It may sound like an oxymoron, but there is such a thing as a gourmet gas station, and there is one right here in Charlottesville. I stopped by The Market at Bellair on my way back to a summer class on Grounds at the suggestion of a friend, and I will admit that I was a bit skeptical when I pulled into the parking lot past the gas pumps. But as soon as I stepped inside, I could immediately tell this place offered a lot more than just gasoline and beef jerky — it is the type of place that turns an unsuspecting sandwich into a new lunchtime favorite.
Generally, location is one of the keys to any successful restaurant. Over two miles away from central Grounds, The Market proves to be an exception to the rule. The Market opened its flagship location in 1991, secluded on Ivy Road over by the Boar’s Head Resort. It’s too far to walk from Grounds — and the same goes for their locations on 5th Street or Preston. However, it is well worth the 10-minute drive.
These sandwiches are the perfect option for when the Corner’s lunch offerings grow repetitive. Due to its distance from Grounds, The Market might not make for a grab-and-go spot, but it is a delicious oasis for any weekend morning.
Owned by Tiger Fuel Company, The Market’s mission is to provide customers with smiles and gourmet sandwiches inside of “well-operated and sparkling clean stores.” That is exactly what I encountered on my visit. On a Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., The Market was hopping with locals and students on Grounds for the summer, radiating a speakeasy-esque vibe — a cheerful club of insiders, sharing the tacit acknowledgement that we were all in the know about this hidden gem.
Once you step inside, you are immediately greeted by the scent of freshly-baked bread. Shelves are lined with chips, beer, wine and soda, adding a casual deli element to the space. The interior — floors, tables and chairs — are all made of wood, creating a clean and light atmosphere. However, with only four or so high tops, there is not much seating inside, so definitely plan on bringing the food home.
The foundation of any great sandwich is great bread, and The Market bakes theirs fresh daily. Their French bread, a soft and fluffy interior encased by a crusty golden-brown shell, is the perfect vessel for the generous helpings of meat, cheese and aioli that is coming your way.
The two signature sandwiches I tried were both excellent, and they were reasonably priced between $8 and $10. Patrons also have the option to customize their own creation. I started with the Farmington, a sandwich stacked with smoked turkey, Havarti, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato, herb mayo and, of course, extra crispy bacon. This sandwich is the epitome of a simple sub that has been perfected, each ingredient making a delicious contribution to the sandwich’s flavor profile. The creaminess of the Havarti balanced the smokiness of the turkey, and the coleslaw and aioli provided some moisture on the fresh bread.
A friend of mine ordered the Smokin’, a sandwich with smoked turkey, smoked gouda, lettuce, tomato, chipotle mayo and bacon. Although the bite I took did not quite equal the Farmington, the turkey, gouda and chipotle mayo complement each other nicely, making each bite pop with fire-roasted flavor.
While I didn’t sample any of their salads, the ones I saw being prepared — the Chef and the Cobb — looked large and delicious, loaded with fresh, local produce. Besides the sandwiches and salads, The Market at Bellair also offers fresh-baked cookies and brownies, which are delivered warm and soft.
Ordering our food at The Market was seamless. We were able to customize our items on a large touchscreen tablet, and we received a ticket to pay for our food. However, patrons should expect to wait for their items to be ready. In fact, my biggest, and only, gripe with the whole dining experience was that it took over 15 minutes to get our sandwiches. Therefore, I would strongly recommend ordering ahead through their website or Elevate.
The Market proves that it is possible to get an excellent sandwich at the same place where you fill your tank. With a minuscule parking lot and several gas pumps outside, I will admit that I might have initially judged this book by its cover. Nevertheless, The Market exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere was lively, the staff was friendly and the food was delicious.
The Market at Bellair isn’t just a pit-stop, it's a gastronomic experience I’m already eager to repeat.
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