Food is very personal.
And having a say in what you decide to eat (and how it’s prepared) when you are dining out is exactly what happens when you eat at honeygrow, the Philadelphia-based fast-casual eatery. If placing an emphasis on organically grown foods that are locally sourced is exactly what you are looking for, then honeygrow will be your next stop for a stir-fry or dinner salad in Wilmington. With eight locations in the tri-state area, this fast-growing food concept is the new food rage and arrived to Wilmington in early October.
Founded by Justin Rosenberg in 2012 (the first location is at 16th and Walnut streets in Philadelphia), the honeygrow vision was to create an eating spot that would put the diner in control of food, no matter what type of diet they followed. Whether you are a vegan, a carnivore or gluten-free, honeygrow has something for everyone. Rosenberg’s passion for eating local and healthy food is creating quite the footprint in the fast-casual arena.
Although honeygrow is Philly-based, it has deep roots in Delaware and that’s because of Chief Brand Officer Jen Denis. Denis, a native of Newark, is a graduate of the University of Delaware where she received a bachelor of fine arts. Her keen and creative eye has added a sleek and artistic style to each store’s unique layout. She’s designed everything from the take-away containers, the logo, store concepts and more. She’s a real foodie with a flair for identifying food trends before they really happen.
You won’t find any processed foods at honeygrow, nor will you find any freezers, because everything is fresh and local. With a line-up of touch screens for ordering, the you can create exactly what you want to eat. The quick-and-easy ordering system puts you in control of your meal. If a touch screen is intimidating to you, “ambassadors” rove the floor to offer assistance at all phases of your visit.
Create a delicious stir-fry or a bountiful salad, and did I mention that there’s a dessert bar called honeybar? You can create a fresh fruit salad topped with locally sourced yogurt and honey. If you want, freshly made in-house whipped cream is also available for a fun topping!
I asked Denis to describe honeygrow in three words, and without missing a beat, she responded, “authentic, passionate and delicious.” But, Denis also explained that honeygrow has a good price point ($6.95–$10 per entrée), offers exponential options and allows you to be as healthy as you want to be. Honeygrow maintains food authenticity and provides quality ingredients. You can taste freshness in every bite—really.
Truth be told, I pretty much eat the same thing every time I visit honeygrow. I try and think outside the salad bowl, but their spicy tofu has me at each visit with “hello, welcome to honeygrow.” And, I don’t even like tofu. But this small wonder of bean protein (sourced from Fresh Tofu in Allentown, Pa.) is too delicious to pass up! It is the perfect protein to my plant-based salad. Although there is a mountain of house-made salad dressings to choose from, I opt, always, for the freshly squeezed lemon juice. My husband, on the other hand, is a fan of the stir-fry and always sticks with the free-range chicken stir-fry with whole wheat noodles. It’s packed with vegetables and is deliciously filling. You can go crazy creating your meal.
If I had to describe honeygrow in three words, I’d be repetitive and say, “delicious, delicious, delicious.”
Keep an eye peeled for the next opening in Newark, coming soon to 58 E. Main St. We’ll let you know when that happens but, in the meantime, go to Wilmington and enjoy your meal made just for you.
honeygrow is located at 5609A Concord Pike, #7B, in Wilmington, Del.; phone: (302) 407-3331.
- Exterior photo: Char Nolan
- Remaining photos: Jen Denis
