November 15: Pioneer Square Market and Deli

[Closed: May 31, 2018]

After 2½ months of writing this blog, I'd managed to only gain three pounds. Then, this last weekend, I took a five-day trip to a wedding in Houston, and gained four more. I had so much Mexican food -- from Taco Cabana to Torchy's to Mamacita's, I think that was just four pounds of tortilla. Plus fancy food from Maggiano's and not-so-fancy food from Denny's and IHOP. That nearly did me in.

So, yeah, it's good to be back. This morning, I think to myself that I need to eat something healthy. Probably gonna go to Sprout today.

Then reality hits, and I've got a week's worth of work to catch up on. I need something quick, close, and I just don't feel like salad.

The Pioneer Square Market and Deli in on my daily path to and from the train. I've been saving it for a day like today, when I'm in a hurry and don't feel like food trucking. From the outside, it looks like it might be a somewhat grungy bodega with a kitchen attached. Inside, however, the single aisle of snacks and drinks seems like an afterthought. Fresh wooden floors and airy bright space remind me -- in a good way -- of the new Bartells a few blocks up the street.

There's nobody in line and just a few people sitting at the tables. I order the chicken strips and fries, and the friendly guy behind the counter reminds me that a can of soda is included and points me to the cooler. I grab a seat, and a few minutes later, they call out "number 29". In a nice bit of customer service, they already have the tray to my table before I'm even able to leave my chair.

The chicken strips at first are a little disappointing. They're small, malformed, and just don't look right. I'm expecting them to look like the ones you get from a gas station case or, if I'm lucky, at Red Robin or The Ram. These look more like some chicken/funnel cake mutation.

Eating them, though, they're quite good. Unlike the normal breading, they use a tempura batter. Strange, but tasty. There's a tiny bit too much moisture in the chicken, so the breading slipped off of one piece as I was eating it, but it was still tasty. The fries are thick-cut and cooked perfectly.

A dipping cup of ranch sauce is included. I probably could have asked for ketchup or tartar sauce, but didn't bother -- I was in a hurry to get back to work, and did: 25 minutes desk-to-desk.

The menu is extensive. The prices are cheap. If you're looking for good food for very little money, the Pioneer Square Market and Deli is the place for you. But healthy? Maybe I'll do healthy tomorrow.

Pioneer Square Market and Deli
322 2nd Avenue S.
Chicken strips, fries, can of diet Dr. Pepper, $7.66