Our area has seen an influx of healthy, fresh, grab-and-go options lately. There’s Farmette in New Buffalo, with fresh bread, salads, soups, cheese and other refrigerated items. The Standard, a gift shop in Michigan City, has started making fresh-made Italian subs. And then there’s Angela’s Provisions, which opened in late July in New Buffalo, taking over the former ice cream shop next to Stray Dog.

I stopped by as they were closing on a recent Friday, but the friendly co-owner, Kevin Metz, beckoned me in.

The shop, open Tuesday through Saturday 8-11:30 AM EST for breakfast and 11:30 AM to 2:30PM EST for lunch, offers freshly made sandwiches, salads and soups with an emphasis on Italian fare (Metz’s Calabrian grandmother is the Angela the shop is named after), such as Italian wedding soup, Italian beef and subs (Genoa salami, spicy capicola, mortadella, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, baby arugula, marinated tomatoes, and oils on a sub roll), Tuscan white bean salad.

There are also deli classics both hot and cold—pastrami, brisket chili, a Chicago-style dog, a roast beef sandwich. Or go for The Angela—thinly shaved ham and mortadella toasted with Havarti, topped with diced green peppers, onions, tomatoes on a sub roll; or a quinoa salad.

Breakfast includes a gruyere and leek tart, bacon and cheddar croissant, and egg bites, among other items.

Prices are just a bit higher than you’d pay for fast food (and worth it). There’s also a $15 boxed lunch deal.

Co-owner John Benz is the food guy in the operation. He has been a chef in Chicago and most recently worked as a sales rep in the food service industry. He pointed out how not hard it was to make food taste better—like squeezing fresh lemon into mayonnaise.

Metz, who was in marketing in Chicago before moving to New Buffalo full time during the pandemic, says Angela’s won’t close during the winter season. He’s hoping to attract locals as well as visitors with an expanded section of grocery and takeaway items such as soup.

“We are excited to bring a gourmet, grab-and-go concept to the area where residents and visitors can all stop by for a delicious breakfast or lunch on the go,” Metz says. ‘Our gourmet market continues to expand with a wide variety of cheeses, snacks, treats and beverages, in addition to curated gifts to bring back home, or grab those last minute items for a birthday, housewarming or dinner party gift.”  

Parking is a challenge in this part of town, especially in season when Stray Dog opens, but Angela’s will soon offer an order-ahead feature so you can grab food on the run.

Angela’s Provisions, 225 North Whittaker Street, New Buffalo, 269-231-5122.