We’re ready for everything warmer weather brings to the table, from hikes and picnics to bike rides and sporting events. (Not to mention, Iroquois Steeplechase is right around the corner on Saturday, May 13th!) With so many activities to look forward to, the looming question is: What’s for lunch? Luckily, Nashville’s food scene never disappoints, offering up everything from decadent special-occasion dinners to perfectly-packed box lunches. Choose from one of these 11 local spots to find your perfect on-the-go combo.
Tinwings
816 51st Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 454-5250
Tinwings to the rescue! In addition to a rotating weekly box lunch menu, the catering company also offers a market in The Nations featuring freshly baked artisan bread, sweet treats, and a fridge stocked with fabulous grab-and-go items. When it comes to box lunches, Tinwings offers a Wednesday To-Go option or “Weekend Eats” menu (a beautiful variety of breakfast or brunch items, seasonal fare, family meal options, and something sweet for dessert) that will knock your socks off.
SB Tip: Plan ahead and place your order five days in advance. Specialty catering is also available to customize what goes into your box lunches.
Get weekend-ready with to-go selections from Tinwings! Image: Tinwings
Chef’s Market
900 Conference Dr. Suite 9, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 • (615) 851-2433
Chef’s Market offers a myriad of ways to order fresh, gourmet food to go. From breakfast trays and market salads to comfort meals, you can find everything to satisfy your cravings and the size of your group. For effortless gatherings, the box lunches are a great option.
A full-size box lunch includes a whole sandwich or wrap, homemade tortilla chips, and a choice of salad and dessert. The boxes run $14 to $49 per person with a minimum order of 10 servings. Half-size box lunches (half sandwich or wrap) are $12.40 per person, and you can even snag grab-and-go value box lunches for $9.99 per person, which include everything but the salad. Are you gluten-free? No problem. Chef’s Market also offers vegetarian, gluten-free, and nonfat meals.
More ordering information: A three-day lead time is required for all orders, so be sure to order ahead!
Order a feast at Chef’s Market. Image: Chef’s Market
The Food Company
2211 Bandywood Dr., Nashville, TN 37215 • (615) 385-4311
The Food Company and GreenHouse Bar pride themselves on creating local, seasonal fare to support a greener Nashville — and we’re here for it. For easy and healthy lunch offerings, head to The Food Company for Bargain Bags and Bountiful Boxes, ideal for everything from ball games to beach outings. For $13.50 per person, the Bargain Bags include a sandwich (chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad, veggie, or turkey) on farm sourdough, multi-grain, or wheat, accompanied by chips and a cookie.
For something fancier, the Bountiful Box includes sliced pork tenderloin with pineapple pico de gallo and biscuits, roasted potatoes, a FoodCo side salad, local cheese and fruit, and a salted caramel Ooey Gooey Bar for $21 per person.
More ordering information: Bargain Bags require a minimum order of eight bags, while Bountiful Boxes require a minimum of 18.
A sandwich at the GreenHouse Bar, which can be included in your box lunch | Image: GreenHouse Bar
Monell’s
Germantown: 1235 6th Ave North, Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 248-4747
Monell’s at the Manor: 1400 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217 • (615) 365-1414
Monell’s is home to Southern classics and comfort food, so bring your appetite! The menu may change daily, but you’ll always find favorites like skillet-fried chicken, green beans, cheese grits, cornbread, biscuits and gravy, pork chops, and pot roast.
Monell’s also has you covered for all your summer gatherings, thanks to their box lunches. You can look forward to sandwiches like Southern-fried chicken, deli club, baked ham, roasted turkey breast, chicken salad, or vegetarian delight stacked on home-baked hoagie rolls or croissants. Boxes are $9.95 each, not including dessert.
More ordering information: A minimum order of 10 boxes is required.
Image: Monell’s
Puffy Muffin
229 Franklin Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027 • (615) 373-2741
Puffy Muffin has been a longstanding Brentwood staple known for beautiful wedding cakes and impressive gluten-free baked goods — but this local spot also offers catering and box lunches!
For box lunches, choose between a Sandwich Plate or Turkey-Bacon Ranch Wrap. Sandwich offerings include chicken salad, pimento cheese, tuna salad, ham, and turkey. Plus, chips and fruit are included. A 10-person minimum is required, and box lunches are $14 per person. A gluten-sensitive option is also available.
More ordering information: On weekdays, plan to order by 3 p.m. the day before you need the delivery. We recommend reaching out even further in advance for the weekend. Check online for more information on delivery fees for your area.
Image: Puffy Muffin
Eastwood Deli Co
1896 Eastland Ave., Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 726-3699
In the heart of East Nashville, family-owned Eastwood Deli Co prepares delicious, from-scratch meals, including specialty sandwiches, house-made soups, fresh salads, and sweet-and-savory breakfast options.
Eastwood Deli Co’s freshly prepared box lunches come in two ways: simple or fancy! Both boxes feature the deli’s most popular sandwiches and salads served with chips and a cookie, but if you’re curious about what makes the “fancy” option fancy, the secret is in the box itself. Served in a windowed pastry box, it’s perfect for occasions when you’re looking to impress.
More ordering information: For orders up to 70 people, 24 hours’ notice is required. For gatherings over 70, you should plan to order with 48 hours advance notice.
Check out this assortment of box lunch sandwiches and salads from Eastwood Deli Co! Image: Eastwood Deli Co.
Dream Events & Catering
200 Hill Ave. Suite 4, Nashville, TN 37210 • (615) 259-0848
Dream Events & Catering is on a mission to banish boring box lunches, and they’re doing a dang good job of it! Their boxes are delicious, nutritious, and pretty, to boot. From roast beef with muenster cheese and caramelized onions on a Kaiser roll to ham and brie on sourdough, Dream offers specialty sandwiches with room to customize based on your individual preferences — ideal if you have time to plan well in advance and have specific culinary ideas in mind. Each box is eco-friendly and tied with craft string, making the lunches attractive, accessible, and of course, delicious!
More ordering information: Prices vary based on your level of customization. To learn more about pricing and availability, visit dreameventsandcatering.com.
A beautiful display of box lunches with labels by Dream Events & Catering | Image: Dream Events & Catering
Mitchell Delicatessen
1306 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37216 • (615) 262-9862
One of East Nashville’s not-so-secret lunchtime staples, Mitchell’s is a go-to spot for serious sandwiches and catering offerings, too, including box lunches. Mitchell’s proudly uses only the highest quality, natural ingredients from local sources, and the meats are typically cured or smoked in-house. From the Banh Mi or French Dip to the Jalapeño Pimento Cheese, there are options galore — including plenty of vegan options like BBQ Asian Tofu or Seitan Supreme. There’s also a salad menu and the option to order gluten-free — a sandwich without the bread.
You can expect to add $4.50 to the cost of your sandwich or salad for a box lunch, which features your choice of sandwich or salad along with a side and dessert. You can’t go wrong with any of the sides, whether you opt for fruit salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, Benton’s bacon potato salad, or Kettle chips. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the dessert options — an apple, brownie, or chocolate chip cookie.
More ordering information: Contact the deli 36 hours to one week before your catering date. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for orders of 25 or more.
A sandwich platter at Mitchell Delicatessen | Image: Mitchell Delicatessen
Ambrosia Catering
2211 Gladstone Ave. #C, Nashville, TN 37211 • (615) 254-3783
With over 30 years of catering experience, Ambrosia Catering is known for serving fabulous food displays at large events. What you may not know is that Ambrosia offers box lunches, too, with the option of ordering off their menu or creating your own custom boxes!
Each box comes with a choice of sandwich (and cheese, lettuce, and tomato), an option of pasta or fruit salad, a bag of potato chips, a homemade cookie, and an iced tea or lemonade. Even better, Ambrosia offers an extensive list of specialty sandwiches, from tender roast beef with cheddar cheese or classic chicken salad on a croissant to sliced avocado with tomato on a pita. A classic triple-decker club with bacon is available for an additional $1.95 per person, and well worth it! Large and hearty salads are also available instead of a sandwich. Delivery starts at $55.
Sunflower Cafe
2834 Azalea Pl., Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 457-2568
Veggie-lovers rejoice! Everything at Sunflower Cafe is vegan, and just about anything can be made gluten-free or nut-free, making Sunflower Cafe the perfect lunch spot for a crowd with dietary restrictions. Choose between an entrée with one side or a sample lunch with three sides. Both options include a no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookie and a bottle of water.
Possible entrées include wraps and salads, with items like buffalo tempeh wrap, curry chickpea wrap, Greek salad with tofu feta, Southwest salad, and more. Plus, each item comes with a variety of toppings to choose from. Popular sides include Pad Thai salad, sweet potato casserole, or caramelized apples.
More ordering information: A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for all catering orders. If you have a large order, reach out well in advance! Orders begin at a minimum of eight boxes, and each is $12.99.
Vegan Buffalo Tempeh Wrap at Sunflower Cafe | Image: Sunflower Cafe
Daily Dish Catering
2205 Hillsboro Rd., Franklin, TN 37069 • (615) 293-1128
With Chef Sean Begin at the helm, Daily Dish Catering offers delicious box lunches for all kinds of events. From salads to sandwiches and wraps, standout items include the strawberry salad with mangos or mandarins and the grilled pesto chicken sandwich with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh greens, and lemon aioli. You can also pick from various sides, including potato salad, pasta salad, fresh fruit, and more. And don’t forget dessert! Fan favorites include brownies, key lime pie, and banana pudding.
No matter the event, keep “local” in mind when you place your orders!
**********
Stay in the know on the best of Nashville. Subscribe to our daily emails!
