Review: Yoder's Country Market

Bulls Gap, Tennessee, is not a place that springs immediately to mind as a foodie destination, but perhaps it should be, based on our recent experiences with Yoder's Country Market and Deli. Located about a mile off Interstate 81, this combination grocery store, bakery and deli offers something for everyone.

Breads baked in house form the basis for sandwiches made any way you like. Diners fill out a ticket much like those in use as some sushi bars. You check off the meats, cheeses and condiments that you prefer, include your first name at the bottom, and wait to be called to the counter to pick up your sandwich. Generous portions mean you might have enough for two meals, depending upon your appetite. Grab some "home style" potato chips, also made in-house, to go with your sandwich, if you are really hungry. There is no alcohol and no tables. We ate in the car. The deli would be an ideal stop prior to a picnic in the mountains. Just bring a cooler and stock up.

Besides sandwiches, the deli serves up meats and cheeses by the pound, along with a variety of other products. In addition to bread, the bakery creates and ever-changing array of cookies, pies and cakes to tempt you off your diet.

Most of the floor space, however, is devoted to the grocery, which stocks a huge variety of bulk goods and items not often seen elsewhere. The emphasis here is on products from the Mennonite and Amish farms of Pennsylvania and the Midwest. If you are into baking, you can find everything from spelt flour to bulk yeast to dough conditioner on the shelves. The variety of jams, jellies, condiments and pickles is literally overwhelming. All the bulk items are pre-measured in reasonable quantities, but you can also purchase larger amounts if you need them.

One noteworthy feature of the inventory is the number of dehydrated and canned products that might be used to stock an emergency pantry. Soup mixes and dehydrated vegetables are also great for backpacking, and dried kiwi fruit seems like an excellent choice for an occasional snack.

Put all of this together with a friendly, courteous and professional staff, and you can see why we stop at Yoder's every time we are in the vicinity. All major credit cards are accepted. Check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yoderscountrymarketbullsgap/