After finding out her father’s assisted living home served him salty meals despite his dietary restrictions, one York County resident and her sister decided to do something to help those who need special meals.
The result is Med Meals 4 You, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant in the Heritage Square Shopping Center in Grafton where customers can find an assortment of gluten-free, tree nut-free, low-salt dining options. There are also vegan options available. The new business opened in January, though recent bouts of winter weather have cut into the store’s hours.
Owner and Chef Patricia Grunow said the new restaurant came together after she graduated from culinary school in 2012 and found the space in Heritage Square Shopping Center near her home. Prior to opening the business, the Mississippi native worked for the York County School Division teaching science and math at York High School.
Grunow said the goal of the new restaurant is to serve people with unique dietary restrictions through a lunch menu, carryout services and catering.
In addition to a regular lunch menu featuring items like curry chicken salad and roadhouse meatloaf, there is another menu that changes weekly. Each iteration of that menu is based off the cuisine of a nation in the area of the Mediterranean Sea. This week’s menu is designed around Greece, including dishes like baked lamb with tomatoes and Greek potato salad.
“When you come [to Med Meals 4 You] you get a full meal,” Grunow said, “you don’t get the deep fried edition.”
She said she spent much time exploring dishes from around the world with her children as they grew up, but the move to preparing food for large groups of people is new. She focused on preparing food for large numbers of people during her time at the Culinary Institute of Virginia in Norfolk.
“I’ve always been one who likes the challenge,” Grunow said. “The opportunity and mission are there, so I jumped in.”
Grunow is currently working toward sourcing her food locally. She is growing herbs, including dill, thyme and basil, in the restaurant’s dining room.
Grunow hired a cook, server and office administrator to help her operate the restaurant. She said she would eventually like to expand the business to offer classes for locals who want to learn how to prepare the style of meals offered by the restaurant.
Med Meals 4 You is located in the Heritage Square Shopping Center at 4336 George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) in Grafton. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for lunch. The menu is available here, while the restaurant’s Facebook page is available here.
