Fresh and Fabulous: Marshall Farms Corner puts a healthy twist on comfort food favorites

Despite the bold maroon signs and the giant decorative wine bottle on the building’s exterior, Marshall Farms Corner is easy to miss – a hidden treasure in plain sight. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to Marshall Farms, whose low profile and well-kept secret status is a disservice to travelers on Route 20 or 522 who whiz by the local gem, unaware of the tasty treats that lie right off the intersection of two central Virginia thoroughfares. Connected to a small auto service shop and housed in a former convenience store, Marshall Farms has an unassuming profile; if you’re an out-of-towner, or even from a different county, and unless you happen to get a flat tire on your trip through this rural Virginia heartland, you could easily miss a taste of the local delicacies lining every shelf and countertop of the Corner.

What Marshall Farms loses due to its low profile, it more than makes up for with the taste of its products. A word of advice: say cheese please. The Marshall Farms Corner story starts with the Marshall Farms dairy, where all-natural, organic cheese is produced from pasture-raised cattle. Sure the health benefits of fresh, non-preservative based foods are becoming increasingly well-known, but without taste, this recent food phenomenon is bound to fizzle. One bite of the Garlic Parsley Chive Cheddar, though, and you’ll be a convert to the local and organic food movements. Rich, creamy, and bursting with savory Italian and fresh herb seasonings, this cheese is extremely satisfying and quickly addictive. If you’re looking for a flavor with less flair or more bite, there are seven other types of dairy bliss to tempt your palate. Try the basic white cheddar for pure and simple cheesy delight, or add a different flavor, like bacon chive or caraway, to this staple cheese. On the other end of the flavor spectrum, the spicier “Jack” cheese is available as Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Dill Monterey Jack, or the show-stopper: Monterey Jack with Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil.

While you could make a full meal – or two or three – from the cheese selections alone, there’s plenty of delectable flavor combinations in the sandwich, panini, and salad options available on the Corner lunch and dinner menu. Pretty much every classic sandwich creation is available at Marshall Farms, from the tuna salad melt to the Reuben (including the Reuben’s latest offspring, the Rachel - with sliced turkey instead of corned beef - and the Twisted Sister - with sliced turkey plus corned beef). Newly introduced panini options include a nice range of meat and cheese combinations, such as Turkey Bacon Swiss, Roast Beef Mozzarella, the Pizza Panini (tomato, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni), the Grilled Veggie Panini (hummus, green peppers, tomato, onions and Swiss), and the sub shop staple, the grilled steak and cheese. To enjoy the delectable Boar’s Head meats and Marshall Farms’ cheeses in a little bit lighter way, try an Italian or Chef Salad. And for vegetarian diners, there are plenty of satisfying dishes available, including the Happy Veggie Grilled Sandwich (hummus, tomato, cucumber, green peppers, onions and cheddar grilled on rye), the Veggie Quesadilla, or the Veggie Reuben (with tomato instead of meat).

For those lucky enough to know about the delicious Marshall Farms Corner, you have two important responsibilities. 1) Tell your friends…you know you would want them to do the same for you. 2) Buy enough treats to share with your buddies, just in case you happen to be coming from out of town and need something to tide you over until your next Orange County food run. Lining the pale green walls of the country café interior of Marshall Farms Corner are shelves full of local goodies, including wines from Central Virginia vineyards and country-style preserves and butters – as in apple butter, pumpkin butter, etc. Make your own gift basket with a selection of those natural, organic Marshall Farms cheeses; preserves made from scratch, sealed in glass jars, and topped with adorable, plaid cloth covers; and Barboursville’s Vineyard’s finest varietals. And if you’ll be delivering these charming wicker baskets of goodies soon, add a brownie or two to the mix; you’re guaranteed to win the heart of any chocolate lover, or even liker. On my first visit to Marshall Farms, the woman behind the counter advised me to try the decadent treat, saying it was the Corner’s signature food item. I owe this woman no small thanks for the hint; the moist, chewy brownie, topped with rich chocolate frosting and a few shaved white chocolate swirls, was simply amazing. If pie is more your style, you’ll find at least three fresh varieties daily, such as apple, cherry, or pecan. And the quickly disappearing cheesecake and chocolate cake on display looked perfectly delectable; too bad a dessert sampling doesn’t constitute a well-rounded meal…

While most locals run to Marshall Farms to pick up a sandwich or grab a cup of Green Mountain brewed coffee, it’s worth your while to dine in and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet as you savor your treat of choice at one of the simple, solid oak kitchen tables laid out in the dining area of this improvised restaurant. Peer through the red-curtained windows that allow lovely sunlight to filter into the cozy deli and watch the cars - actually, pickup trucks for the most part in this neck of the woods – fly across the intersection of Route 20 and Route 522. Sure you can pull out the laptop and check your email (for the umpteenth time today) using the complimentary WiFi service; but the beauty of Marshall Farms is the down home food and laid back vibe that this country hideaway dishes out generously. The best thing to take away from Marshall Farms Corner: a new state of mind.