Garnett’s

It was another brutally hot Richmond day when I slipped inside Garnett’s, a small sandwich shop in a particularly adorable part of The Fan.

The space is so kitschy, with old thrifted art, photos, and plates decorating the walls. There’s just about every sandwich you could want on the menu, hot melts, cold slices, and several vegetarian options. Still decompressing from the suffocating heat, I ordered an Arnold Palmer. Theirs is made with homemade mint syrup and is very refreshing. I already knew what I was going to order. The Scuffletown Chicken Salad Sandwich. This is, by far, THE BEST chicken salad sandwich I have ever had. No chicken salad has ever come close. It has the perfect ratio of mayo to chicken, not too dry and not too wet, and it is flavorful while many chicken salads risk tasting bland. The toasted ciabatta is perfectly fluffy and everything is served with a choice of sides. I opted for potato chips, which are excellent kettle-cooked chips.

Other great options are The Dutch Aunt (gouda cheese, bacon, tomato, and caramelized onion grilled on rye), The German (Black Forest ham, cheddar, apple butter, and dijon on toasted wheat), and The Haberdasher (smoked salmon, Benedictine spread, pickled cucumber, and tomato on toasted rye). The Benedictine spread is reason alone to get The Haberdasher. It’s a creamy, herby spread made from cucumbers and cream cheese.

Garnett’s is known for their desserts as well. You’ll see their offerings on display at the bar. There’s always a Gluten Free cake option, and cake flavors switch from day to day. I got a slice of strawberry-almond cake. Despite the hype, I’m not crazy about the cake at Garnett’s. I think it goes down to personal preference, rather than the quality of the dessert. Their cakes tend to be more dense, with lighter, creamier frosting. I prefer lighter cakes with rich, thick frosting. Next time I go there, I think I’ll give their banana pudding or pie a try!

This is the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon lunch or a casual dinner date. Plus, you can rent out one of their vintage wicker picnic baskets and enjoy a lovely lunch at the park or by the river
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