Snap Kitchen

Jeff Cerciello (former Thomas Keller culinary director) perfects the bakery-cum-larder-cum-restaurant concept in this sunny space with all-day dining at rustic communal tables, including a wonderful family-style dinner with a market-driven menu. Ingredients here are top-notch, and Cerciello knows what to do with them, keeping the food exciting and tasty without over-complicating. The Roast Jidori Chicken is a standout, along with any of the fresh seafood or excellent produce-based dishes. There's an attached mini-grocery store with an excellent cheese selection, pastries, and prepared salads and sandwiches.

Local, sustainable, and fresh ingredients are the focus at this rustic-meets-modern spot. The roasted salmon is particularly excellent, though there are very few misses on Forage's constantly changing chalkboard menu.

This is one of the main lunch go-tos in Santa Monica, which means there's almost always a line. The Godmother sub is the order of choice for everyone, us included, though we like to swap the pepper salad for pepperoncini for a little extra heat. Also on point: their tuna salad, and the turkey pesto and eggplant parm. While you wait for the deli to call your number, browse the market—it's stocked with authentic, imported Italian goods; the pasta and sauce selections are particularly impressive.

Housed on a residential street in Culver City, Jackson Market has a grocery section (lots of gourmet candy, drinks, and snacks) in addition to a lengthy lunch menu. While the Jamaican Jerk sandwich had a nice kick to it and the Rueben has the perfect brisket-to-sauerkraut ratio (best enjoyed right away as the dressing makes the bread soggy), the classic Italian sub is a definite fan favorite, particularly when you take the build-your-own option and opt for a turkey-and-pesto sandwich.

While it’s billed as a wine and cheese shop—and they do in fact put together an excellent cheese board—it’s the sandwich counter that’s the real draw. At only seven items long, and with the option to order by the half, you can easily sample the entire menu in a few visits—and if you need a good place to start, we always go for #1 (the freshest mozzarella, basil, and tomato situation) or the #3 (Italian salami and manchego cheese smothered in sundried tomato sauce) on fresh-baked baguette, though the ciabatta has a loyal following as well.

Being that it’s a butcher shop first and foremost, ACA is very serious about their meat-centric menu. The hot sandwiches—BBQ pulled pork, roasted turkey club, lemongrass flank steak banh mi with fried egg, and house-smoked pastrami—can be eaten at one of the few tables on-site or taken to-go. The Italian salumi travels particularly well.

Sister bakery/deli/café to the much-adored restaurant Gjelina, Gjusta literally does a little bit of everything. They also smoke their own fish, which means the cured and smoked mackerel, salmon, and trout—served open-face on fresh-baked bread or bialy—taste amazing. At the other end of the spectrum is the chicken parm: light, cheesy, and addictive. Order at the counter for takeaway or to eat here; we love tucking into plates of fresher-than-fresh California bountry at the scattered outdoor tables.

Clementine is a go-to for light, fresh breakfasts, salads, and a solid heat-at-home selection—but their build-your-own grilled cheese is actually one of their best offerings. For the last 15 years, grilled cheese month (April), has been marked by a grilled cheese-specific menu centered on a specific theme, like “Curds Against Humanity” and “Melt the Vote.” Execution? Buttery, goo-ey, salty, and browned to perfection. The first outpost is located in Century City.

Built in 1917, restored in the '90s, and then revamped in the past few years, this downtown market—which has operated continually for the past century—still maintains its original façade in the Homer Laughlin Building. Nowadays, you'll find specialty shops like DTLA Cheese, along with small food joints serving up Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese food, ideal for the downtown office crowd and tourists alike.

With lines out the door by 10am, this is one of those spots where parents with early risers win: We go for the quinoa, veggie, and egg bowls, while our kiddos are bigger fans of the homemade doughnuts, scrambled eggs, mini English muffins, and grilled cheese. You can eat in (the tables turn over quickly) or take your turkey meatballs to go.

A coffee bar with pastries, a counter for prepared salads and sandwiches to go (or linger over), and a mini-grocery's worth of delicious cheeses, wines, snacks, and frozen treats. Though there are a million tables, they're generally always full; and parking in the area is scarce. That said, it's great for a mid-week breakfast or lunch. (There is also a Joan's in Studio City.)

At the beginning, this mother and son duo were just making meals for a few friends. Then it turned into a full-fledged catering company. Now, there's also a café and marketplace, which serves delicious breakfast and lunch fare, with a focus on fresh, organic ingredients. The salads are delicious and varied while the sandwiches range from an artisan grilled cheese to the Austrian-inspired chicken wiener schnitzel. The lunch boxes and DIY picnic baskets are pretty brilliant.

While many grab a seat at one of the tables to linger over eggs and cappucinos, we like this place best for its takeout. Fridges and freezers—loaded with pre-made soups and crowd-pleasing lasagnas—line the shop, and they also do take-out catering with minimal on-site prep. If you want a real sit-down affair, try their other spot, Local Kitchen + Wine Bar.

It can be hard to get really excited about vegetarian food (that can easily go vegan), but Kitchen Mouse makes it wildly appealing—both in the form of their cafe and catering (they do a brisk business in both). They're also nut- and soy-free. Must orders: Crispy Gomasio Rice Cakes and the breakfast sandwich.

Dinette is a sidewalk eatery by Café Stella owner, Gareth Kantner. There's a walk-up window and tiny interior showcasing Dinette's pastry treats. Also on the (changing) menu: heartier options like smoked salmon toast, Kobe beef burger, ricotta frittata, skirt steak with chimichurri, and an all-day breakfast pizza. And of course, coffee. You can take your food to go, or find a spot at one of the small tables outside the café.

Culver City’s food scene is exploding right now, and one of the best additions is understandably Picnic LA. The menu is divided into entrees (meatballs, chicken leg tangine, salmon, etc.) and sides (green salads, potato salad, and all kinds of other vegetables) that can be mixed and matched into a full meal. Everything’s pre-made, so getting in and out quickly is surprisingly fast, and it all packs up easily if you actually want to have a picnic. If that’s the case, don’t miss their desserts, like key lime pie squares or dark chocolate pot de crème.

Located in the old Nabisco building just north of the Meatpacking District, you’ll find a warren-like maze of restaurants and specialty shops. There are many hits, but we like Los Tacos No.1 for authentic Mexican and, if cooking a special meal at home is an option, we’d pick up our bread at Amy’s, fresh groceries at the Manhattan Fruit Market, and crustaceans at Lobster Place (they also do great pre-made rolls). You'll also find Bowery Kitchen Supply and Posman Books, where the offerings are more suitcase-appropriate.

This is kind of foodie nirvana, care of Mario Batali. Essentially Costco-sized, this Italian gourmet grocery store stocks aisle after aisle of the best artisanal ingredients, including truly fantastic fresh pasta. Throughout the space (which also includes cookware), you’ll find plenty of places to sit down and eat. While there are several gussied-up Batali restaurants upstairs, including a rooftop birreria, we find the best way to experience Eataly it is to grab a seat at one of the many bar-size specialty eateries scattered across the main shop floor. Understandably, they offer an excellent array of gelato.

This new development in the formerly sleepy and overlooked West 40s gathers some of the city’s top food purveyors like Blue Bottle Coffee, Jeni’s Ice Cream, and Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, under one roof, with a stand and bar-seating at each. It’s worth trekking to this desolate part of town purely for Chef Seamus Mullen’s tapas concept, El Colmado.

We’re big fans of this sustainability-first spot, which is growing like crazy. The focus is on local farmers, proper sourcing, and environmental respect, which is also reflected in the hands-down delicious food. Besides the build-your-own salad bar, the bowl-centric dishes range from Mexican-inspired salads to basic cobbs—and in the true spirit of transparency, they reveal calorie content, too. Come lunchtime, the lines extend around the block.

Hearty, meaty sandwiches and Montreal-style deli food (house-smoked meats, poutine, brisket, and more) are served here, deluxe. Make sure to get a pickle on the side and wash it all down with a good glass of wine.

The sandwiches, soups, and salads here are mighty: While the offerings change daily, you can always count on a pretty delicious (and hearty) turkey sandwich, or a chopped salad packed with everything you could ever want. There's also a location in Soho.

This 30,000 square-foot French-style food hall offers a bustling market divided into different “districts" (from a café and an ice cream shop to an ample salad-and-prepared-food spot), as well as multiple restaurants. There’s Le Bar, which as its name suggests is best for a glass of wine and shared plates, and then the gigantic Liberty Bistro, with standard bistro fare and a view of the water.

Co-owned by two brothers from San Francisco—who were dismayed by the dearth of good Mexican spots in NYC—the emphasis here is on the basics: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and burritos-in-bowls. The ingredients are fresh and local, and the flavorings are equal parts subdued and complex. This spot is popular: There are now 8 in New York City.

Dig Inn’s philosophy is “farm to counter,” which means that they serve sustainably sourced, usually local food in a casual setting and in a price range that makes it a reasonable option for everyday lunch. The salads and the market plates are easy to take back to the office (or home for dinner), and the menu changes with the seasons, so you won't ever be bored with the offerings. There are locations in Morningside Heights, Union Square, Tribeca, and in Midtown on 52nd, Madison, and 55th, in Lower Manhattan on Pine, Liberty, and Broad St., in Nomad, and off Madison Square Park.

This tiny little café on Lexington serves great coffee, alongside a small-but-mighty food menu. While there's no denying how good the schnitzel and breaded chicken sandwiches are, this is an especially great choice for vegetarians. The avocado smash (which is drenched in pumpkin seeds) is fresh-tasting yet totally filling. The tiny space can get a little bit crowded during the lunch hour, so it's best to take your brown bag to go.

Goop HQ will enthusiastically vouch for the fact that Schnippers (the original outpost is conveniently located on the first floor of the New York Times building) has the best chicken fingers in the city. While kids go wild for their fries and milkshakes, it’s a pretty great indulgence if you’re working late and need a convenient sugar bomb. They also have locations in Flatiron, Midtown, and in the Financial District.

This Manhattan mini-chain specializes in healthful, Mediterranean food and is particularly convenient for lunch if you work in the area. Unlike the delis and salad bars you’ll find on every corner, the focus here is on mostly organic, impeccably sourced foods, meaning there's no mystery surrounding the origin or freshness of your salad, sandwich, or soup.

Ask someone with a gluten allergy about the Little Beet, and you're bound to get an earful of praise—the entire, delicious menu is celiac-friendly. Chef Franklin Becker was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when he was in his 20's and devoted the rest of his career to rebuilding his cooking style; the menu is full of light, healthy meals with an emphasis on lean protein and tons of vegetables. The seasonal menu items are always a sure bet, as are the make-your-own-plate options. There are also locations on Park Ave. and at Penn Plaza.

Chloe Coscarelli was fresh out of culinary school when she won an episode of Cupcake Wars with a vegan cupcake recipe: She was the first person to do so on that show or any other televised cooking competition. She’s since opened a casual restaurant in the West Village (followed by others), with an adorable interior (striped wooden floors, colorful tiles, hanging swing) and a little fridge with pre-packaged food. While the menu is focused on smoothies, juices, and great vegan burgers, you can still pick up her famous cupcakes.

Just Salad was an early adopter of the fast casual dining option, and they now have locations in practically every New York neighborhood. While they have some great existing menu options (including a few rotating seasonal choices), the main move here is to create your own salad and have it chopped. The ingredients are always really fresh, as they source them from within 350 miles of the restaurant at New York, New Jersey, and Vermont farms; everything is organic and exclusively non-GMO. Other locations: Flatiron, Fashion District, Financial District (on Broad St., Gold St., and Broadway), 30 Rock, Murray Hill, Chelsea (there's one on 8th Avenue and one on 6th Avenue), World Wide Plaza, Lexington, Park Slope, Downtown, Upper East Side (on 3rd Avenue and also on 1st Avenue), Hudson Square, Downtown Brooklyn, Macy’s Herald Square, Upper West Side, and the Woolworth Building.

The cast of characters at Pennsy is surprisingly star-studded, all things considered. Vegetable lovers, as always, will appreciate the presence of The Little Beet, but the market is also home to The Cinnamon Snail, a brick-and-mortar version of the beloved vegan food truck, which serves the kinds of sandwiches that make veganism much more appealing. Lobster Press is there as well, Marc Forgione's take on a casual seafood spot, where the thing to order is the sandwich for which the cart was named—a hot lobster panini, pressed and served hot. There's something here for carnivores too, at Mario by Mary (a fast-casual Italian collaboration between Mario Batali and Mary Giuliani that promises excellent Italian sandwiches and muffalatas) and butcher Pat LaFrieda's first restaurant (order the filet mignon sandwich or the meatball sub). While that line-up is enough to garner a lot of regulars, La Colombe coffee really cinches the deal.

Union Fare, a newish foodhall smack-dab in the center of Union Square, has a little something for everyone: made-to-order salads, tacos, poké, burgers, pizzas under one roof. Bonus: there’s a coffee bar that serves matcha croissants for a midday pick-me-up.

All of the adorable locations in Brookline, Cambridge (Third Street, Broadway, Main Street), and Charles Street offer the same classic light aesthetic, brightened up by crisp subway tiles and a haphazard collection of Edison bulbs and other industrial light fixtures. Chef Tzurit Or was born in Israel, and regulars rave about her Mediterranean-style fare, like savory tarts and sweet baked goods. She's also incredibly thoughtful when it comes to her ingredients, which she sources locally and humanely.

Bon Me was started by Boston natives Patrick Lynch and Ali Fong, who ran it as a food truck in the early years. Now, their Asian-style cuisine is served at restaurants across the city. The Chipotle-style ordering system asks you to choose between a sandwich, noodle salad, rice bowl, and green salad—then, choose from fillings like tofu, pork, and chicken. Veggies are included no matter what, and it's worth noting that the sandwich is by far the most popular item. These guys are expanding fast, with more than ten food trucks scattered around the city, and locations in Cambridge (Fresh Pond and Kendall Square), Chestnut Hill, and the South End.

Clover actually bills itself as “fast food,” a comparison that’s not totally wrong considering that their average serve time is 3.5 minutes (seriously)—though that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Ayr Muir, the passionate founder behind the food-truck-turned-chain sources all of his produce fresh daily and scrawls the daily-changing menu on a whiteboard each day to reflect what’s been delivered. There are no freezers, and all of the food is prepared directly in front of you, as there’s no back of house whatsoever. While the daily changing menu means you never know what lunch is going to be, you can always expect it to be fresh, veggie-heavy, and flavorful. Clover's growing quickly, with several food trucks roaming constantly and brick-and-mortars in Harvard Square, East Cambridge, and Brookline.

This cheery little spot is right next door to city hall, meaning that it’s within striking distance of countless offices come lunchtime. Founder Kyle actually started the business when his wife, Lydia, was diagnosed with breast cancer and their doctor recommended trying out a “plant-packed” diet for her recovery. There’s a lot going on here—a juice bar with multiple-day meal plans, made-to-order smoothies and lunches, and a cooler stocked with premade meals. Everything is fresh, organic, vegan, and non-GMO; fan favorites include the chia seed pudding and quinoa sliders.

Flour Bakery is best known for their pastries and desserts (owner Joanne Chang famously beat Bobby Flay when he tried to take on her sticky buns in Throwdown), which are more than enough to justify a visit. Less famous but equally good are her lunchtime sandwiches and salads, which can be ordered at the counter and taken to go. Needless to say, the bread on the sandwiches is game-changing—we’re partial to the focaccia—and it’s kind of sinful to leave without taking dessert to-go, also. Locations Downtown, on the South End, and in Cambridge.

This Greek spot has a pretty short menu—they stick to gyros and an excellent Mediterranean salad. The pork loin for the traditional gyro is marinated and stacked on a rotisserie (no horrifying cone in sight), and then sliced on to fresh pita to-order. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to black-book for your next craving. There's a second location Downtown.

Locals love Filter because in a lot of ways it feels like a friend's living room—lived-in, mismatched couches, dim lighting, and good music. And with disco fries, wraps, sandwiches, and veggie options on the menu, it's pretty easy to set up shop for the day with no real need to leave.

From the Mason jar–topped wood tables (huge—so feel free to spread out), to the distressed floors, to the taxidermied deer head on the wall, there’s a distinct rustic flavor to this Logan Square café. Unlike many spots that can easily coast on the quality of their coffee alone, the food offering here—simple, delicious breakfast, toasts, and sandwiches—can also hold its own.

This self-professed “fast-casual” eatery prides itself on giving guests a 100 percent customizable experience. The tech-to-table system allows for lightning-fast service (order from a digital menu board, and then take a wireless tracker to your table), though if traditional waiter service is more your speed, there’s that too. Food-wise, the focus is on healthful, fresh fare, with the menus at both locations brimming with veggie-driven dishes (for the most part, produce is sourced locally) like kale slaw and grilled artichokes, in addition to comfort staples like matzo ball soup and close to a dozen burger variations (the turkey burger is a GP favorite). There's also a location in River North.

Just like the NYC outpost, and the dozen or so locations all over Italy (as well as recent offshoots in Japan, Dubai, and Istanbul)—Eataly Chicago is a foodie wonderland. The sprawling space is packed with imported sauces, beers, sweets, and so much more. There’s even a selection of housewares and books. Stalls offering house-made breads, pastas, and cheeses are scattered throughout—we recommend doing a lap to get the lay of the land first before committing to any one spot. For more formal dining there are several restaurants that are pretty efficient about taking walk-ins. No big surprise, but they have great gelato.

Cold Storage is actually inside the Swift & Sons steakhouse—it’s their take on a seafood bar, with oysters and tons of shellfish. While the seafood tower doesn’t really make the best to-go order, you can get their excellent grilled fish and sandwiches (crab salad on brioche with avocado and lemon, anyone?) packaged up and ready for take-out. Dangerously, the desserts make for great takeout, too.

Situated next door to its sister restaurant, the Publican, PQM offers a full butchery plus sandwiches and old-fashioned breakfasts. In the evenings, it gets converted into a dining room for the Publican's private events.

Despite the name, José Andrés’ fast-casual joint in D.C. (there’s also a location in Philly now) puts all of the focus on vegetables. You’ll pick a base of bulgur, quinoa, rice, or leafy greens, and top it with vegetables and some oomph, like an avocado or a poached egg. The pre-made favorites, like the excellently named “Frida Kale,” or the “Kimchi-wa” bowls, sort of take out the guesswork. There's a second location in Foggy Bottom.

Suzanne Simon and Bettina Stern first started serving their vegetarian tacos at D.C.-area farmers markets, and it wasn’t long before the lines began, even on cold mornings. As expected, their first-ever brick-and-mortar has been wildly popular. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh, and tacos can be ordered single or in three’s. In response to popular demand, any of them can now be ordered with a fried egg for protein-hounds.

This tiny little spot off Dupont Circle serves hummus the way it’s served in Israel—rather than a side dish, it’s actually the base of the meal. When you order, you’ll receive a bowl of hummus topped with a medley of (typically sautéed) vegetables and/or meats, along with a small green side salad and a warm piece of pita bread. The meals are incredibly filling but never overwhelming.

The three owners of this easy lunch spot are actually cousins whose parents owned a series of traditional Afghan kebab spots in town—SKWR is their modern take on the cooking style they learned form their parents. The classic kebab elements, like seasoned meat and basmati rice, are reminiscent of mom-and-pop spots, but the serving style takes cues from Chipotle. Decide between a bowl, a plate, and a wrap, pick a meat, and top with endless mixtures of spreads and dips.

Taylor Gourmet is the blood, sweat, and tears of two Philadelphia transplants who opened the chain’s first deli after determining there wasn’t a single good Philly-style hoagie spot in all of D.C. Today the chain is many locations strong, making it a lunchtime staple for everyone from college students to President Obama. The salads are perfectly suitable if you’re trying to keep lunchtime healthy, but the real order here is anything on their freshly baked bread (which gets delivered daily). The Italian sandwich and the Philly cheesesteak are obviously excellent, though anything involving their fried chicken cutlets is also worth a try. They're expanding fast, with locations in Dupont Circle, Mount Vernon Triangle, and the H Street Corridor.

Breken Kitchen occupies a stand-alone space with train tracks on one side and highway overpasses on the other—it sounds loud, but it's actually quite cool. Coffee flows freely here, they offer salads and sandwiches, and the brick-lined interior is always filled with light. There are also varied seating options, from couches to café tables, to long community tables.

Think of Garden Bar as the Sweetgreen of Portland. Mix-your-own salads (or choose from a few well-executed menu items) that are mixed and tossed for you on site. The advantage of going local for a quick salad joint? Most of the organic vegetables on order are sourced from Oregon farmers. There are also locations in the Pearl District, Old Town, and Park Square.

Kenny and Zuke’s almost seems out of place in the Pacific Northwest, since they easily meet New York standards for Jewish deli food—if it wasn’t for the hand tie-dyed t-shirts on the staff, you might think you were on the Upper West Side. These guys first became famous for the pastrami, which they make in-house, but they do all of the classics really well, from pickles to bagels to rye bread.

Like so many good casual spots, Kure started out as a food cart—when the lines got out of control, the owners knew it was time to expand into brick-and-mortar. The menu is full of fresh-tasting acai bowls and smoothies, along with a healthy selection of cold-pressed juices and other healthy eats, like oatmeal and matcha (the West End location actually has some heartier lunch options, too, like salads and quinoa bowls). Astonishingly (and awesomely), 90% of the ingredients used in their products are grown or made in Portland. The other locations only have juice, smoothies and açai bowls, but they're in almost every neighborhood:SE Division, Downtown, Hawthorne, and Moda Center.

This restaurant is named for a salumi made from backfat, which is an appropriate name, as the entire menu is really an ode to pork from the meatball banh mi to the pastrami cheeseburger to the french fries (which are made with pork fat). Part of the charm of the place, too, is that it’s such a Portland story: started as a food cart, check, adventurous foodie menu, check, enormous craft beer list, check. There are locations on both sides of the river, in Northeast Portland and Downtown.

Pike Place Market is probably most famous as a fish market—and it has to be acknowledged as a teemingly popular tourist destination—but with more than 80 restaurants and food stands, it’s also the best place in town for lunch to-go. Everyone has their own favorite spot, but the Bavarian Meat Deli (ruebens), Country Dough (Chinese stuffed flatbread), and Oriental Mart (Philipino food) are all great. For a healthier option, Ellenos yogurt offers some of the best Greek-style yogurt we’ve tried. Beecher's handmade cheese, which also has a location in New York, is the city's greatest cheesemonger, too—their tastings and classes make excellent gifts.

Today, it’s not unusual for a restaurant to list the farmers and other local purveyors it sources ingredients from on the menu—though that wasn’t the case fifteen years ago, when Portage Bay Cafe started doing it. Four locations strong, we come here for easy lunches and all of the brunch staples, which they make with eggs from nearby Stirs farms (which, amazingly, includes plenty of actual images of their henhouses on their website). While it’s not technically grab-and-go, you can order takeout ahead and pick it up upon arrival. There are also locations in University, South Lake Union, and Ballard.

Volunteer Park Cafe (so-named because of its location in Capital Hill, just blocks from Volunteer Park) is the definition of a neighborhood joint. Long communal tables, fresh pastries every day, and best of all, chickens in the backyard (don’t worry, they’re just for eggs). There’s a counter at the front for to-go orders and coffee and pastry pickups.

Portland’s Alder Street food carts, which occupy an entire city block of space downtown, are emblematic of the city to the point that they’re one of downtown’s major tourist attractions. Don’t let that deter you, though—plenty of locals like to hang out here, too, and come lunchtime the entire parking lot is buzzing with vendors and customers. The lines themselves are usually the best indicator of where to find the best-tasting dishes, but we recommend Whole Bowl for veggie-centric rice bowls and Nong’s Khao Man Gai, which, as the name suggests, only serves khao man gai.

Historically, vegan, gluten, and dairy-free food can resemble cardboard in both taste and consistency. That's not the case at Seed + Salt. Here, the 100% clean menu is thoughtfully developed to make the most of local ingredients' inherent flavor, which translates to delicious plant-based dishes like the S+S Beet Burger, Quinoa Falafel, and Horchata Chia pudding. And while the light-filled café is great for a casual hang, the takeout menu is a welcome alternative to fast food on busy weeknights.

This gorgeous building right on the Embarcadero houses some of San Francisco's most notable food merchants including Hog Island Oyster Company, Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop, and Blue Bottle Coffee. It's the ideal place to bum around on rainy day and the outdoor farmers market (they set up on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) is not to be missed.

Sure, it's technically a deli, but that's only because there isn't really a fitting name yet for a quick and easy lunch spot (they're great for dinner and breakfast, too) that does the requisite sandwiches, soups, and salads while adhering to the tenets of the slow food movement. This means that everything on the menu is sustainably and locally sourced, mainly from Sonoma's family-owned Oak Hill Farm. The grilled cheese sandwiches are especially insane.

The name kind of says it all—house-cured meats are the main draw. The minimalist (and mini) space serves as an artisanal grocery store and Italian-themed lunch counter where the food selection, while on the skimpy side, totally hits the spot when a sad store-bought salad won't do. The oversized sandwiches are stuffed with gourmet meats (get the Salumi sandwich to get a good idea of their offering) and organic veggies while the salads are sprinkled with fancy add-ons. Needles to say, the charcuterie boards are the real deal. There's another location in the Mission.

Jane is known for venturing beyond the expected coffee-and-pastry formula and providing locals with wholesome and delicious organic breakfast and lunch. The granola, which they sell in to-go jars, is particularly memorable. Owner Amanda Michael made it a point to make each of the two locations (there's also an outpost in Pacific Heights) as comfy and welcoming as possible, which explains why both are perpetually packed.

Lucca deli has been a family operation since 1929—brother-and-sister pair Paul and Linda Bosco are actually the grandchildren of the original owner. Accordingly, the place has all the trappings of an amazing Italian deli: salami hanging from the ceiling, cheese wheels aging behind the counter, shelves packed with canned and jarred goods, and fresh tortellini and ravioli, which is still made by hand. The Italian sandwiches are a worthy lunch indulgence, with crusty rolls (delivered fresh daily), provolone, fresh-sliced meats, and their secret ingredient, a roasted red pepper spread.

Working Girls is specifically designed for grab-and-go lunch, so it’s exactly the kind of place you can stop into for quick breakfast when you’re running late, or head to for lunch when you just can’t leave the desk (you can order online so the food’s ready when you arrive). The menu is miles-long, so they’ve got whatever you’re in the mood for, from classic sandwiches and paninis to light salads. They’re now three locations strong. There are locations on New Montgomery Street and Mission Street, too.

The concept of Eatsa is to provide the convenience and speed of fast food with the nutrition of the slow food movement. The speed comes from their specially designed ordering system—you’ll order and pay either on your phone ahead of time or on an iPad in store. When you arrive (or in a few minutes if you order on-site) your food is ready to take away with you. They achieve this efficiency in the kitchen by offering a few easy-to-build bowls that you can customize to suit your tastes. The mediterranean salad is great for the carb-conscious, as is the “no worry curry.” There's a second location on Spear Street.

The Golden West is tucked into a small alley in the Financial District, and its takeout-only counter is marked with a neon “Au” sign. The menu is limited to a few items, and while everything from the salads to the daily specials is excellent, they’re really famous for the pork rib sandwich—a messy, sauce-y pile of stewed short ribs topped with caramelized onions and served on a freshly baked roll. If you must be health-conscious, the spicy chicken salad is also great. Photo: Alex Roberts.

While finding a Ruthie’s food truck near your office on a weekday is practically a godsend, knowing that they cater just makes it that much better. They rolled by the goop pop and served their famous grilled cheese heart attack (aptly called The Boss), which comes complete with slices of BBQ brisket tucked inside. Wash this or the mac ’n’ cheese down with their soup shooters on a day when you’re feeling particularly indulgent—it’s worth it.

Chi’lantro BBQ’s most famous dish is their kimchi fries—classic french fries topped with caramelized kimchi and melted cheese that taste as good as they sound. The rest of the menu offers comfort food inspired by Korean BBQ, including a rice bowl, an asian salad, an excellent burger, and more. Cubicle types, take note: Their online ordering system is really easy and streamlined.

Whole Foods is a lunchtime staple no matter where you live, but the flagship Austin location sort of takes everything to the next level. Inside, you’ll find 80,000 square feet of fresh, local, and organic goodness, and a prepared food section that matches. HQ is right upstairs.

Beaming is most famous for being a smoothie shop (the Rockstar is a goop staff favorite), but their whole-food cleanses are extraordinarily powerful. There are three-, four-, and five-day options available, and each day includes one of their super-food smoothies, followed by cold pressed juices, shots, and raw soups and salads. Their bride-to-be program gives brides (along with their grooms, bridesmaids, mothers) a clean countdown to the big day. Besides West Hollywood, there are locations in Santa Monica and Brentwood.

Jennifer Jewett makes the chore of preparing meals obsolete. Jewett—the founder and executive chef of Citizen Sprout and a mama herself—and her team whip up fresh, inventive, healthy lunches and dinners from scratch for kids and adults every day. They make it easy: You can drop by their bright Santa Monica location for ready-made salads, smoothies, soups, bowls, and the like, or you can order ahead online. (The Buffalo Cauliflower Salad and the Braised Chicken and Spinach Meatballs are goop-staffer favorites for lunch or an easy weeknight dinner.) Jewett also delivers to select schools throughout Los Angeles, offering littles a rotating, seasonal menu of lunches made with hormone- and antibiotic-free proteins and local and organic produce.

Founded by a former marketing executive and his personal trainer, Fitness Kitchen LA is built to be a complementary, easy-to-execute nutrition plan for active people. Starting at $50 a day, they deliver three full meals and offer a few different programs (appropriately dubbed “trim,” “train,” and “maintain”) that customers can switch up according to their needs. The menu changes weekly, but the lineup always includes an approachable variety of classically healthy food: Favorite dishes include vegetable quiche with a rice crust, stuffed bell peppers with Spanish rice, filet mignon with horseradish and broccolini, and a farm vegetable salad with oven-roasted turkey.

Florence Betheau, a.k.a. Chef Flo, is a French chef who cooked in a classic French style—heavy on meat, eggs, and dairy—for years. After experiencing the positive effects of vegan and gluten-free recipes on herself and her autistic daughter, she started to drastically shift her style of cooking. Today, her seasonally grounded meal delivery is an LA favorite for making veganism easy (and delicious). Average dishes might include Indian curried butternut squash dal, Tex-Mex sweet-potato cakes with Moroccan tomato sauce, or vegetable gratin with mung beans; everything is comforting and incredibly flavorful.

Using organic, local ingredients—with all of their meals boasting an average of almost six different fruits and veggies—Thistle whips up colorful gluten- and dairy-free fare, with vegan options as well. We're partial to their “poke" bowl: marinated rainbow beets, togarashi-sprinkled brown rice, edamame, cucumber, and avocado sesame ginger dressing. House-made nut milks spiked with mushrooms, plus superfoods like maca, spirulina, and moringa take the menu to the next level. Local couriers deliver in SF and LA, and shipping is available to greater California and Nevada.

Methodology, a food delivery plan that ships nationwide, is made for busy professionals (or generally fast-paced New Yorkers) looking for nourishing meals at minimal effort. Their plans range from vegan to keto, and they taste amazing. The menu, which changes weekly, is full of cleaned-up comfort foods like Spanish chickpea paella and vegan eggplant caponata made with basil pesto, broccolini, and pistachio parmesan. Their desserts are amazing, too: think matcha chocolate collagen balls and paleo dark chocolate brownies with avocado frosting. You can mix and match your proteins and sides, and arrange for portions to be big enough for two servings. Meals arrive in glass jars, which travel well, and they'll pick up for easy reuse. Delivery is available nationwide (except Alaska and Hawaii).

We’ve been fans of Kore for years—you can test their Berry Mint Kiss smoothie recipe here, which was part of one of our annual detoxes. Their delivery service is everything you’d hope: vegan or sustainable meat options made with local and seasonal produce, all free of gluten, dairy, and processed ingredients. Their signature Kore Cleanse is whole-food based and filling, with each day’s menu incorporating a superfood smoothie and snack, vegan salad, vegetable soup, and evening teas. As an added bonus, you can upgrade any plan to include bone broth from Brothee.

Model Meals is a lot of things at once: grain-free, Whole 30-compatible, local, and organic. (This is a good one if you're looking to avoid dairy and legumes entirely). Deliveries come on Sundays and Wednesdays, and you can easily customize your menu by simply choosing exactly what you want from the rotating list of paleo-friendly meals—plus, you can add Rx bars and other simple snacks to your cart, which really round the week out.

Kooshi lets you choose between paleo, pescatarian, vegetarian, detox, and signature gluten-free options, with opt-in packages ranging from five to forty days. Delivered each morning, all meals are organic and gluten-free, with ingredients sourced from local farms and fisheries; a vegetarian dinner might include roasted spaghetti squash with seitan bolognese, garlic broccolini, and Parmigiano Reggiano (with a really good mint chocolate cookie for dessert).

Georgia Cummings started Potage in her mom’s kitchen in 2012, delivering food locally in Notting Hill on her bicycle. Today, her small team delivers to offices and homes across central London, with special attention paid to sustainability: They use no plastic and minimal, fully compostable packaging, and have a commitment to zero food waste. Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients contribute to nourishing, filling meals, like red lentil and spinach dhal with roasted sweet potato and chili saffron marinated chicken thigh with chickpea and pistachio.

Started more than ten years ago (which is a lifetime in the realm of meal delivery services), The Pure Package offers a variety of meal plan options that range from a full-on 21-day detox to vegetarian to paleo-inspired. Their general healthy eating option packs maximum nutrients into a gourmet package: lunch might be a smoked chicken, wild mushroom, and artichoke terrine, with stuffed roasted red peppers for dinner (and a dark Belgian chocolate mousse snack in between). Founder Jennifer Irvine also recently launched a more affordable version, called Balance Box.

Meals from Spring Green are typically fairly colorful: The menus, designed by chef and founder Bonnie Stowell, are filled with plant-based options and include everything from rainbow rolls with chia crackers and grapefruit-ginger dip to pumpkin pasta with cashew and mushroom cream. With an emphasis on nutrients for skin health and meals full of healthy fats (but mindful of not cutting carbs completely), there are three tiers of menu plan, starting with fully vegan and working up to higher protein meals with eggs and some meat.

Delivered in sheep's wool-insulated bags, these frozen meals lock in nutrients and make for easily re-heatable (and highly portable) meals. Sustainably sourced meats and fish are used throughout the menu, although there are vegetarian options, like stuffed portobello mushrooms with goat cheese and beetroot and apple barley risotto.

Eat Purely’s meals can all be ordered on-demand and delivered within 20 minutes via their easy-to-use app; a lifesaver on days when dinner plans aren’t top of mind until it's too late. The menu (which changes daily) is very vegetable-focused, with dishes like kale and beet Caesar salad, vegetable Meritage, coconut-glazed salmon, and sweet potato gnocchi.

Kitch Fix is a favorite of the exercise community in Chicago because of its emphasis on a low-carb, high-fat, paleo style of cooking—favorite meals on the rotating menu include honey-glazed chicken with bacon guacamole, herb-roasted grass-fed beef, bone broths, cashew yogurt, and their paleo granola, which is available at Whole Foods. The easy-to-navigate website allows you to customize sizes—a seriously convenient feature when one family member is training for a marathon and the other’s doing gentle yoga. Also cool: Many of the company’s employees are students in or graduates of the Cara Program, a Chicago nonprofit that provides job training for those living in homelessness and extreme poverty.

After Chef Jona Silva read Michael Pollan’s book Cooked, he cut out refined sugar and started eating healthier—basically re-inventing his style of cooking. His meal delivery company of the same name, which he started with his wife, is beloved in Chicago because it provides a huge variety of options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and kids meals (they even do great lunchboxes). The food is always local, organic whenever possible, and changes considerably with the seasons—plus, they offer Whole30-approved reset plans. They now deliver to all of Chicago—the city and surrounding suburbs.

With brick-and-mortar locations all over San Francisco, The Plant Cafe is always a solid standby for fresh, healthy takeout. Their signature vegan cleanse program provides clean, whole foods or juice for up to five days. Great for easing into a juice-only cleanse, the "The Health Nut" starts out with green juices, followed by fresh salads and a gentle soup for dinner. There are pickups in every neighborhood, in addition to delivery.

Luke’s mission is as simple as it is admirable: to make life easier for busy professionals, working moms, stay-at-home dads, and everyone in between. There are meal plans and pre-packed lunchboxes—all prepped by professional chefs using nutritious, sustainable ingredients (there’s even a house butcher, so you know exactly where your meat comes from) and curated meal kits if you’re feeling ambitious. They’ll also stock your pantry and fridge with à la carte groceries or seasonal “bundles,” and can also deliver gourmet care packages, which make for a great gift.

Farm Hill initially became famous for its bento box lunches (which, at the time, the founders cooked themselves before class back when they were in graduate school at Stanford). Their signature is that nothing is processed, and that they never add sugar or sweeteners—the resulting meals have a definite paleo vibe, with vegan and vegetarian options and a whole lot of kale. Meals can be ordered same-day via the app or their website. Startup folks, take note: Their corporate account allows companies to cover lunch for employees while letting each person pick their own meal. Clutch, considering that they deliver as far south as San Jose.

Food Matters is a collective of experienced chefs and nutritionists who work as a team to offer busy New Yorkers a two-pronged approach to wellness: A nutritionist maps out your dietary needs then passes the info off to a chef, who’ll customize delicious, locally sourced meals to meet them. All dishes fit the detox bill (no gluten, refined sugars, or dairy) and are prepared fresh daily.

Scrolling through the Provenance site is kind of like taking a virtual walk through your local farmer's market, which makes sense since the fresh ingredients used for the clean, detox-approved meals (functional medicine guru and goop contributor Dr. Frank Lipman is an advisor) are sourced locally from organic farms. Deliveries are based on a twice-weekly schedule and can include any combination of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks to meet a number of dietary needs; the whole food detox bundle is particularly appealing this time of year.

Short of having a professional camped out in your kitchen, Personal Chef really lives up to its name: The small but mighty operation takes your food preferences and dietary restrictions into account, and uses ingredients from local farms to design a menu for you that perfectly suits your needs. You can sign up for varied regularity, like a week’s worth of dinners, or three meals a day (plus snacks)—or just work with them to create exactly what you want.

With a bunch of meal plans and cleanses to choose from—there’s one for achieving ketosis and another to fight inflammation—Urban Remedy packs in the nutrients and removes all dairy, gluten, white sugar, white flour, and unhealthy oils, which is everything you’d want from this type of service. Founder Neka Pasquale, a licensed acupuncturist who has a background in traditional Chinese medicine, considers every ingredient for its healing value—and the result is varied and colorful salads, like their Umeboshi offering: purple and green cabbage, carrots, spinach, avocado, daikon, and blend of sesame seeds, almonds, hemp, kelp, and nori (with an umeboshi vinaigrette). Treats include raw cacao mousse and fiber-rich paleo matcha energy bars.

This one is for anyone curious about clean eating but too busy/cooking-averse to do the goop detox from scratch. As gorgeous as the presentation may be, it’s what’s inside Sakara's pretty packaging that counts: expect to find three or five day’s worth of 100-percent clean, organic, nutritionally sound meals—water and detox tea included. A menu might read something like this: gluten-free bagel with cashew cream cheese for breakfast, mango veggie burger for lunch, and vegan chopped salad for dinner. The program was launched in NYC by ex-Wall Streeter Whitney Tingle and Danielle DuBoise, a former model, and has quickly expanded to offer deliveries across the country.

While it's not exactly a full-on meal delivery service, what Daily Harvest does—deliver pre-measured organic smoothie and/or soup ingredients and super-food add-ons that you store in the freezer until blend time—is just as useful to anyone looking to take their eating habits to a healthier place. And don’t let the freezer bit trip you up: fresh fruits, vegetables, and berries retain both their taste and nutritional value better when cryogenically frozen at their ripest point, which is exactly what these guys do best.

We’ve been fans of Marco Borges and his 22-Day Revolution program from day one. What's special about these clean meals is that they are surprisingly filling considering it's all strictly plant-based—in fact, the program's main objective is to introduce the masses to the joys and health benefits of veganism. While you can receive your meals—which range from hearty breakfast bowls to flavorful curry dinners—on a daily or weekly basis, according to Borges, the most beneficial route is to take on the 22-Day Challenge (the number is based on the theory that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit).

The 75 in Factor 75 stems from the notion that "75 percent of your fitness comes from what you eat," which is why each and every dish on the rotating daily menu is designed (by certified nutritionists, no less) to fill you up and replenish vital nutrients bodies need to perform at their best. All dishes taste great and the standard for quality of ingredients borders on obsessive: everything is organic- and hormone-, gluten-, soy-, and GMO-free. Meal plans operate on an automatic renewal subscription system, though you can opt for an entire day's worth of meals, or just one or two.