May 20, 2025
Grab-and-go or take-and-bake at these Charlotte spots
Use our guide to frozen meals around town for busy days or drop-off meal support
by Kristen Wile
We all know fast food isn’t the best option to nourish your body, but some days there’s so much going on that spending time in the kitchen isn’t feasible. Instead of heading to the nearest drive-thru, you can have a better-than-home-cooked meal by making a pit stop at one of these local businesses to grab a frozen meal you can throw in the oven at home. These meals also make great drop-off options for friends who could use a helping hand.
The Butler’s Pantry, Cotswold
Tucked in the corner of Cotswold Village, this small shop offers a wide selection of pantry items and frozen dishes, including casseroles, soups, and even beef wellington.
Copain, SouthPark
This sister concept to Rooster’s has a freezer of take-and-bake dishes including eggplant parm, lasagne bolognese, and chicken and rice casserole.
L’Ostrica, Montford Park
Pop in during the chef’s market hours to grab appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, and entrees from the fridge, such as charred onion and truffle dip, spaghetti with crab and lemon butter, and chicken milanese.
Mano Bella Artisan Foods, Uptown and SouthPark
Homemade pasta options include seasonal ravioli and lasagnas, or you can grab a seasonal pesto and fresh pasta to finish at home.
Mezzo Market, Plaza Midwood
New to town, Mezzo Market is part wine bar, part fast casual restaurant, and part market. Grab lasagnes, soups, and other entrees from the freezer, then select a bottle of wine to pair with it before checking out.
New York Butcher Shoppe, multiple locations
If you want to cook the main course yourself but take a pass on cooking sides, this is your spot. Grab some prime cuts of beef (or another protein) from the butcher counter and grab classic steakhouse sides from the fridge.
Pasta & Provisions, multiple locations
A go-to for a freezer restock, Pasta & Provisions sells frozen lasagnas, raviolis, and classics such as chicken marsala and eggplant parmigiana. The pizza kits and fresh pastas are crowd-pleasers, too.
Prime Fish Cellar, Cotswold
For a lighter meal, swing by the high-end marketplace owned by the Prime Fish group for shumai, or dumplings, with options including pork belly and wagyu.
Reid’s Fine Foods, multiple locations
Don’t miss the sausage and grits casserole. Other options include chicken pot pie, beef lasagna, and chicken tetrazzini. Head to the SouthPark location for the largest selection of fresh prepared foods.
Renaissance Pâtisserie, SouthPark
Enjoy a classic French meal such as beef bourguignon or ratatouille at home thanks to the frozen foods available at this SouthPark spot.
Sorellina Pasta Co., Plaza Midwood
Only recently opened, Sorellina Pasta Co. has earned a number of fans thanks to its fresh pastas, deli case, and take-and-bake options including stuffed manicotti.
Thoughtful Baking Co., multiple locations
Chicken and vegetarian pot pies and shepherd’s pies are available at Thoughtful Baking Co. vending machines, located inside Traditions and Birdsong Brewing.
