For most of us, the grocery store hot bar is something you pass on the way to grab a bottle of wine or get cold cuts in the deli.
Big mistake.
Grocery store hot bars are worth a stop, especially at lunchtime, for a quick, tasty meal.
Here’s the lowdown on a couple of the best in our area.
HARRIS TEETER
Where: The Shops at Friendly Center, Greensboro; 297-1361, harristeeter.com
Hot lunch bar: $5.99-$6.99 per pound
Asian bar: $6.99 per pound
Several Harris Teeters have both a salad and hot bar, but the Friendly Center location (dubbed the Taj Mah-Teeter because of its opulence) has the best selection.
It offers both a “hot lunch” bar, featuring comfort foods and the like, and an Asian bar (in addition to its plentiful salad bar).
Selections on the “hot lunch” bar can change daily but often include dishes such as Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, roasted pork loin and a few Thai dishes (possibly overflow from the Asian bar) such as Yellow Curry Beef and Massaman Chicken.
Several dishes stand out from the rest, including the moist, lightly seasoned baked chicken and the gooey macaroni-and-cheese topped with a sprinkling of baked bread crumbs.
The chicken tenders are meaty and fresh with a crispy, seasoned breading. The lightly seasoned potato wedges go well with them.
Less impressive was the baked penne pasta with marinara — not unappetizing but not exemplary, either.
On the Asian bar, the choices are just as plentiful. Appetizer-type dishes include Teriyaki Chicken Wings, surprisingly flavorful steamed pork dumplings, crispy vegetable spring rolls and Crab Rangoon stuffed with chunks of meaty crab and cream cheese.
Entree choices include Kung Pao Chicken, Spicy Garlic Beef, Vegetarian Fried Rice and Pad Thai.
The Sesame Chicken is made with meaty chunks of chicken glazed in the traditional sweet sauce, and the Thai Coconut Chicken offers a spicy-sweet kick.
Although it’s certainly not the same as getting a restaurant meal, Harris Teeter’s hot bar comes pretty close on many of its items. For the price and convenience (the bar area has its own checkout), it’s a good choice for lunch on the go.
WHOLE FOODS
Where: 41 Miller St., Winston-Salem; 722-9233, wholefoodsmarket.com
Hot bar: $7.99 per pound
At Whole Foods, the hot bar is smaller, but it still offers a nice assortment of tasty choices. Meats include sliced Cajun Roast Beef, Black Curry Pork Chops and Lexington-style Barbecue Pulled Pork, which is tasty but not in the league of true Lexington-style barbecue. Sides include baked macaroni-and-cheese, squash casserole and corn pudding. The honey-baked mashed sweet potatoes are so rich and creamy, they almost taste like dessert, and the sweet potato wedges are a nice alternative to traditional fries.
Whole Foods also serves a good selection of vegetarian items, such as grilled Tofu Ponzu (a Japanese citrus sauce); plain, Cajun and Balsamic Roasted Tofu on the nearby salad bar; and several meatless prepared salads, such as Edamame Arame Salad and Modena Cous Cous.
Most of Whole Foods’ items have a distinctly fresh taste, which might mean competition for Harris Teeter once the Greensboro store opens in the spring in the Sears building at Friendly Center.
EARTH FARE
Where: 2965 Battleground Ave., Greensboro; 369-0190, earthfare.com
Hot bar: $7.99 per pound
At Earth Fare, the hot bar may be small, but it’s packed full of tasty dishes.
There are lots of vegetarian choices –– roasted veggies, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, golden quinoa and braised red cabbage. The Soy Delight Mock Chicken Nuggets may not sound appetizing, but their look, taste (juicy with a hint of teriyaki sauce) and texture are so close to poultry, you’d mistake it for the real thing without the label.
Meat-and-potatoes types will dig the pot roast (tender, lightly seasoned beef with potatoes, carrots and green beans) and the sour cream mashed potatoes (a thick concoction of creamy potatoes complete with skins).
Another standout are the juicy Rosemary-Marinated Chicken Breasts, which are so large, you’re tempted to share them.
Items vary daily and according to meal. Earth Fare also hosts a family dinner night from 4 to 8 p.m. each Thursday where kids can eat for free with the purchase of an adult meal of $5 or more.
Casual Dining features local restaurants for diners on a budget. It runs every other week in Go Triad. Contact Jennifer Bringle at jenniferbringle@gmail.com.
