We used Carroll's Kitchen to cater a meeting and it was EXCELLENT! Not only do we love them for their delicious food but even more so for how they're supporting people in our communities. Great non-profit work going on with super food. read more

Such a good place to eat. Counter-service only, which is a plus in my book. DTR has plenty of sit-down places that just add to the cost of what should be a quick, easy lunch. There's seating in the nearby open, nice alleys around back or parks if you don't have a place to take your food back to. The sandwich selection is always changing. There are some staples on the menu, like the roasty toasty (good!), but most days they have something pretty unique. My favorite is when they have the sloppy joe. They always have plenty of vegetable options too, not just salads. They also have other items like soups (try the tomato basil if you're a sandwich dipper), salads, quiche, protein packs (meat + veggies), and a good selection of items to satisfy any sweet craving you may have. If you're there for breakfast, do yourself a service and get a sausage "biscuit". That name is a misnomer as the biscuit is as big as a sandwich, but it is so good and you can put whatever extras you want on it. There's also kolaches (ko-laach-ee/ko-laach-ease) stuffed with all sorts of things that are served breakfast and lunch. You can also build your own breakfast sandwich or bowl. So many options! And you know you're supporting a good cause without feeling like you're paying for it. Enjoy! read more

I keep giving Carroll's Kitchen a shot but every time I regret it. I know they are doing great things for the community but their offerings are slim. If you are someone who has to avoid dairy I suggest going elsewhere. Everything on their sandwich/wrap menu has cheese except for one option. Getting the sandwiches or wraps without cheese is just awful. They revised their menu at the beginning of 2019 and removed so many of their good sandwiches, wraps and kolaches that I'm still devastated. Bring back Square Rabbit! read more

I can't say enough about this place. Admittedly, I was heartbroken when its predecessor, the Square Rabbit, closed. Big, big shoes to fill. Well Carroll's is just fab! The chicken pot pie is scrumptious. The crust! It's flaky like philo dough, and you know they brushed it with egg whites to get that gorgeous shine. That's putting the home in homemade. The kale salad is super flavorful and not just a bowl of aggressive greens, and the chicken salad is real chicken, creamy, and loaded with scallions. Bottom line, this quick takeout food is top shelf. But there's more: this is a nonprofit empowering women with job training to help them transition from homelessness. My heart is as full as my tummy. read more

Carroll's Kitchen - Chicken Pot Pie (the crust is as good as the pie!) - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

On point is the best way to describe this lunch place downtown. I say lunch place, but discovered they also have breakfast items. I have not had the breakfast yet, but will at some point. It's a cute small place with quick take out lunch. I arrived around 12:30 on a Thursday, so potentially behind the main lunch crowd. Regardless, I was in and out within 5 minutes. They carry grilled sandwiches, wraps, soup, and kolaches. I got the pesto chicken, which came as a grilled panini with toasted cheese on top. The toasted cheese really added quite a bit to the panini. I grabbed the mushroom and cheese (I think feta) kolache. I hadn't had this before and it was amazing. A stuffed ball of bread topped with toasted cheese. The panini, a side of pasta, and the kolache all came to around $10, which is an affordable lunch for downtown. I highly recommend this place for a quick bite to go and will be returning. read more

Carroll's is a take-out sandwich shop, toasting pre-made gourmet sandwiches, topping them off with a bit of salad, chips, or other side, and sending you on your merry way. The menu is quite focused, focused on toasted goods and kolaches for breakfast. What's a kolache? It's a mini-stuffed pastry, somewhere between an empanada and a knish. Likewise, lunch is around eight different pre-made sandwiches, salads, and a couple soup choices. The sandwiches are more English-style (ie, higher quality ingredients, fewer ingredients in number, less culinary hoity-toity fuckery). I am a fan of eating these sandwiches standing up just outside because the toasted sandwich gets all steamed if you wait too long to eat it. And I only found out after-the-fact that this is a social entrepreneurial venture, focusing on employing previously homeless women. Well color me impressed. When I first showed up, I noticed that the servers hadn't quite got their rhythm down but were very nice. I chalked it up to the place being brand spanking new and didn't think much about it - until now. I am impressed at how well staff operated. Homelessness is obviously a problem and there are few ways that an individual can do to make meaningful change. A handful of change or perhaps a hot meal will help immediately, but it doesn't change somebody's life. This changes lives. I am a cynic, but even this douche bag brain can figure out that the extra buck I give here makes a difference. Guess where I'm going for lunch today? read more

This place is MAGICAL. I was very bummed when Square Rabbit closed in this same space and vowed never to eat at whatever restaurant replaced it. BUT, as soon as I saw what a wonderful cause Carroll's supported, I couldn't stay away. And, as a bonus, the food is phenomenal. THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Also the kolaches. It doesn't matter if you can't pronounce it right - get one anyway :) Also the avocado toast. And pretty much everything else!! read more

Everyone else has it covered but I wanted to add my 5 stars. I got way too excited seeing all the different types of kolaches and picked 4 ranging from sloppy joe to apple butter and brie, though I could only eat two at a time. The dough is perfect. And the mission of the kitchen is amazing -- everyone who worked there was sweet and super helpful. The tiny space has some great artwork on display. read more

Carroll's Kitchen - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

One of my favorite lunch places in downtown Raleigh. Be prepared for a little line due to the popularity. The service is always extremely fast. They offer a wide range of sandwiches and have tasty soups. While the food is always amazing their mission is enough to make this place one of the best lunch options. read more

I'm updating my review because while the food is delicious it's gotten WAY too expensive. For example, I'm pretty sure when they first opened it was around $9 for a tuna melt, now it's $11. Today I got a simple buffalo chicken wrap with a side...$12! I don't think I'll be coming here much more unless they lower the prices. I've talked to several people at my office and they feel the same say so we've started looking for new places to grab a quick bite. read more

Oh my gosh, I am obsessed with their pesto chicken wrap! Toasted panini style, I've had it several times, and it's always perfect. Wonderful service, and a fabulous cause, I am happy to support them. read more

The turkey avocado sandwich was possibly the best sandwich I've ever had. Great service and for a great cause.

Went to Carroll's for the first time today and was decently impressed. What used to be the Square Rabbit, is now Carroll's Kitchen, a quick take out soup, salad, and sandwich spot. The Italian sub was very good.They use (what seems to be) fresh loafs of bread which they slice for the sandwiches. This place will definitely take business from the other local sandwich places downtown (deservedly so). read more

Carroll's Kitchen - Simple and stylish logo printed on the boxes. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

So glad they brought back breakfast! Had the croissant breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg and cheese and it was really good! Love the kolache options too! read more

Carroll's Kitchen - Bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Great VEGAN OPTIONS! Try their vegan bacon cheeseburger. It's to die for. Love them.

I love the mission behind this restaurant and the food itself is so delicious. They offer a wide range options you can feel good about eating. read more

I've frequented this place too many times since learning about it (a week). Because I'm a creature of habit, I get the same thing every time (if it isn't broke, don't fix it). What do I get? The apple butter Brie kolache and the VEGFIE FOCACCIA! That focaccia is the tastiest thing I've had in a long time and I stay eating somewhere! Listen, you're supporting a great cause and based off the items I've had... everything is good (yes, I'm standing by that although I've only had 2 items). Sure, be skeptical of my assessment...go try for yourself! Everybody wins! read more

Food and counter service is fantastic. This is a great and reasonably priced spot for lunch, highly recommended.

When my daughters and I head Downtown Raleigh there's always mix reviews on where we should have a meal. Often times the sit-down restaurants don't seem kid friendly and the few that are, are always packed with families which is fine if you're a people person which I am not. I had read about Carroll's Kitchen and their efforts to support women working or working women supporting themselves. The bakery is quaint, bright and smells good reminding me of store front bakeries in Brooklyn NY from the 90's. The menu is simple with an array of options and the complementary water is always cold and fresh (can't say that about all restaurant water). The staff is pleasant. Before Carroll's Kitchen I had never heard of a kolache however now it's the one thing my children are gauranteed to eat without complaint. Try the feta and spinach read more

Carroll's Kitchen catered breakfast for a special day at our office. Nicole was so helpful and patient helping me decide on a menu and Theresa delivered it exactly on time, beautifully displayed and warm with everything we needed. My team raved about the food, especially the Avocado Toast! Everything was great. I highly recommend and will definitely use Carroll's Kitchen again. read more

Great spot to pick up lunch. Everything from the bread to applesauce tastes fresh and homemade. The turkey bacon avocado sandwich was good, and the kolaches (filled rolls) are amazing! Even better that the place supports helping homeless women. read more

I visited this place for lunch today after reading reviews on Yelp and having heard about it from my coworkers. The reviews honestly can't do it justice! The staff are so nice and the food was AMAZING! I had the turkey bacon avocado sandwich and was floored. It also comes with a side -- I tried the kale, and I hate kale, but I liked THIS kale! So good! Contrary to some of the older reviews - they do offer bottled drinks here now. I grabbed a La Croix flavored water and it was a perfect lunch. I can't wait to try their breakfast. If you haven't visited them yet, you're missing out! read more

I'm always looking for an excuse to swing by Carroll's Kitchen during the workday. Great food and a great cause. I go for breakfast sandwiches and any sweet kolache. read more

Awesome grab and go in Raleigh! Not a sit down place, but they do have a few stools. The breakfast sausage and egg sandwich was delish! Very, very reasonable prices. You can use the money you saved by generously tipping the great staff. They are all previously homeless women that Carroll's hires with intentionality. What a great deal! read more

Y'all! This place is amazing! I went during their soft opening and I could not believe the quality of the food! I sampled the Ham & Gruyere Sandwich and never knew a ham sandwich could be so flavorful! I ended up ordering the Porkabella, a sandwich with Italian-imported porchetta and portobello mushrooms. It was so flavorful and delicious I devoured it and had one of those, "where'd my sandwich go...oh, I already ate it all" moments! Being a sucker for rice crispy treats I ordered their version with brown butter and it did not disappoint. All in all, I will be back again and again. Not just because it's supporting a great mission here in Raleigh, but also because the food is that good! This place fills such a gap in the downtown food scene with it's affordable, to-go menu. Run, don't walk! read more

Collard wrap was amazing! I am not Vegetarian nor a vegan(both it qualifies for) but was amazed at how great a sandwich. I added a cup of chicken tortilla soup which was flavorful and light. A bowl would be perfect on a cold day with some of their savory stuffed breads. Will definitely frequent and glad to support a great cause as well. read more

Litterally everything is good, and so fast! Perfect for lunch and breakfast. Ham and cheese is to die for. Make sure you get a cookie! Everyone is super friendly and helpful! read more

Stopped in today to get lunch and this place is a great addition to the quick & fast lunch options in downtown Raleigh. I had the Ham & Gruyere sandwich, a fruit salad side and a chocolate chip cookie. All of it was delicious! (and I'm sitting here at work right now wishing I had another cookie) They just opened up recently and I definitely would recommend them! Plus, it's for a great cause and mission. read more

So glad to have them in this prime location downtown! The food was terrific, service phenomenal and you feel good helping a great cause! GO! read more

I am a big fan of this restaurant. Not only does it serve a social mission of helping homeless women gain skills and housing, but the food is just plain good. Plus, you really can't beat the price. You can easily walk out with a good meal for under (if not well under) $10. For downtown lunch time, that's a steal. I'm glad to be working across the street from here - I will be eating many lunches here. read more

Amazing service and great food! Fair warning: this place is addictive! They serve nothing but amazing food and they continue to push for your business by always being amazing! The quiche is phenomenal and the soups are great. They also have pastries that as much as I try to avoid for health reasons, I always seem to grab one! They also stand for a great cause so you can't be too upset about visiting often! read more

Five Stars is referred to as "As good as it gets!" Well then, Welcome to Carroll's Kitchen because this is as good as it gets. Carroll's kitchen is a grab and run breakfast and lunch restaurant on the corner of Wilmington and Martin Streets in downtown Raleigh. Today I stopped in and grabbed the ham and cheese sandwich and WOW it was really, really good. Add the side, drink and a cookie and you have the perfect bag lunch. Everything was fresh and delicious, the employees were the friendliest group of people I have enjoyed in a long time. Here is the best part about Carroll's Kitchen, it is a nonprofit organization that employs homeless women from Raleigh and provides them with job training opportunities. Every penny of my ham and cheese sandwich (did I mention it was great) goes to an awesome cause! By eating at Carroll's you receive the best of all worlds...great food, great people and a great cause. read more

Two for two. I've gone twice now and both times were yummy. Chicken pot pie is very classic. Not fancy or over the top just down right good. Paired with a salad, what a great deal for 8 bucks. And today I got the turkey avocado sandwich. Also tasty. PS- the applesauce is amazing ! Get it. Or maybe get two. Next time I will :) go ! read more

Love this place! This is the best grilled cheese I have ever had - very cheesy but not overly rich or greasy like some grilled cheese can be. It has a combo of cheeses inside and a flavor that reminds me of fondu. The Parmesan crust on the outside is brilliant. The baked goods are amazing and the women who work here are so nice! This is my go-to place when I'm here on business because I can have a great lunch and grab a lovely salad & baked treat for the plane that the other passengers are envious of! read more

I am so thankful that I discovered this place down the street from my office. I had been running in and getting their pre-made salad and it was always excellent, but the last time I went was a cold, rainy and miserable day and I was in the mood for something warm. I got a cup of their cauliflower bisque and the everything bacon kolache. I will admit to being in a bit of a pout because they didn't have their spinach kolache ready yet, but I quickly got over it when I took a bite and saw Jesus. I don't even like bacon that much, but I would walk barefoot over glass to get to Carroll's for that again. As expected, the soup was wonderful as well. Some folks have had issues about the expense of the food, but it does go to a great cause and I honestly don't think it's any more pricey whatever else you might get for lunch in this money pit called Downtown Raleigh and its a lot fresher as well. read more

The food is really good, escpecially for the price. The proceeds go to fight homelesness for women in Raleigh, a really good cause too!

Just stopped in for a good healthy sandwich while running errands downtown. This place was perfect! Fast, fresh, friendly with local and vegetarian options. I got the turkey sandwich special - hearty portion on whole grain with a nice spice. read more

Awesomeness!!! I stopped in this morning and tried a Kolache ( mini stuffed pastry) it was soooooo good I wished I got the 4 pack!! I'll be back !! It's so cool they are helping formerly homeless women. I highly recommend trying it read more

Love this place, great food at a great price with a great mission. The fact that it is a business that is giving back to the community is awesome. Love the sweets, homemade apple sauce, and you must try the grilled cheese it is amazing. Also the tax is included in the price so what you see is what you get. read more

Stop looking for where you're going for lunch today - you've found the place. If I could give this place 6 stars I would. The staff is amazing - so friendly and helpful. And the food. Let's just talk about the food. My first meal from Carroll's was the Turkey sandwhich with a side of kale salad. You guys... so good! The ingredients were fresh, tons of flavor, warm and toasty - it doesn't get any better. I went back today and got their grilled cheese (GRILLED CHEESE, YOU GUYS!) with a side of homemade applesauce - but I didn't stop there. Also got a medium Chicken Velvet soup (think a grown up, flavorful, cozy version of Cream of Chicken soup) which they gave me a sample of and cookies. Phenomenal! Everything tastes good - even the iced tea. Please give this place a chance - I promise you will not be disappointed. It's a great cause, the staff is incredible, THE FOOD is amazing. Go there now! I can't wait to go back again and try everything else on the menu. read more