Here’s a taste of grab-and-go food at Dix Park’s Gipson Play Plaza market
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Dix Park's new market offers budget-friendly grab-and-go picnic options daily.
- Patrons can purchase local snacks, sandwiches and drinks under a $25 budget.
- The House of Many Porches aims to enhance park visits with quick, local fare.
A picnic in a park is always a treat, and a new addition at Dorothea Dix Park is completely elevating the experience.
It’s been one month since the historic House of Many Porches’ debut as an “elevated grab-and-go market” next to Gipson Play Plaza.
What was once an old Victorian cottage on the grounds of the former hospital campus is now a popular pit stop for those exploring one of Raleigh’s largest parks.
Whether you’re just stopping in for a quick snack or want to have a full feast, it’s easy to lose track of time sifting through the sweet and savory snacks, sandwiches, coffee, beer, wine and pastries, including many made right here in the Triangle.
“We hand select all the products, focusing on local vendors and quality products to provide a variety of options to serve a number of customers each day,” Lindsay Mazuchowski, general manager of the market, told The News & Observer.
“The mission of the market is [to be] a grab-and-go market so guests can come and enjoy the park and the space…so they can grab some items and they can have a picnic or they can have a snack and refuel for more play.”
What to buy on a budget
In both the market side and the coffee shop-style side, you can fill up a basket with a lot of items on a budget.
When stopping by for a solo stroll through the park, here is everything I was able to get on a $25 budget:
Turkey and cheese sandwich: $5
Carolina Kettle salt and balsamic vinegar chips: $2.50
Carolina Popcorn Shoppe Raleigh Mix popcorn (white & yellow cheddar with caramel): $2.95
Fratelli’s Delicatessen pasta salad made with onions, black olives and peppers: $4.50
A Groovy Duck Bakery Wicked Bar that has a chocolate chip cookie base and crushed Oreos topped with a chocolate chip brownie: $4.50
One Dasani bottled water: $1.95
In total, I spent $21.40 before tax and tip.
The House of Many Porches Market is open every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September and then from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from October through April with porch seating and a garden patio.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Here’s a taste of grab-and-go food at Dix Park’s Gipson Play Plaza market."
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