Lunch Review: Mayberry

With Mayberry adopting their new lunch menu choices and with the opening of Mayberry Foodstuffs, I figured now was as good a time as any to make another visit. I think I'm the only one in the world who hasn't been blown away by the Mayberry restaurant since it's opened. I've been there twice before for lunch and though it was definitely not bad, I just wasn't wowed. I haven't visited for brunch or dinner, though, so I can't speak to that.

I have no idea why the dishes I've tried haven't been a big hit with me. Everything about their ginormous burger sounds delicious (and it sure as heck looked delicious), but it just didn't do it for me. Same with the grilled cheese. Sure: both of them were good; just not as good as the sum of fresh, amazing ingredients would indicate. I think this is a classic case of "it's not you -- it's me". Enough people looove Mayberry that it makes me skeptical of my own taste buds.

For this reason, and because Chef Josh is so awesome, I decided to keep at it until I found something I really liked. With the new menu change, I figured now is as good a chance as any.

I walked over on a snowy day, and because the office was pretty empty, I had to get my order to go to hold down the fort. I was really torn between the Jive Turkey, which is a pressed sandwich with thick slices of turkey; apricot mustard; havarti; greens and pickled onion, and the Humdinger, a potato stuffed with pot roast and root veggies (covered with cheddar and gravy, of course). After going back and forth, I decided on the Jive Turkey and waited on my order.

My order came up and I headed back to my office. I opened up my box to see what my prey would be for lunch, and here's what I was delighted to find:

I realize my phone's camera doesn't do this sandwich justice, but the perfect press marks on the crusty bread, the creaminess of the havarti, the tenderness of the thick cuts of turkey, and the slight tartness of the pickled onions all came together perfectly. This sandwich is a great concept and it was put together almost perfectly. It was actually this delicious:

If I could make a tiny suggestion or two, they would be (1) let the onions pickle just a little bit longer and (2) pleeeeeease let us sub in other sides for the greens. While the greens are fine, they don't bring anything to the table (especially when comparing them to the tremendous tater tot casserole).

I have to say, this meal has really changed how I view Mayberry. I will most definitely be back for the Humdinger, and I am greatly looking forward to it. 

(Also, as an aside, if you haven't been over to Mayberry Foodstuffs, get over there! They have pretty much everything you could think of, from wine and craft beers; to fresh-ground peanut butter; to bulk olive oil; to, well, you get the point. I got some beer and wine from them today and greatly look forward to their selection in the future. Thanks and welcome to the neighborhood!)