Cordelia’s Market earns high marks

Cordelia’s Market earns high marks

Location: 737 Harbor Bend Road, Memphis Rating: 5 Pows!

When I’m not in the mood for a burger for lunch, I’m always up for a good sandwich. Even better if I can find a nice hot cup of soup to go along with it on these damp and cold winter days.

This week’s lunch excursion took me to Cordelia’s Market in Harbortown where I met up with “Riddler” and “Joker.”

I have been to Cordelia’s Market before, but it had been quite I while since I had been back. I knew they had a good selection of sandwiches and was looking forward to lunch.

The great part about Cordelia’s Market — aside from the fact that it is in Harbortown, which is always a nice experience in itself because it doesn’t feel like you are in Memphis — is that it is a quick drive from both Marion and West Memphis.

Cordelia’s is located inside what I would describe as a small version of a whole foods market, you know, a frou frou market with higher prices grocery products for picky millennials who actually read the labels.

The deli section, where the sandwich counter is located, is separate and has a nice sit down area where you can order soup and sandwiches and coffee and just enjoy a nice leisurely lunch.

I was going to order the old fashioned Reuben but that villain the “Riddler” decided that’s what he wanted order. So, since this is a restaurant review, I wanted to try something else to evaluate.

“Joker” ordered a bowl of chili, but said he usually orders the “Valerie’s Kicker” sandwich ($9) and I talked myself into trying it. “Valerie’s Kicker” had grilled chicken, Cajun turkey, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, Jalapeno and Mayo on Italian Loaf bread.

The chicken breast was grilled to perfection and between the Cajun turkey and the Jalapenos, it definitely had a “kick” like the name suggests. I also ordered a bag of Zapp’s Voodoo potato chips along with my sandwich. It was plenty of filling to keep a busy crime fighter fed.

The “Joker’s” bowl of chili ($7) was huge and had lots of meat chunks and beans in it prompting him to comment “This is really good. It’s divine if you arrive on time, but if you are late, you will have an empty plate.” He said that the chili was very meaty and spicy, but not overly spicy.

“Riddler” went with the Reuben ($9), which came with a nice heaping of corn beef (thinly sliced and lean), sauerkraut, spicy mustard, Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss cheese on a marbled rye bread. But unlike other Reuben sandwiches, “Riddler” was pleasantly surprised that it also came with butter pickles. “I’ve never had one with pickles before,” the surprised super villain said.

“It’s a nice addition.” “Riddler” also ordered a bag of Miss Vickie’s Sea Salt potato chips to go along with the sandwich.

According to “Riddler,” the butter pickles were slightly sweet with a tang that added a new twist to the traditional Reuben sandwich. “If you go to Cordelia’s and don’t get the Reuben, the joke is on you,” he said.

“Riddler” and I also added a cup of soup to go along with our sandwiches. “Riddler” went with the Chili ($4) and I decided to give the chicken tortilla soup ($4) a try. “Riddler” agreed with his partner in crime that the chili was plenty meaty with a slight spice to it. The chicken tortilla soup was loaded with chicken and had corn, beans, and carrots in the mix. I thought it was spicy, but not burn your mouth spicy.

My dining partners agreed that Cordelia’s Market is definitely worth the visit.

The bill came to $38.25 for three people. The sandwiches are made fresh and the prices are right in line with what you are going to pay for a sandwich at any other restaurant. The drinks and the chips are extra, but it’s still reasonable.

I noticed that they also had a beer tasting station where you can sample a few craft beers on tap or fill up a growler to go. So that may be an added feature for those who might want to grab a beer over lunch.

Overall, “Cordelia’s Market” is an excellent choice for lunch. You really can’t beat the atmosphere either.

Harbortown is a great place to people watch and as the “Joker” noted, “This is the kind of place that if I had guests from out of town or a local just looking for a good sandwich in a great atmosphere, this is where I would come.”

Oh, and you might find yourself grabbing a cookie on the way out inside the market, which does have a great selection of food items.

“Cordelia’s Market” earns a solid FIVE POWs from the Dining Duo (and friends).