Just seconds away from campus, Phillip’s Market is a small deli with big plans.
Phil’s Market is right across from the Gatton College of Business and Economics on South Limestone.
Whether on the way to class and wanting to grab a snack or on a lunch break and want a home-cooked meal, Phil’s is the place to go.
The market carries a variety of items, such as chips, candy and any type of snack desired, as well as drinks.
Food, from the popular catfish platter to a burger and fries, can also be made to order.
Gordon Bentley, the owner of Phil’s, is also a cook and has been there since the beginning. The market employs two full-time cooks and another who is part-time, in addition to Bentley himself.
Phil’s started out where Wildcat Textbooks is located, then moved to the space next to Prince Hookah Lounge.
It has been running for 32 years at its current location, Bentley said.
Throughout high school, Bentley worked for a woman named Ms. Phillips, which inspired the name “Phillip’s Market.”
When Ms. Phillips died, she left the market for him, and he now carries it on as best he can.
Bentley’s head cashier, Terry Day, is a big help to the market. He takes care of the finances, talks to customers and helps them with anything they may need.
Before he started at Phil’s Market, he rented from Bentley and lived in one of the apartments above the market for six years.
He was able to step into the business easily because he used to work in retail.
Still, Day finds the job demanding.
“It’s not all that easy,” he said. “The public can be very hard to deal with at times.”
Without having any of the prices listed by the cash register, he has to remember most, if not all, of the prices for the snacks and for all the meals made by cooks.
When walking in and getting a whiff of the food, ome realizes the smell will be attached to the clothes upon leaving.
But the smell that follows is well worth it when walking out with a full belly of food. And the prices aren’t high, either.
“Compared to other places, their prices at Phil’s Market are reasonable, especially since it’s homemade and quick and easy,” said Jin Ho Park, a hospitality junior. “Like today, I’m getting a burger to go and will just eat it on my way to my next class.”
Entering through the front door from South Limestone, one walks down a hallway with tables set up on the left and bright orange chairs for customers to relax and eat.
Farther down is the cash register, and on the other side of the register are the cooks.
Being able to see the cooks making meals is different from most deli environments, because it gives a feeling of comfort that students miss out on when being away at college.
Behind the wall across from the cash register, there is another room with rows of chips and snacks, as well as drinks.
Tables are also set up in this area for customers to sit and eat, or just hang out.
Students and faculty make the market a popular stop during the five days a week it is open.
Park comes into Phil’s at least four times a month, if not more, he said. His favorite on the menu is the cheeseburger.
On his first time at Phil’s, he bought cigarettes and didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t aware that he could sit down and have a meal.
“It’s a very convenient location for all students and priced very well” Park said.
Morgan McKenzie works full time on campus. She comes in once a week on average to grab lunch or a snack while on her break.
Her favorite on the menu is the grilled chicken sandwich.
“It’s very convenient for me since I’m on campus and the prices are cheap,” McKenzie said.
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