SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT COMMUNITY TABLE BISTRO

At the media preview for Goodwill's new Community Table Bistro, visitors were given jars of strawberry jam that said "spread the word." The bistro opens June 23.

Having access to healthy meals that are delicious and affordable is a wonderful thing. That idea is a main ingredient in Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont's new Community Table Bistro. It's scheduled to open June 23 at Goodwill's Opportunity Campus at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard. 

Andrew King, the new director of food service, is one of Charlotte's most beloved former caterers who has a plate full of business experience including the famous High Cotton Catering. His goal is to create a menu and atmosphere that will lure people from all over Charlotte while also giving the west side neighbors an option for healthy, low-priced meals.

"Almost everything is made from scratch and the most expensive thing on the menu is $7.99," King said during a recent media preview. The bistro will be open for breakfast and lunch weekdays only from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Among the signature breakfast items are the Morning Burrito (a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled egg, grated pepper jack cheese, and fresh housemade salsa), a Breakfast Salad with Coffee Vinaigrette (spinach, romaine or small local lettuces , red onion, oven roasted tomatoes, fried egg and candied bacon) and Grilled Banana & French Toast Panini.

A variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and sides are on the menu at lunch along with daily specials. The specials are Chicken & Dumplings (Monday), Pulled Pork BBQ (Tuesday), Asian Salmon Patties (Wednesday), Baked Chicken & Dressing (Thursday) and Chicken Pot Pie (Friday). And three desserts will be offered daily. 

The cherry on top of all this is that the bistro will also provide restaurant services training for those helped by Goodwill.