Walking into Quitsa Kitchen is like entering a friend’s living room. In fact, chef/owner Theresa Manning had her friend Scott Mullin of Studio Scott Mullin in Vineyard Haven design the interior space (the former Life at Humphreys bakery) to be a comfortable and welcoming place to linger.

Drawing from her many years as a caterer, Theresa offers an array of made-from-scratch breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Theresa wanted the menu to be unique but accessible, and it is just that: classic comfort food with a modern twist. In the morning, the pastry case is filled with fluffy scones, light-as-air muffins and an array of cookies from baker Amy Miller, and you can also sit down for a made-to-order breakfast or lunch. All day long, you can nab salads and sandwiches from the “grab and go” fridge. Better still, you can also pick up dinner: entrées like lasagna and chicken curry with rice are also available to go. And Theresa is committed to having something for everyone: the fridge always has meat, vegetarian, gluten-free, and Alpha-gal friendly options. (Check the Quitsa Kitchen Instagram page for daily specials.)

Stop in for breakfast on the way to an early boat, grab a picnic on the way to the beach or get a delicious weeknight dinner for the family. And linger if you want to: meet a friend and settle into a cozy chair or window seat, have a meeting or sit at the communal table. There are ample outlets for charging devices and free Wi-Fi. Between the friendly vibe and the fresh, flavorful food, Quitsa Kitchen is poised to be a go-to for locals and visitors all year long.

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Quitsa Kitchen

455 State Road, Vineyard Haven

508-338-7787

Open seven days: Grab-and-go, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; breakfast served 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Online ordering available

quitsacuisine.com

@quitsakitchen_mv

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Our Five Favorites

1) The Morning Stack ($10)

Quitsa Kitchen baker Amy Miller is baking up some of the fluffiest biscuits on the Island, and they only get better when transformed into a breakfast sandwich. The “Stack” comes with two eggs and cheese (add bacon, ham, sausage, onion, spinach, or tomato if you like) and will hold you until dinner. This is one of the best breakfast deals around — just be sure to grab extra napkins.

2) Blue Corn Waffle Plate ($14)

This has become my official Sunday morning breakfast, offering the perfect play on spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. A crispy yet tender blue corn waffle (gluten-free) comes with a savory house-made sausage patty, two eggs, and a side of spicy hot maple syrup.

3) Burrata Fritta ($14; $18 with prosciutto)

This sandwich proves that just a few perfect ingredients can create one unforgettable flavor. A piece of lightly fried burrata is layered on focaccia and topped with fresh arugula. The house-made tomato jam spread on top brings it to the next level. You can pick up a jar of that to go from the refrigerated case.

4) Scallion Bun ($14)

If you love Asian dumplings and breakfast sandwiches, get ready for this umami breakfast bomb: a soft, scallion-flecked bun slathered with sweet chili sauce encloses a pork dumpling-style patty topped with a soy and ginger glaze and a fried egg.

5) Chicken Enchiladas ($38, takeout only)

As a California native, I’m generally skeptical of Mexican food on the East Coast. But Quitsa Kitchen’s version of this classic Mexican dish is satisfying on every level. Generous amounts of juicy shredded chicken are rolled in corn tortillas and covered with a mild red enchilada sauce and topped with shredded cheese. Grab it from the to-go fridge when you see it; add a salad and you’ve got a fabulous weeknight meal in 20 minutes. One container feeds three to four adults.

Laura Holmes Hadded is a former cookbook editor, frequent contributor to The Vine, and creator of the Substack newsletter, lovely & delightful.

All photos by Ray Ewing.