. They are on a mission to change how we eat, one healthy and fresh bite at a time.
Each store has its own sleek and simple design. There’s a long wall of refrigerated coolers stocked with the day’s meal selections. Each cooler presents the food in an appealing and organized manner so customers can easily navigate breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Food containers are even color coded: red for meat, yellow for poultry, blue for seafood and green for vegetarian/vegan.
Food is packaged in microwaveable, BPA-free containers. Added bonuses are the transparency with each dish and a clear, detailed ingredient listing as well as nutritional information.
According to Sara Lee, general manager of the Logan Square location (1921 Callowhill), “Customers spend about 4–5 minutes making their meal selection. We are here to answer questions about food origins, food prep methods and to also help them choose dishes that are appealing to their own palate.”
I chose a spinach salad and a main entrée of Hoppin’ John with kale and sweet potatoes. I savored each and every bite of this fresh, tasty dish rich in fiber and nutrients. It was a perfect dinner.
During my visits to the Logan Square and Old City locations, it was clear that Snap Kitchen has a strong emphasis on customer service as team members warmly greeted each guest who entered the store. Team members answered questions and helped guests make their food and juice selections. I watched a team member even help a guest create a full dinner that included soup, salad, an entrée and, of course, dessert.
This is a great concept, and here’s why. Food and only food. It is a focused shopping endeavor with a goal of getting a delicious dinner on the table in minutes. Snap Kitchen has a main commissary located in Kensington where a culinary team prepares food items daily for all their retail locations. Snap also has a cold-press juice kitchen, where healthy tonics and juices are expertly created using fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices.
A really important component to eating take-away foods from Snap is the quality. This isn’t a frozen entrée from the grocery store, but rather an expertly chef-prepared meal. Once reheated, plate it on your favorite dish and treat it like a real meal, not a microwaveable dish. You can still have dinner with Vanna White in front of the TV, but plate the meal as though you were eating at a restaurant.
If you’re looking for delicious, nutrient-dense food and great customer service, Snap Kitchen might just be the answer for you. I’ve got their menu in my hand, and I cannot wait for my next visit. No matter what type of foods you like, Snap Kitchen’s menu has something for everyone at your table, even for the picky eaters!
Quick Take-Five on Snap Kitchen
- Many people head to Snap Kitchen to lose weight. Speak to a team member, and design a meal plan for your caloric needs.
- Each store has a microwave, so you can reheat your meal on-site if you’re headed back to the office or want to have lunch in the park. There are small tables in each store, so customers can eat in-store as well. Meal delivery is available from Caviar and Grub Hub, two reputable meal-delivery services.
- Their salads are huge! You could even share one they are so big. They provide you with a two-ounce container of dressing.
- If you’re following a plant-based diet, there are many options, and more entrée meals are in development at the test kitchens.
- Food prices range between $5–$15 each.
Why I Think Snap Kitchen Is a Great Idea
Not too long ago, I was hurried and running late to get dinner for my family. I ran to the grocery store and bought salads for everyone. That wasn’t the bad part. I was then easily lured by beautiful end-caps, lovely produce displays, new product signage and more. I ended up spending $92 for what I thought would be a “quick and easy” dinner. So, head to Snap, chat with one of their talented and sharp-thinking team members and leave with exactly what you needed—a delicious, healthy “home-cooked” meal.
Snap Kitchen currently has three locations in Philadelphia: 1901 Callowhill St., phone: 215-845-0001; 1901 Chestnut St., phone: (215) 845-0002; and 234 Market St., phone: (215) 845-0003. A fourth location is opening at 11th and Walnut Streets in April. Stores are open daily from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Visit the new Snap Kitchen location in Villanova during its opening weekend, April 30 (9 a.m.–8 p.m.) and May 1 (9 a.m.–9 p.m.), at 775 Lancaster Ave., Suite 120. You can also find Snap Kitchen on the Main Line at 5 S. Morehall Rd.; phone: (484) 320-3477.
- Salad photo: Char Nolan
- Remaining photos: Courtesy of Snap Kitchen
