Best out take out
Bellingham’s top food-to-go
Madi Fassiotto holds half of her eight-inch vegetarian sandwich at DaVinci’s Classic Subs. DaVinci’s also serves delicious fries, which come with their famous fry sauce. // Photo by Finlay Morrison
Written by Finlay Morrison
When I first moved to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University, I remember feeling a little stuck. I was living in the Gamma stacks of the Ridgeway Dorms getting my only meals from the dining hall. At first, this was pretty cool: a pizza bar, custom sandwich station and all-you-could-drink chocolate milk. What more could a broke college student want?
But as my first year went on, the pizza began to taste like a used napkin, getting the same sandwich was no longer satisfying and even the chocolate milk lost its charm.
Although going out can be expensive and is by no means a sustainable alternative to the dining hall or home-cooked meals, it can fill your stomach and bring you joy.
Whether you are missing mom’s home-cooked meals or just want to switch things up, Bellingham is home to some great take-out spots that are as equally delicious as they are affordable. These local spots can offer comfort to new Bellingham residents; because what is better than a warm, delicious meal when missing home?
Ranging in tastes and atmosphere, each of these take-out spots offers something special to the community: a sense of comfort. Not only have these places filled my stomach, but they have filled my heart.
These places have been a part of some of my favorite memories in Bellingham when I’m with my friends and we are connecting over a good meal. So, whether you are feeling homesick or just need a little spark of joy to boost your mood, hit up a friend and go check out one of these spots for a good time and an even greater meal.
Super Duper Teriyaki 5/5
I’ve loved teriyaki since I was a kid. Growing up in Seattle, there were always so many teriyaki restaurants to choose from. But not all are equal in quality, and finding the good ones can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.
During my early days in Bellingham, I was disappointed in the teriyaki I was finding. That is until my roommate came home one day with a box from Super Duper. I was taken aback by how massive and delicious the meal was. I had to see for myself if it was as good as it looked.
After trying it, I can confidently say Super Duper humbly serves some of the tastiest teriyaki I have ever had. It has become a go-to spot for my friends and me when we are looking for a big meal.
It’s a quick, 15-minute walk from Western’s south campus at an unassuming four-way stop in the residential neighborhood of Happy Valley. The inside is small with little room for the line of people that is seemingly always out the door. A heaping pot of on-the-house miso soups sits at the counter next to a pile of plastic to-go containers of their famous katsu sauce with a small paper sign that reads “$1.00.” A few bar seats sit in the window to the left and a drink cooler sits to the right. The small space makes it clear that meals are to be taken to go.
My usual order is their house special number three. It comes with a hefty portion of chicken katsu and a smaller corner of chicken teriyaki on a bed of white rice. The house specials are accompanied by an egg roll, two gyoza and your choice of house or macaroni salad, which perfectly tops off the already delicious meal. Their portions are huge, which makes the $15.50 price tag totally worth it. It often takes me two tries to finish off the deliciousness, leaving the leftover morsels for another great meal in the following days.
DaVinci’s Classic Subs 4.5/5
If you are looking for a quick, hearty lunch on your way to cool off in Lake Whatcom on a summer day, this convenience-and-sandwich shop has you covered. It’s located on Electric Avenue right past Whatcom Falls Park and on the way to Bloedel Donovan Park. These two parks are great spots to eat a sandwich and enjoy the water and sunshine.
DaVinci’s isn’t as much a restaurant as it is a corner store with a deli counter, but don’t let this scare you off. Not only do they have a hefty selection of refreshing beverages — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic — but they also have some of the best sub sandwiches in Bellingham.
Their sandwich menu has a wide selection of customizable items including two vegetarian options and several salads for under $10. The sandwiches range in size from a cute, four-inch sub to a two-foot whopper of a sandwich. It is perfect for all and selection just depends on your appetite. Their fries or tots, which come with special house sauce, are only $2.49, making them impossible to say no to.
I usually go for a large number eight, featuring a base of honey ham and turkey breast topped with cheese and toppings of your choice for only $10.99. Although it might sound simple, this isn’t the type of sub you get at Subway. DaVinci’s takes pride in the freshness of its food and bases its business around local suppliers and products, putting them steps above chain sandwich sellers and the dining hall sandwich station.
A veggie burrito and four adobada tacos from Mi Rancho Meat Market. The Mexican market offers delicious $1 tacos. // Photo by Finlay Morrison
Mi Rancho Meat Market 4.5/5
I was first introduced to this authentic Mexican market on the way back from a skiing trip at Mount Baker. After burning all sorts of calories on the slopes, I woke up from a nap to see the brightly lit Mi Rancho sign. It was like seeing heaven. Although it’s a bit farther away from Western’s campus and downtown Bellingham, the trek to the market on Northwest Avenue is well worth it.
The glass counter inside is full of meat, from marinated pork and asada to chicken feet and whole fish. The market has all sorts of goods you don’t find in the average American grocery store, like conchas and tamarind candy. It feels like a little slice of Mexico. Attached to the market is its restaurant, but if you are getting food to-go, one of the friendly workers behind the display case of meats will take your order.
Their $1 tacos, filled with your choice of fresh meat, definitely rejuvenate you after a day of movement. If I’m looking for a good amount of food, I get a chicken burrito. It’s under $10 and comes full of meat, rice and beans, with sides of little green and red salsas to pour on your food. Usually, I ask for a couple of extra salsas. Dousing burritos in the sauce is one of my favorite parts. Often, I don’t have the willpower to save my food until the car ride home is over, sometimes resulting in messy situations with the salsa.