Camellia Grab-n-Go

New Downtown Eatery to Offer Fresh, Fast & Affordable Take-Out Options

by Morgan Cole

A new eatery is preparing to open its doors in downtown Pensacola bringing fast, fresh and affordable food options specifically prepared for individuals to grab-and-go.

Occupying a historic 1940s-era cottage at 1617 West Garden Street, the Camellia Grab-n-Go will offer an assortment of fresh, southern-inspired deli options fused with worldly flavors—all conveniently packaged to enjoy on-the-go.

“The Camellia menu will feature a variety of convenient hot and cold deli options inspired by flavor and family history,” Camellia Owner Steve Stein said.

Featuring freshly prepared cold salads, sides, spreads and sandwiches, the Camellia will offer a variety of elevated foods and snacks for individuals seeking a tasty take-out option they can enjoy at any destination.

“As a carry-out only restaurant, our goal is to provide service to those on the go, or those seeking destination dining at local places such as Blue Wahoos stadium, Bruce Beach Park, Legion Field, boat trips, Pensacola Beach, Opera al Fresco, Bands on the Beach, Blues on the Bay, Bands on the Bayou or dinner at home with family and friends,” Stein explained.

The menu will boast a variety of higher-end southern-inspired options, including everything from housemade spreads to an assortment of southern sides and artisan sandwiches, all of which will be served on freshly baked baguettes from Craft Bakery.

The Camellia will offer a few cold deli sandwiches, including Stein’s signature Dill Shrimp Salad and Smoked Chicken Salad with pecans and green onion. A few hot deli sandwiches, such as Brisket Burnt Ends and Smoked Chicken, will also be available as regular grab-and-go menu items.

“If sandwiches are not your thing, you can also enjoy our meats and cold salads in bulk,” Stein explained. “Craft baguettes and pita chips will be available for the cold salads and variety of homemade spreads, which include baba ganoush, eggplant and artichoke dip, hummus, egg and green olive dip and a black olive tapenade.”

Regularly available housemade salads will include a balsamic coleslaw (no mayo), Moroccan mint carrot salad, black-eyed pea salad (aka cowboy caviar) and a simple, raw shredded cabbage and carrot mix.

Individuals will also be able to help themselves to an assortment of hot side dishes, such as organic cheese grits, red beans and rice with a Caribbean flavor profile, gumbo ya ya (shrimp, chicken and andouille) as well as an occasional soup or stew special.

The Camellia will have a variety of housemade condiments, including ranch dressing, salsa verde, tomato coulis and barbeque sauces from The Shed BBQ in Pensacola.

“Other small snacks and lite fares, such as cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mixed fruit cups and veggie sticks, will also be available for individuals looking for something a little more simple. Big Jerk Soda will serve as our local soft drink representative, alongside Coke products and iced tea options. Beer and wine for off-site consumption is in the works as well,” Stein said.

Stein’s culinary inspiration and expertise come from the years he spent serving as a cook in different restaurants across the country, places he’s lived, traveled and everything in between. The carefully curated menu reflects an assortment of cuisines and flavors inspired by Stein’s beloved family recipes and dishes from some of his favorite restaurants, including a few from his college days, where he attended pharmacy school at Ole Miss.

Since moving to Pensacola from the high desert of the Oregon/Idaho border in 2018, Stein has served as a cook for a number of local restaurants.

“I am a cook. I cook all the time and love it. Even after a long day of work, I’ll often find myself in my kitchen at home whipping up supper. I have always cooked but really got into it at Ole Miss and out west when I lived in Oregon, where the nearby dining options were extremely limited and homogenous,” Stein said.

Stein’s goal is to offer fresh, fast and affordable foods that are not only perfect for meals and snacks, but also for entertaining. Each of the freshly prepared menu items will be packaged and stored in a set of large refrigerator-coolers inside the restaurant, providing a quick and tasty alternative to other take out options in the area.

“Our main goal is to get you in and out as fast as possible so you can get on with your work or good times. I would describe the Camellia as a cross between an elevated bodega deli and a brick and mortar food truck with a grocery food counter,” Stein explained. “We will have most items already prepared for you to grab, then go; however, there will also be a few specialty or modified preparations (i.e. gluten free) available for short order or advanced ordering online, so you won’t have to wait around. It’s a small place, so our goal is to keep everyone moving.”

Aside from online ordering, which Stein highly recommends, the Camellia will also provide the option for curbside pick-ups.

Whether you’re looking for something tasty for a picnic in the park or something to stock the cooler for a day out on the boat, the Camellia serves as the perfect pit stop for elevated snacks, sandwiches and salads that you can easily graband-go to enjoy at the destination of your choice.

The Camellia grab-n-go is expected to officially open by mid-August, and will be open seven days a week from 11 am to 7 pm.

For updates, sneak peeks at featured menu items and more, follow Camellia Grab-n-Go on Facebook and check out @camelliagrabngo on Instagram.