Beyond the Box, an upscale deli/restaurant/convenience store, today became the third retail business to open at ilume. Beyond the Box, which also has a smaller location downtown, features everything from soups, salads and sandwiches to beer and wine and even organic dog food. Owner Doug Brown, shown above, describes it as follows: “Beyond the Box is to 7-11 what Whole Foods is to Kroger.”
9 Comments
It does not make sense to open this type of store directly across the street from Kroger. I predict it will be defunct by the end of 2010.
I think this is just what the neighborhood needs- a quick stop with healthy, fresh food. The Kroger doesn’t even have a salad bar. Looking forward to giving it a try.
Come to think of it, they’ll probably compete more with Eatzi’s than with Kroger.
It will definitely compete with Eatzi’s but with “the Box” closing at 9, Eatzi’s still has a bit of an edge with their 9:00 Red Dot Clearance….but still can’t wait to check it out.
Tried it. LOVE IT
Whoa, didn’t know Eatzi’s had a Red Dot clearance. My life has just entered whole new horizons. But I’ll try BTB too. Eventually.
By the way, I went to holiday party this past weekend and the host tried their catered food. It was Wonderful.!!
I am having my own party this saturday, Dec 12th and using them for sure. You are all invited to my party – esp the pretty boys that let their guard down.
Beyond the Box is excellent, I love! Not as much variety as Eatzi’s, but the salad bar is amazing, the food is maybe a tad bit cheaper and it’s all delicious! Also love that there’s more indoor seating and they have chilled wine a beer =)
Here’s my amateur food critic’s review of my first experience there:
Great location. Easy to move around inside. Parking could be a problem as the word spreads.
Service was stellar. They give tastes of anything/everything.
The CousCous salad in the deli case was inedible. Just too sour all around.
The Charred tomato soup was fantastic – a Thai flavor about it.
The “Sex on the Beach” chicken salad was yummo – lots of chewy fruits.
The Chicken Cordon Bleu was a bit dry, but not bad.
The Lasagna Bolognese, while a fabulous flavor, contained extremely overcooked pasta. Most of you foodies know a gummy pasta ruins the whole thing.
The Wild Mushroom Risotto “cake” (think crabcake-shaped, not birthday cake) was creamy, good and perfect for a vegetarian looking for a nice side to an entree.
The individual serving of dark chocolate mousse cake was heaven, enough to share for days it’s so rich. While I didn’t try the pie, they are just as cute as the dickens.
Love the gourmet doggy treat section, just make sure you’re reading the labels and keeping your groceries straight. Got mine to go, so have nothing to add about the seating area off to the side. Will definitely visit again. Welcome to the neighborhood!