Garys Market Soul Food

On a temp job I found myself out in the barren wasteland that I'm affectionately calling 'the warehouse district' of Memphis. Ok, so perhaps I exaggerate a tiny bit but working in a building that did not have a microwave required searching for lunch a few days out of the week in that area. I soon realized there where no options other than a few fast food joints. Well, that's what I thought ... until I saw Gary's. From my little box filled office I overheard a few fellows from the warehouse discussing Gary's for lunch. When I had passed the mentioned 'Gary's' on my way into work i had dismissed it as a convenience store 'slash' truck stop? Boy was I wrong. True, Gary's is a convenience store; however it also wears a slew of other interesting unexpected hats as well. It's a brown stone looking building on Getwell road. The parking lot and how you get into the parking lot makes one wish for a four-wheel drive. Don't miss the first turn in as you come from Shelby drive ... it's the only one that will perhaps leave the under-carriage of your car intact.When you walk into Gary's the first convenience store impression does not go away. It is packed ... Seriously packed ... to the gills with stuff.As you walk to your left you notice isles of various things ... Regular grocery items... an isle for Items sold on Bulk.... A small section for produce and Dairy. There is a large cooler/ frozen section for meat... Some non typical. You will find ribs, chicken, decent looking steaks, pork chops, and etc. you will also find pigs feet and other interesting options. There is a deli section in the back with meats and cheeses by the pound. You can also get them to whip ya up a sandwich packed with all ya favorite things.Also along the back of the establishment is a 'hot bar' behind which a few friendly ladies diligently tend; dishing out large helpings of various meat and veggie options for a substantial plate lunch. I hear they do the same for breakfast as well.There is several different meat options fried or baked chicken, meatloaf sometimes, smothered steak, pork chops, fried or baked fish, and etc. The vegetable options are just as numerous and varied. Fried okra, string beans, pinto brand, butter beans, greens, fried okra (have I said that already?), mashed potatoes (real potatoes not powdered like most 'lines' put out in other places), fried okra (not the pre-battered frozen kind you buy but the real battered themselves and fried that afternoon)... Can you tell I have a thing for fried okra, and etc.There is also a dessert or two ... I tried the peach cobbler one visit - pretty tasty.Ive had a plate lunch twice, and though it's not the highest quality food; its like old home cooking (even a little vinegar in the string beans - like granddad used to make). It's pretty darned good. The portions are huge - I can never Finnish everything .... You could quite easily split with someone. The fried catfish fillets are definitely not great ... But passable.There is also a grill in the back ... I haven't really checked out this menu (if there is one) but I have been in line and had folks order hamburgers from the grill and their orders where called back to a fellow working 'said' grill.I read a few previous reviews about the unfriendly service they have received at Gary's. I'm really baffled at this ... I've been in the store several times throughout the past two weeks and everyone is always so very nice and helpful. Everyone -from the ladies behind the serving lines to the fellows on the isles and the folks behind the check-out counter - always smiles, greets, and even chats with me amicably ... No matter how busy they are. There is also a cooler holding store made salads and bowls of store cut fruit. I've had strawberries and watermelon FromThis cooler a few times - always good. The truth of the matter is that I don't think I have even seen half of the options at Gary's, much less sampled them. There is no telling what else is down those cramped isles. There is one thing that Gary's does not have ... A place to sit.Whatever treasures or culinary delights you may find within must be taken to go.To liken the area to a desert may be an exaggeration; to liken Gary's Market to an oasis in the middle of that desert is not.If Gary's was located in any other part of Memphis this could quite possible be a legidamate three star review ... However, it is not. Gary (if indeed that is the owner's name) chose his location well. Amidst a sparse grouping of crappy fast food establishments and convenience store gas stations ... Gary's is truly a gem 'in the rough' or is that 'amidst the rough'... actually I think they both fit.

Great customer service and the food is delicious. Neat and tidy for it to be a truck stop that services the public and patrons who want to buy a home cooked meal.

I love the food I stop by every morning after I get off work from working 12 love the people and the cook she now what I want when she see me coming thur the door love it and will be back

A co worker kept telling me to try this out and boy did i get my $ worth! southern food ... wooweee .. i only finished half of my short rib plate with cabbage and broc cheese. i'm about to bust!It looks like a gas station but its really a deli/southern food place to go to. its pretty good with the different varieties you can choose from. Sew, chicken wings, short ribs, regular ribs, sausages, all diff kind of veggies, etc. Drinks are cheap there too, you can get a 32oz fountain for .99 cents while a can of coke is only .59 cents.You can also shop for your snacks and little things just like how you can at a gas station. I'm so full i don't even know what else to write lol

I've been here a number of times around lunch. The food is pretty good for the most part. Plus the portions are pretty big for the price. Only giving them 4 stars because today my wings were dry and old. 2nd time that's happened.

The food so, good it keep you coming back for more. Great soul food!! The place always crowded, but because the food so, good you will stand in the line for hours until you next. Fresh and hot food!! If you don't know it's your time to visit Gary's Market.The parking space is kinda tight, but overall it's a very good eating place. I really enjoy the soul food and not to mention the breakfast is great!

Really good food should've been ate here what was I thinking the baked chicken is the best very juicy

Everything the food service was great atmosphere was very warmth price of food reasonable time of waiting on food is great food and service

Well for starter the greens were bland with no seasoning. I've never had turkey necks that did not have seasoning as well. If you like food with seasoning then this is the place for you!

Yes and No!! The food was good. The customer service was not so good. Mixed feelings here.