Update 2/11/15: Gross’ Gourmet is now closed.
Recipes don’t lie. And in the case of Gross’ Gourmet, they tell quite a story. Fifty-three years of serving up delicious, home-cooked foods like fried chicken, meatloaf, mac ‘n cheese and German potato salad. It is comfort food at its best, and it’s a Bucks County tradition that Leslie and Andy Bilotta are proud to continue.
If you’ve lived in Bucks for a while you may remember Gross’ small storefront just off Swamp Road, by the car dealerships in Doylestown. Selling mostly fried chicken and sides, the modest store was a great place to pick up a last minute dinner. The chicken was always good—crunchy and flavorful. The business was originally begun by the Gross family in Perkasie, who still sell chicken wholesale to local restaurants. But when the Bilottas bought Gross’ in 2005, they got the recipe book too, filled with original recipes for all of Gross’ favorite dishes.
“I started taking the recipe book home,” explains Leslie, “I’d test and cook, and then bring it to the store for tasting.” In this way, Andy and Leslie have brought back to life so many of the original Gross’ specialties, and more than just chicken. You’ll find pulled pork, barbecued ribs, soups, quiches, stuffed peppers, warm sides and cold salads. Everything is made from scratch and everything is made on the premises.
A new location. Today you’ll find Gross’ Gourmet Foods on South Main Street in Doylestown where the Bilottas moved to 1 ½ years ago. It’s a bright and welcoming place, with big windows and small tables, perfect for sitting and watching the world go by. Leslie, who comes from an architectural design background, created this warmth out of what used to be a veterinarian’s office. “They had covered up the beautiful windows!” she says, pleased with the transformation of the space.
The warmth comes from Leslie too, who is a tireless supporter of local businesses and the Central Bucks community. She is currently organizing a new “district” in Doylestown called SOMA – South Main Street – to bring together businesses on the south end of town, and highlight to the larger community what they have to offer.
Comfort foods and more. Although Gross’ is well known for its warm and hearty foods, they’ve also got a wide selection of lighter fare. Two of their most popular dishes are the chicken salad, and fruit and nut chicken salad. Whether these salads are being eaten as a wrap, sandwich, or on their own, the savory flavors of the chicken and the added sweetness of fruit and nuts are refreshing changes to the everyday lunch. And because Gross’ offers so many fresh and unique ingredients, you can build sandwiches and wraps to your own taste.
The variety of Gross’ menu makes it easy to pick up a quick weekday dinner, organize a business luncheon, or even cater a large party. You can call the store or use their online ordering system (see their website) for delivery or pick-up.
Gross’ Gourmet Foods
266 South Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215.345.1721 (p)
215.345.7763 (f)
www.GrossGourmetFood.com
Facebook: Gross’ Gourmet Foods
Gross’ Gourmet Foods is a proud supporter of the annual Gourmet Getaway: Cuisine for a Cause, now in its 21st year. The event, organized by the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business group, provides scholarships for deserving Bucks County women.
This year, the Gourmet Getaway: Cuisine for a Cause will take place on Thursday, March 27, 5 to 8 pm, at Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road in Ivyland. Twenty-five of Bucks’ finest food caterers, restaurants, bakers, wineries and more will offer delicious samples. Eat lightly the day of the event! There will also be fun raffles, a silent auction and live music.
For tickets ($45 pp) or scholarship applications, contact the Central Bucks Chamber at 215.348.3913 or register online here.
This post is part of a series of articles about local food establishments who will be participating at the Gourmet Getaway: Cuisine for a Cause. Our thanks to all of them for supporting such a great cause.