Read the review of 1776 here:
http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/05/a-bang-for-your-buck/
Dining Review: 1776 deli gives you bang for your buck
By Jennifer Biggs (Contact), GoMemphis.com
Monday, October 5, 2009
I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all sandwiches are not
created equal. And when in the course of human events it becomes
necessary for one people to find the sandwich that should be the
inalienable right of all people, she will seek it under spacious skies,
above the fruited plain, and in her local shooting range.
Photo by Mark Weber
Evan Mills enjoys dinner at the 1776 restaurant in the Range USA indoor shooting and training facility before shooting practice.
A Reuben sandwich is called The Pursuit of Happiness at 1776, where all sandwiches have patriotic names.
Co-manager
John Davis (right) is packing heat: He carries his Sig Sauer 40 caliber
handgun while making The Liberty Bell sandwich on the grill as Marian
Schando (left) works the counter at the restaurant at Range USA.
1776, the deli inside Range USA on Whitten Road, easily makes the
list of my favorite unexpected treasures. Honestly, who would expect to
find homemade soups and chili, homemade salad dressings for the spring
mix chef's salad, homemade pimiento cheese -- well, you get where I'm
headed -- in a shooting range?
And yet here it is, and even better, there's not a sandwich on the menu priced above $4.50.
All sandwiches are named for founding fathers or have patriotic
monikers such as Ol' Glory, The '76er, The Call to Arms and so on.
I first found out about the restaurant in the range about a year and
a half ago, when frequent Whining & Dining blogger Randal told me
about a barbecue joint that was there. We met for lunch, I made mention
of it in a story, he put it on his barbecue map, but before long, it
closed. I was itching to go back when I found out that a deli had taken
over the spot.
On my first visit, we tried the Pursuit of Happiness, known in other
places as a Reuben, The Liberty Bell -- a gussied-up Philly cheese
steak -- the chili and chicken noodle soup.
The Pursuit of Happiness delivered. Corned beef (plenty, though not
New-York-deli generous), sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and house made
Russian dressing were pressed between two thick slices of marble rye
bread. It was an excellent sandwich. On a subsequent visit, manager
John Davis told me that he's such a fan of a Reuben sandwich that he
hosts Reuben parties instead of cookouts at his house.
The Liberty Bell was fine -- and huge -- but the olives and the
grilled onions and peppers were a bit much for me. I much preferred the
Ol' Glory, roast beef with grilled onions, provolone and cheddar with
horseradish, that we tried on the next visit.
The chili has a slightly sweet tinge from the tomatoes, but it's
rich, beefy and topped as you like it. Go all the way with cheese,
onions and jalapeno peppers, and it's like eating at home. And the cup
is $2! On my next visit, I'm going for the chili with The Revolution, a
three-cheese panini with mozzarella, cheddar and Swiss.
The chicken noodle soup was chock-full of big pieces of chicken and
small egg noodles. I added a little black pepper, but that was all it
took. Again, it's $2 for a cup. The bowls are $4.
On the second visit, the special of the day was a smoked gouda and
roasted red pepper spread for $4. I do love good pimiento cheese, so I
ordered it and the server wanted to know how I wanted it dressed.
Plain, on rye bread, I told her, and she seem puzzled. "Nothing else?"
I assured her I wanted it plain, and I was completely happy with it.
Later Davis came over to ask about the sandwich. He said he typically
adds tomato, lettuce and bacon. And still for $4. Amazing.
But I have a weakness for eggs on bread, and The Minute Man was a
worthwhile indulgence: Bacon, eggs, and American cheese between two
slices of buttered white bread, grilled until perfectly brown and
toasty. Comfort food you can hold in your hand.
I resisted all of the desserts except the brownie, a deep chocolate
version that's big enough for two. Some of the desserts are made
in-house and some aren't, and the selection changes daily.
Yes, there are men with guns in the restaurant (and surely women,
too, though I didn't see any that were visibly armed). Guns are
holstered, and these people understand and practice gun safety --
there's nothing to worry about. Still, if guns really freak you out,
this probably isn't the place for you. The shooting range is right
behind the restaurant and you'll hear gunfire, so don't go if it scares
you. But if you're interested, there's a bank of windows along the back
wall gives a clear view of the range, so you can watch folks at target
practice.
1776
Food:
Service:
Atmosphere:
