By Andra Moss

Hungry Norfolk residents looking for a ready-made meal and a scenic drive can find both when heading to Kelly’s Kitchen Take 2 at 320 Colebrook River Road in Colebrook. The cozy take-away spot is a reboot by Kelly and Bob McCarthy of their Winsted eatery, Kelly’s Kitchen, which they closed in 2019.

“We thought it was time to come back, to slow down, to decide for ourselves what we want and to just be part of a community,” says Kelly McCarthy. “We kind of married our modalities here—mine being a holistic practitioner and Bob’s being an amazing chef. Now every single day I get to bring joy to people and hopefully make them feel just a little bit better than when they first came in. And Bob gets to fill their souls with good foods.”

Bob McCarthy, spotted through the windowed door of the commercial kitchen on a recent weekday afternoon, was in constant motion and with good reason. He prepares everything fresh or frozen that is sold at Kelly’s Take 2. Shoppers are offered an impressively large variety of entrees, wraps and sandwiches, pastas, desserts, salads and soups.

The market is additionally stocked with items such as soaps, candles, jams, cheeses, maple syrup and honey that are sourced from local makers and farms. Epic Coffee, roasted in Colebrook, is available by the bag or hot takeaway cupful. Pints of Arethusa Farms ice cream can be found within arm’s reach of a cooler showcasing Bob’s fruit crisps, cheese-cake and pecan pie.

Encouraged by their successful winter opening, the McCarthys have new ideas in the works for warmer weather. Visitors will soon be able to settle into Adirondack chairs alongside a stream that meanders across the property. There is talk of a farmer’s market and outdoor community events. “We want this to be a destination for people,” says Kelly McCarthy, adding, “We’ll just let it grow—organically, naturally.”

Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Kelly’s Kitchen Take 2 is open all other days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays, when they close at 4 p.m.