Lunchbox

Sadly. This restaurant has been closed for some time. The property was fine, the location was not. Food was above average lunch fare and Frederick needed another good lunch option.

Sad to see that it closed. It was way too good to be on the end spot of Carroll Creek. I hope it moves to better location.

Interesting concept but very poorly executed.
I’ve been twice but my wife has been several times since our daughter loves the library and loves eating out.
It’s close to the library and the prices are reasonable.
My wife, who is much more forgiving than I am about poor quality and service, has even decided not to go there anymore.
Sandwiches and soups are often bland. Sandwiches frequently either not heated through or overcooked and the bread is far to hard.
Also, it seems odd to heat pre made sandwiches that have greens on them since they come out a soggy and nasty mess.
I was expecting more attention to detail and overall flavor profiles but constantly disappointed.
I really like the idea of a simple menu, easily executed in a simple yet inviting atmosphere.
Sadly, it just consistently misses the mark on everything except the cool and kitschy atmosphere.

We had very high hopes for Lunchbox, but didn’t love it. We’ve enjoyed Volt and loved Range, so we thought this might be a gimme of a concept, but it just wasn’t good enough.
His: Grilled Cheese — Tilamook cheddar, white bread
Hers: Pilgrim — turkey, orange-​cranberry compote on seven-​grain (made custom without the sage cream cheese)
To share: chocolate chip cookies
D found his decent but boring, though he said it was about the right size for the price — $ 4.50. My turkey was nice and tender, but not all that flavorful. The orange-​cranberry was tangy and worked well with the bread. Okay sandwiches, but nothing that’s going to make us drive out to Frederick if we aren’t already there, and not as interesting as some of the other local options.
The cookies were slightly burned and crumbly — too much flour. Nowhere near as good as the amazing cookies at Range.

Tasty, inexpensive, friendly atmosphere. While nothing is amazing, everything is above average. If only they were open for dinner…

Haven’t been to Frederick, Maryland before? Think of a picturesque town with an influx of hip, trendy restaurants — an up-​and-​coming food scene. One of these awesome spots is Bryan Voltaggio’s take on lunch, Lunchbox.
Atmosphere
Located on a scenic man-​made canal running through the heart of Frederick, Lunchbox is your typical weekday sandwich spot. No huge thrills and frills on the interior. There are some actual lunchboxes (get it?) decorating the walls and reclaimed wood here and there. Sandwiches are freshly made in the back and displayed for the picking. The interior is a pretty straightforward ‘step up to the counter and order’ sandwich shop.
Food
The menu is where Lunchbox separates itself from your usual sandwich spot. Lunchbox uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and the kitchen staff in turn churns out gourmet sandwiches and salads.
I ordered the Roast Beef sandwich — watercress, pickled red onion, meunster, green goddess, seven grain. Upon ordering, the staff heats and presses the sandwich in a panini press and a few minutes later, you’re ready to dive in.
The Roast Beef sandwich was delicious. The care put into the sandwich really shone through. From the bread to the roast beef to the cheese, it was evident that all the ingredients were extremely fresh and perfectly assembled. I was especially happy to see that Lunchbox went as far as adding a few grains of course ground salt to the top of the bread, a nice added touch.
These sandwiches aren’t enormous. However, the amount of food is just right for a satisfying lunch and the ingredients are what you’re writing home about anyway. Quality over quantity, people.
Service
Lunchbox is basically a serve yourself type of place. After ordering, sandwiches are quickly heated up and pressed, plated and given to waiting customers. There isn’t much they can screw up and they have the system down pat.
Value
Prices at Lunchbox range from $ 4.50-$ 8 for sandwiches and $ 5-​$ 7 for salads. For the quality of food you’re getting, this is a great deal. I’d order an $ 8 sandwich from here any day of the week.
The Verdict
Lunchbox is a solid lunch spot in Frederick. I visited during the weekend when the place was pretty empty. However, I was told that during the week there’s a guaranteed line out the door as the work crowd invades Lunchbox for some of their delicious gourmet sandwiches and salads. Next time I’m in Frederick I’d definitely head back to Lunchbox to give some of the other sandwiches on their menu a try. If you’re in the area, stop on by and see what Bryan Voltaggio is cooking up.

I was near Fredrick for work and found it to be most appropriate to finally have my first Bryan Voltaggio experience here at Lunchbox.
Location:
I must note that it is rather difficult to find this place using only Google Maps. I asked a stranger and was able to find the place. My advice is to park in the garage near the library and walk outside to Carroll Creek Promenade where Lunchbox is situated. This promenade is quite pretty with lotus blossoms in the creek.
Food:
Please don’t come here expecting the usual high-​end Voltaggio experience; the place is called «Lunchbox» and they serve pre-​made sandwiches that can be toasted to order, soups, salads, cookies, and chips. Although I did not expect fancy schmancy food, I still expected sandwiches being made to order, so I was a bit disappointed. My colleagues and I chose three sandwiches to share (all toasted): pastrami (swiss cheese, bread & butter pickles, aioli, and pastrami on marble rye), ham & cheese (vermont cheddar and black forrest ham on wheat), and roast beef (watercress, pickled red onion, meunster cheese, and green goddess dressing on seven grain). We also ordered tomato soup, chocolate chip-​pecan blondie bars, chocolate chip & oatmeal raisin cookies, and bagged kettle chips to accompany the sandwiches. The ham & cheese was, well, ham & cheese, so nothing to write home about, but the other two were more memorable. I would not order the roast beef toasted in the future — the watercress wilts and lends an awkward texture to the sandwich. The pastrami was the best of the three and what I would recommend to anyone visiting Lunchbox. Instead of chips, I’d also recommend the tomato soup — piping hot, full of flavor, and comes with croutons. I dipped my sandwich squares into this soup and found the combination to be excellent.
If you’re in Fredrick, I see no reason why you shouldn’t try Lunchbox for yourself, especially if you don’t have the time (or the budget) for Volt. Otherwise, no road trip needed unless there are other Fredrick spots to explore.
Note: Bryan’s on this season’s «Top Chef Masters». I love Bravo.

During our vacation we happened upon Frederick and we decided to try Lunchbox. I have been to Bryan Voltaggio’s brother Michael’s sandwich shop Ink Sac several times and had high hopes for Lunchbox.
My husband, daughter, and myself each decided to try a different style of sandwich. I got mom’s meatloaf with tamarind ketchup, gruyère, onion marmalade on ciabatta. It was good, but it was missing a little heat as the sweetness from the tamarind ketchup and the marmalade got a little too much. I would have liked it to be a little more sloppy as it was a little dry.
Our daughter got the grilled cheese with Tilamook cheddar on white bread. This was a perfect grilled cheese and she was very pleased.
My husband Doug tried the pastrami with swiss, bread and butter pickles, aioli on marble rye. He really enjoyed his sandwich and the one bite I got I had wished that this was my choice.
I was disappointed that the sandwiches are all preassembled. They sit in a glass cooler case for all to see, but who knows when these were prepared. They put them on a flat panini style press and they do get a nice crunch from that.
Another disappointment was the staff lacked knowledge of where the bread was made and weren’t familiar that the owner had a restaurant in LA. This got me since they do sell Bryan & Michael’s joint cookbook Volt Ink in the shop.
One more let down was they sell bagged chips and do not make homemade. I guess I have been spoiled by Ink Sac’s incredible homemade crab chips and bbq pork rinds.
I gave the 3 stars based on how the sandwiches were preassembled and the knowledge of the staff. I am not grading on the differences of brother’s restaurants.
Would I return to Lunchbox? Yes I would as I would like to give them another chance to wow me.

Of all the «Volt» restaurants, this is the one that I actually enjoyed the most the very first time that I tried it. It was a sucky, rainy day and I had a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup that was nothing fancy; exactly like it should be. I’ll definitely be back.

We walked in around 2:40 and they close at 3 during the winter (it’s not winter anymore guys, so I don’t know what you’re doing), but they were friendly and we were able to get our sandwiches and still sit inside for a little while. The sandwiches are premade and you can see them at the counter. They put them in a panini press once you order them.
I got the pork shoulder sandwich and the butternut squash soup, which were both really delicious. The pickles and the egg yolk in the sandwich really gave it a nice flavor, and the toasted bread was really good. The soup was SUPER hot when I first got it, but I ate it anyway because I didn’t want the croutons to get soggy and the soup had great flavor.
It’s pricey for a lunch– I spent close to $ 12 without getting a drink. But it’s definitely a step above your average sandwich lunch place (though I do love panera) and is worth a try if you’re in the area.

I was in Frederick for the day, so I went to Lunchbox for lunch, making it my personal Bryan Voltaggio Food Day since the gf and I had dinner reservations for his Table 21 later that evening. If I had only read the Unilocal reviews prior to driving and walking around trying to figure out where it was, I would’ve known that Lunchbox is on the Carroll Creek Promenade and its entrance is not viewable from the road.
After finally finding it and walking into the spartan dining space with an Ikea-​like sensibility, I ordered the Pork Shoulder sandwich ($ 8) made with ham, pickle, gruyère cheese, pickled cabbage, egg yolk, cilantro-​lime tapenade on a toasted baguette.
The baguette was light, airy, and nicely crisped. It was filled with a nice assortment of ingredients, but I didn’t get much of cilantro-​lime notes. For its price, the sandwich was fairly priced and comparable in size to sandwiches you’d find in any deli. It was a very enjoyable sandwich, but in truth, it wasn’t the best sandwich I’ve ever sunk my teeth in. I accompanied my sandwich with a cup of Green Garlic and Potato Vichyssoise ($ 3). The soup was very flavorful and not nearly as garlicky as one might think, which is a good thing if you’re planning on being around people. My one critique is that it was a very small cup for the price.
While it may not have lived up to the hype, Lunchbox lives up to the vision of its chef by providing a quick, casual but well-​conceived and executed meal made from fresh ingredients. I wasn’t expecting it to be a fine dining experience a la Volt, but it did deliver a satisfying meal that mostly delivered good value for the price. Call it 3.75 stars.

I’ve been to Bryan Voltaggio’s Volt, his high-​end restaurant where Irene and I experienced a seven-​course anniversary dinner tasting menu. I’ve also been to Voltaggio’s Family Meal, for which the chef created a menu devoted to comfort food like chicken and biscuits and fried green tomatoes. So I figured it was time I tried out Lunchbox, his attempt at a gourmet sandwich shop.
And since I’d planned to head over to Maryland today for some errands, this seemed like the day for it.
I arrived at exactly 11:30 a.m., right when Lunchbox opened, so I was the first customer of the day. When I entered, I was welcomed enthusiastically, with one of the women behind the counter offering to explain the various sandwiches, since they weren’t your usual Subway grinders. I probably should have let her go ahead, just to see her shtick, but I’d studied the menu at home, and so already had an idea of the sandwiches which most called to me.
The two that seemed the most tempting were «mom’s meatloaf: tamarind ketchup, gruyère, onion marmalade, ciabatta» and the «pork shoulder: ham, pickle, gruyère, pickled cabbage, egg yolk, cilantro-​lime, baguette,» though I must admit the «tcb: nutella, bananas, potato bread» looked tempting as well. (See what I mean about Voltaggio trying to put the «gourmet» in sandwich shop?)
In the end, I went for the pork shoulder sandwich, because – when do I ever pass up a chance for some pork?
It made for an impressive and surprisingly filling sandwich. The ham was tender, the pickled cabbage had a nice bite to it, and the egg yolk helped pull it all together. Good bread, too! (Which bizarrely, considering how important bread is to a sandwich, so many sandwich shops fall short with.)
As for desserts, the three items on the menu are a brownie and either chocolate chip or oatmeal-​raisin cookies. I went for the latter, which came two per paper bag.
They were moist rather than crisp, which is how I prefer them, though I know there are many who prefer those qualities reversed. Definitely made from quality ingredients, so the oatmeal-​raisin at least was a solid cookie.
I’ll be back. And next time, I’ll have to give that meat loaf a try!

3.5 stars
I go up to Frederick about once a quarter for work and on this latest trip stopped at Lunchbox for lunch. I’d love to have had the time to go to Volt, but had to be back in DC for the remainder of my work day. Sigh, someday. I tasked Justin to find me a place to grab a quick lunch and this was his recommendation.
Given all I’ve read about Volt, I expected this to be the best sandwich of my entire life. I thought it would truly encompass the concept of «ballin on a budget» of both time and money. I’m wavering between three and four stars — three for how I felt about my sandwich and four for the concept/​execution. Let’s call it 3.5…but since I have to round one way or the other I guess it’ll be a 3 until I try any of their other offerings.
Bryan Voltaggio’s aim with Lunchbox was to offer an «impeccable, quick and casual lunch» (per the Lunchbox website) and he certainly did just that. Though the women who gave me directions said I’d be able to find this place based on the «line out the door,» just 20 minutes or so after they opened there were just a couple of people in front of me. Not only did the line move swiftly, but the food came out lickety split since all the sandwiches are already put together with bread buttered — they just need to be grilled real quick and brought on out. Not only was that incredibly efficient, but the sandwich still tasted very fresh not pre-​made.
I picked the most expensive sandwich on the menu which was still only $ 8. Considering you can barely get a 6 inch sandwich at a chain place in DC for that much, this is a steal! The pork shoulder sandwich came with ham, pickle, gruyère, pickled cabbage, egg yolk, and cilantro-​lime on a baguette. Just based on the amount and diversity of ingredients, I knew it would either be really good or really… not. It was more the latter. Some bites were decent, but some just weren’t. There was so much in it that not every bite could be home to all of the flavors, plus texturally something was off for me (probably the pickles). The other sandwiches, along with the soups and salads, look promising, so I’m sure I’ll end up back here in three months’ time ready to try something new.
For people not familiar with Frederick, don’t try to find Lunchbox based on the address. I spent a good half hour driving in circles arguing with Chatty Kathy (my GPS) and finally parked and started walking around. Great day to wear heels to work. Walking in circles did no good for my hungry stomach or feet/​knees so I ended up asking some randoms who steered me in the right direction. It’s on the Carrol Creek Promenade, along the river walk. As long as you can find the river, you can find the restaurant, just don’t stay on Carol Creek Way expecting the location to match your map.

Full disclaimer: Although I don’t think it factored into my opinion or experience, I am a Voltaggio fangirl of epic, obscene proportions.
Both sandwiches ordered were toasted moderately and astonishingly filling. Portabella was quite good for a vegetarian option, though the pesto dominated in flavor. I’m typically leery of ciabattas but the density of the halved bread was skewed comfortably towards the crust. Pilgrim struck me as a tastier execution of Jetties’ Nobadeer– a little taste of Thanksgiving year-​round for the worker bee with a hearty amount of protein layered in. Extra yum for the compote, though the turkey would’ve been moist without. Its seven grain slices were definitely the preferable carb vessel, with that hint of fat lightly griddled in.
Reasonably priced lunch and extra friendly service at a greater caliber than the sandwich chains? I’m in. Destination dining? Admittedly not. My only complaints are the lack of self-​bussing options, and the single bathroom. It’s a cute, mod cafeteria space in an industrial-​scenic area along the canal. I’ll be back next time I’m in Frederick around lunchtime, though the visit would probably have to return earlier in the day if they were already out of pork shoulder at 2:30 pm. I’d like to slather those counter guys on my buns with raunch dressing on the side.

Given that I was born and raised in Frederick, I REALLY want to like Bryan Voltaggio’s restaurants. I really do. He’s done a lot for the city. However, after trying Lunchbox on Saturday, I’m still not sold.
We went to Lunchbox with my parents — the soup of the day was gazpacho, perfect for a hot summer day. My parents both got the gazpacho, which my mom followed up with the spinach salad and my dad followed with the pork shoulder sandwich. They both loved the gazpacho — after trying it myself, I can say it was good. It was very salty, but luckily my family likes salt a lot! My mom thought her salad had way too much dressing, but my dad absolutely loved his sandwich (which is basically a cuban sandwich).
My boyfriend got the pastrami sandwich, which he said was ok — he liked the bread, but he was surprised by the fact that there seemed to be sauerkraut in the sandwich even though that wasn’t mentioned on the menu. (He’s not a fan!) I got the grilled cheese with the chicken biscuit soup. The grilled cheese was good — would’ve liked to have tried it with the hot tomato soup, but they said they were actually taking it off of the menu and had the gazpacho instead. The soup I got was VERY salty. Even though I like salt (and have been known to salt ham before), I couldn’t even finish it.
I do really like the concept of Lunchbox — the specialty sodas are great, the free apples are a nice touch, and I love the location and laid back nature of the restaurant (the long wood tables, etc.) — however, we weren’t impressed with the quality of the food.
Next time I’m in town, I’ll probably go to Pizza and Pretzel Creations down the street instead!

For out-​of-​Frederick folks who are not up-​to-​date with the Frederick food scene, this is Bryan Voltaggio’s sandwich shop. Enough said.
If you are in Frederick and want a sandwich, you got few choices:
AKA Friscos (4* Unilocal average)
Panera (4* Unilocal average)
McDs, BK, Subway etc.
So…considering this list, it seems intuitive where an out-​of-​towner would go given the information and freedom of choice. As a matter of fact, unless there are circumstances beyond your control, I cannot see a reason why an out-​of-​towner WOULDN’T go here for a sandwich.
It’s $ 5.5-$ 6 a sandwich, no premium attached for the Voltaggio name, and it’s pretty good.
The sandwiches are toasted and compressed on an Electrolux toaster which makes the bread quite chewy. There seems to be a recent trend of using such «press toasters» by many celebrity chefs (like Rick Bayless’s Tortas Frontera).
As I recall, the ingredients are very fresh and most likely from local sources.
If you factor in just the price and the fresh, local ingredients that lunchbox uses, it’s hard to complain.
I’ve seen tons of reviews expressing disappointment at lunchbox.
Newsflash.
This is not Volt and never will be. You can’t expect $ 100+ meals for $ 6. Tamper your expectations and expect an above average sandwich and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Rating: Slightly less than 4*.

I’m a big fan of Bryan Voltaggio and happy I finally got to come to Lunchbox!
I get what people say about the décor being kind of bare bones. He goes for the cafeteria look (with no trashcans to be found by the way!) Your food comes out on a metal tray that reminds you of elementary school (yet slightly still more upscale) The napkins were inside of a metal lunchbox on the table which was a cute touch.
I got the pork sandwich with chicken soup. The soup was SO GOOD! The pork sandwich was just ok — I wanted more meat! More meat more meat! Also the mojo sauce apparently has cilantro in it but I didn’t taste it at all (which is a good thing because I’m not crazy about cilantro)
I got out of there under $ 10. Definitely want to return and try some of his other creations… grilled cheese… meatloaf… potato soup! Oh my!

So, I was shopping downtown with my friends and we ran into someone who mentioned this new affordable place to get sandwiches down by Carrol Creek. He did not tell us it was a Voltaggio place, because I would have never gone there with the impression that we were about to enjoy a cheap lunch, but we did! Everything was under $ 5! Score.
I had the Pilgrim, basically a turkey sandwich with cream cheese and cranberry sauce. Whatever bread it was on made it even better, there was sunflower seeds on the crust and had great seasoning. It was a debate between getting that or the banana and Nutella sandwich, but luckily my friend ordered it and I stole a few bites. Yum! Yes, I could make it at home, but being able to order something like that (and it being super warm) made it a lot of fun. My other friend ate her portobello mushroom sandwich right up, I did not try that… ew…I don’t eat fungus.
Service was great, the food came out very quick, very warm, and everyone was very nice! The décor left something to be desired, it had a cafeteria feel, but that was what I think they were going for. Especially because of the lack of seating, or spots where you basically share a picnic table with strangers, it’s not a place to eat and linger around. I’ll be back, I look forward to walking down here and grabbing a sandwich to enjoy by the creek!

Monday Group Lunch (MGL) at work. My turn to make the run. New place? gotta give it a try. Gathered up everyone’s orders and headed out. Tried to call ahead, not an option as no one answered the phone. OK…
Walked up to the door and there were people milling around. hmmm??? Asked someone if they were waiting for Lunchbox? He said, yup, just a few more minutes. Perhaps it was the look on my face but he reassured me «It’s worth the wait».
Approx 12 folks before me in line and another several behind me, I figured I would be there awhile. But no, just a few minutes and I was placing the order. Then moved over to the pick-​up counter. Within 10 minutes of walking in the door I was on my way out again. Very nice!
Back to the office and we gathered in a conference room. General consenses — GREAT — will be a part of the regular MGL rotation!
I had a Cuban sandwich w/​a Bibb Lettuce Salad. The ingredients had flavor and textures that are impossible to find in a «sandwich» shop. WOW.
The price? $ 5 for that sandwich? Lovely!

What can I say? I really, really love Lunchbox. I mean, the place has barely been open a week and I’d already been there twice. As far as lunch options go, the best you can usually hope for at most places is two out of three of the following: fast, healthy, or affordable. Unless you’re Lunchbox. Then somehow, you manage to achieve all three — and you achieve them well.
Lunchbox is the newest venture of Frederick native and Top Chef alum Bryan Voltaggio. Its nestled right along Carroll Creek, in the former home of Dolce Vita. It isn’t visible from Market Street, but hopefully that won’t hurt them. In a sea of mediocre, overpriced offerings dotting the creek, Lunchbox is a gem.
Lunchbox’s fare is largely pressed sandwiches, soups, and salads. Voltaggio continues his philosophy of using only fresh, sustainable local ingredients in his food — in fact, many of the ingredients found in Lunchbox’s offerings are the very same used at Volt. Cherry Glen Farms, McCutcheons, and South Mountain Creamery are among the names found on the menu, and if you’re curious about the origin of anything in particular, the super knowledgeable staff are more than happy to let you know — and there is a good chance that it came from within a hundred mile radius of Frederick. Given this philosophy, the menu will change periodically to take advantage of seasonal ingredients — so keep that in mind if there is something you’re itching to try. it might be gone the next time you visit!
The service at Lunchbox is fantastic and lightning fast. You order at the counter (flanked by a basket of free apples!), and have the option for take out or eat in. Takeout orders are packaged in a cute brown cardboard lunchbox, with individual sets of rolled silverware. Eat in orders will be brought out to you on a nifty silver lunch tray. There is ample seating for around 30 people, with several tables that seat 2 – 4 people, and 2 large wooden cafeteria style benches.
Not to forget the most important part of this review. the food. Everything I’ve tried thus far? Amazing. The grilled cheese is perfection — fresh baked challah bread, brushed with a herb butter, and deliciously sharp Vermont cheddar.
The peanut butter and banana sandwich is a dangerous concoction of sweet Hawaiian bread, coated in cinnamon sugar, flanking natural creamy peanut butter and bananas which you can watch them slice fresh at the counter when you order. This sandwich is what dreams are made of, seriously. Substantial enough for a meal, delectable enough to satiate a sweet tooth or a snack craving.
The red onion soup is another winner — a delicious take on french onion soup. The broth has that familiar, comfortable onion flavor, and the soup itself is loaded with slices of onion in every spoonful. You get a heaping portion of toasted gruyère croutons that are delicious enough that I could probably eat them alone. I wouldn’t have minded the addition of sprinkling of gruyère cheese alone in the soup itself, but I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to cheese. don’t mind me.
You can finish off your meal with freshly baked cookies or brownies — you get two giant cookies or a huge brownie or blondie. The chocolate chip cookies have huge chunks of heavenly chocolate in them — chocolate so good that I really, really need to ask where they get it from. The cookies are soft and chewy in the middle, just like they should be.
Oh, and don’t miss out on their selection of sodas. They have a case full of old fashioned soda in glass bottles. There isn’t a lick of corn syrup to be found — every offering is sweetened with cane sugar. From Mexican Coke, to Cheerwine, to Boylan Cream Soda and Birch Beer… just get it okay? You’ll never want to go back to regular soda. Kudos to Bryan Voltaggio for having such damn good taste in beverages.
By the way, not a single item on the menu is over 5 dollars. Yes, you heard me right. Every single item, under five dollars — you can get a sandwich, a cup of soup, and a drink for under 10 bucks. My only gripe? They close at 6:30. Standard for lunch only joints, but I love it so much I can’t help but wish they could be a an option for a quick, simple dinner too.
PS: Please please PLEEEAASE bring chef voltaggio’s proscuitto chips to Lunchbox? I had them at Volt a few months ago, and besides the fact that I’m dying to have them again — they would fit right in here amongst the paninis and soup.