REVIEW: Delish Express
The West Vegetarian Wrap | Photo by Stacey Angel
By Brooke A. Brown
Dick Clark tells me it’s a new year, so let’s kick things off with a new review of one of Charleston’s newer restaurants. I’ve been meaning to get over to Delish Express for quite some time now, but each attempt wound up with me at a table across the street at the nearby Bluegrass Kitchen. What can I say? If I were TV’s Jerry Seinfeld, Bluegrass would be my Monk’s Diner.
Anyway, getting back to the review at hand, I finally made it to Delish Express over the holidays for a little look-see at what they’ve got going on. Joining me on the excursion was my Lovely Miss S, of course, and her mother, Mary. The first thing that struck me pulling into the lot was the parking meters. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason why they’re there, but it was a drag thinking they had free parking in their lot only to discover differently.
Upon entering the restaurant, I instantly recognized it as a Virgil Sadorra endeavor due to the use of bold colors, local artwork and feng shui a la his other local eatery, Cilantro’s. One thing that needs to be made clear before we go any further, Delish Express is not a smaller version of the original Delish. You’ll find no Satay Samplers or Ramen Noodle dishes, so consider yourself prepared.
What you will find, however, are wide varieties of creative sandwiches, wraps and soups. I opted for the ‘Jerry’ – a roast beef sandwich on a ciabatta roll with horseradish sauce, caramelized onions and dill pickles – and a bowl of Chicken & Dumpling Soup. Miss S ordered the ‘Lee’ – a fairly traditional turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread – and a bowl of chili. My mother-in-law went for the ‘West Vegetarian’ – a healthy veggie wrap, not to mention a nice play on words.
My sandwich was quite good. The roast beef was exceptionally lean and tender, even though it was cut thicker than most deli-sliced meats. I would have liked more than a mere smattering of caramelized onions, and the horseradish sauce could have had more of a kick. But the addition of the pickles was a welcome surprise and added a nice sour tartness to balance out the sweetness of the onions. The Chicken and Dumpling Soup is really not worth mentioning as it contained very little chicken or dumplings. It’s also a safe bet that the soup was not homemade, at least not completely. Frozen carrots taste nothing like their fresh counterparts.
Miss S enjoyed her sandwich, as well, but had much more success than I with her choice of soup. She raved about the red bean chili and heightened her enjoyment of it by adding some crumbled pita chips. Mother Mary was able to enjoy her veggie wrap once Miss S and I stopped fiddling with it, trying to capture the perfect photo (see top of page). The veggies were fresh, crisp and plentiful.
The menu supposedly changes semi-regularly, but the ability to create your own sandwich or wrap is a constant. Simply fill out a form, selecting your desired flavors, and they’ll create your very own custom sandwich. As a matter of fact, you can download said form right here.
Although the food was good, and I absolutely admire what Virgil has done with the space, I must say that the price was actually the most memorable part of the meal. For a quick lunch of soup and sandwiches, one bag of pita chips, a bottled water and a fountain drink, it cost Miss S and I twenty-five bucks. No, this didn’t break the bank, but I can get a comparable meal for much less… not to mention a better meal for about the same. The price issue is not consistent with previous or other Sadorra restaurants. And just like the meters in the parking lot, it’s a drag.
But once warmer temperatures roll around, I can see myself walking to Delish Express to enjoy a light, healthy wrap on the outdoor veranda underneath the neon sign. I’ll save money not having to pay to park and I won’t need that bowl of soup, it being warm weather and all. Hopefully, from this street-side perch, as I enjoy a healthful meal, I’ll be watching more shops like Virgil’s opening up along a booming and revitalized Washington Street.
IF YOU GO: Delish Express, 1599 1/2 Washington St. E., Charleston, W.Va. (304) 342-8889
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
When is the old Delish going to be back, I LOVED that menu for so long, I was so disappointed when I walked into Delish Express and nothing from the old Delish was ther
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Nicole,
That is a good question. Last I heard, Virgil was going to put the new Delish - old menu and all - on the first floor of the old Rose City Press building on Virginia Street, with a fancy bar on the upper floors. I hope that at least the first part comes true… and soon. I could really go for a satay sampler!
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
We also tried them out. 2 points you could have covered. 1. whose parking meters are they? Most likely the city’s and Delish had no control over them - or not? I’m sure you could ask. 2. What bothered us was the extensive use of disposibles-particularly plastics and styrofoam .
Otherwise, the food seemed quite good and the selection of wraps exceptional. Staff was also friendly and helpful.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Greg,
I figure the meters belong to the city, as well. I mean they’d have to, right? It’s just that one just doesn’t typically find meters in a parking lot (Domino’s, Wendy’s and Subway all lack them). This isn’t a knock on Delish Express… just an observation.
Excellent point re: the extensive use of disposables. Perhaps there should be recycle bins placed beside the trash cans.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
January 4th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hi Brooke,
I have enjoyed your reviews immensely. Delish express is a bit pricey but the food is good and the chili is excellent. I do believe the parking lot is a standard city lot - so the meters are not Delish’s fault.
I have a request - you should review my favorite eatery in town. Just down the street from Delish Express is Morocco’s. Sam and Laura have done a wonderful job creating a great atmosphere in the old firehouse building. The food is wonderful and the service is top rate (Laura even went so far as to wash my cousin’s baby’s sweater that she had thrown up on while we ate). Go for the sampler if you go or you will be disappointed that you missed something. $25 or so for more food than any two people could eat!
I look forward to reading your next review!
John Adkins
January 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am
You’re too kind, John. Thanks for reading!
Morocco’s is on my list (yes, I really do keep a list), so be on the lookout.
It’s places like Delish Express, Bluegrass Kitchen and Morocco’s that have me excited about the potential for the East End of Washington Street. Hopefully there are more good things - and good eats - to come.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Always enjoy your reviews, I concur with all that the old Delish menu is sorely missed. I have only been to Express once so I do not have a strong opinion but agree that lunch for two for $25 is pricey for Charleston. Parking meters were installed at the lot long before Virgil S. ever thought of having a restaurant in that location. Great to here about Morocco’s I look forward to checking it out.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Great review - your pricing comments are interesting but I think I will still have to check out D.E.
I, too, was a huge fan of the old delish, and Cilantro’s has been hit or miss for me. The taco shells there are sometimes stale and it does cost a little too much. I’m anxious to try Delish Express, especially since I’ve been craving chili lately.
Thanks for the review and the great pictures!
January 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Great review! I like it and look forward to more.
What you say doesn’t surprise me about DE, I sort of think the same things about cilantros… good but overpriced.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:48 am
The new DE is cute and urban and the prices reflect that. But, how many places in Charleston offer something that is better than the usual “hot, brown and plenty of it” type of fare? I, too, would like to see the old Delish menu come back.
I’ve been to whatever that is in the old Firehouse. Yuck!
January 8th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
An out of town guest and I went to DE a few weeks ago. I have to say that the food was quite delicious and the staff was INCREDIBLY pleasant. Especially the manager. I too, have complained about the pricing. However, THE most annoying thing about DE is the menu. I mean, its far too complicated. Dont’ get me wrong, I have a ’sophisticated palette’, but who has a need for 7 types of mayo, really?
I never see anyone in there after 5pm. I guess their lunch is big. I just see how much Bluegrass has flourished and I hope DE does too.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Right on, dave - the menu is too complicated, which becomes especially apparent if there are people behind you in line. The pressure to quickly, and expertly, create a flavorful sandwich or wrap can be overwhelming.
But I concur that the food is tasty, and the staff is great. I wish DE nothing but great success (oh, and a better recipe for Chicken and Dumpling Soup).
January 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
After eating at Delish Express a few times, I have to agree — it’s just too damn expensive for what it is. When the bill for 2 sandwiches comes to 25 dollars, I can’t help but feel suckered just a little bit.
Yeah, it’s not *that* expensive, but it turns out that it’s exactly expensive enough to keep me from returning with any frequency.
And I miss the OG Delish menu.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Went there. Looked at the prices and what was offered, and walked right out. I don’t understand what the fuss over this guy’s restaurants are. Charleston seems to eat up these “polished turd” feed-troughs. It’s just a flour wrap with veggies on it, people! Last I checked- you could get similar fare at subway for 1/3 the cost. But you say, “Oh! Subway doesn’t have honey jala-maple-chipotle-sun-dried -garlic-wasabi mayo on their sandwiches!”
So what?
Call me a troll or a hater, but if you’re going to eat this tripe, you have too much money to burn.
Yet again, Charleston gets bamboozled and real foodies get the shaft once again. I’m sticking to my own kitchen.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
[…] I hinted at my fanaticism for Jerry Seinfeld in my recent review of Delish Express. I’ve even posted a photo clip of the fictional version of the “Original” Soup Man on a previous entry. It’s a safe bet that the real guy would not approve. […]
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