The Cafe At Central Market

This is located inside of Central Market. It's basically a take out sandwich shop, near the prepared food section. You choose your bread, protein, toppings, cheese, etc. They assemble it and away you go. Quality is always high, but the sandwiches are not inexpensive. Last week I paid $12 which is much higher than I would normally pay at a sandwich place. Nonetheless, it is CM so you know what you are getting.

You know those days when you're on the run from the time you wake up until the time you finally call it quits and go to bed? Yeah, it was one of those days and all I needed was a quick, satisfying, somewhat healthy lunch. Unfortunately, I wasn't that impressed. I stared at the menu blankly before choosing the half veggie panini and caesar salad. Being in a hurry, I ordered it to go and assumed it would only take a few minutes to prepare. Ten minutes later, everyone around me waiting for to go orders had already left (including those who had ordered after me) and I was alone, hungry and hurried. I noticed my half sandwich pop out of the window, but no salad. It sat alone on the counter for a few minutes before someone noticed it, asked for the salad and bagged it up. So much for a quick lunch. As for the caesar salad delicious. I loved the dressing. The sandwich wasn't so awesome. The veggies were too thick and covered in an oily marinade; combined it led to everything squishing out the sides and I ended up deconstructing the whole thing to eat with a fork and knife. I think there's room for improvement in several hours. Fortunately, they offer plenty of ready items to grab from the refrigerated deli area next time I'll just grab a pre made lunch.

Sadly, this concept has gone from okay to awful over the course of the last few years. When it first opened, it was a great place to grab a quick meal either after work or before grocery shopping. They had a varied menu of salads and sandwiches and interesting daily specials. Today, it is a sandwich and pre-cooked pasta bar. Everything (including fries) are served in disposable plastic bowls, and nothing is good. Such a shame.

The best thing about this? Wifey and I eat here, before buying groceries. Trust me, shopping at CM hungry is dangerous. Shopping at CM on a full stomach SAVES YOU MONEY. Literally DOZENS of dollars! You like dozens of dollars. Try it. Eat here first next time you have to hit CM.

I love coming to this Central Market location with the kids on the weekends to get our weekly treats. Which are Gelatos for the kids, and wife and coffee for me! Note: I do love shopping here too...they do have the better, and wider selection of products compared to the Plano location off of Coit.