Hard Times Deli opens Tuesday, bringing chefs and sandwiches to the Edge
Harrison Downing (from left), Cole Jeanes and Schuyler O’Brien pose for a portrait at Hard Times Deli Feb. 11, 2025. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Harrison Downing is very particular about how a sandwich should be made.
“The whole sandwich should be balanced. Everything is placed where it is for a reason,” Downing explained. “The pickled item needs to be on the bottom. The acid cuts through everything in the sandwich, making that the best way to start the bite.”
One bite, and you see exactly what he is talking about.
Downing’s sandwiches are a work of art. Every ingredient is perfectly layered, and the sandwiches are wrapped tightly in deli paper and then sliced in half, showing off the goodness inside.
His attention to detail in constructing a humble sandwich is inspiring. And when Hard Times Deli officially opens on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Memphis will get to taste for themselves the sandwiches that Downing thought we were missing.
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Hard Times Deli Harrison Downing Cole Jeanes Schuyler O'Brien Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Jennifer Chandler
A cookbook author and former restaurateur, Jennifer Chandler has been writing about food and dining for more than 25 years. In her role as the food and restaurant writer for The Daily Memphian, she covers food news, provides readers an inside look into their favorite restaurants and offers suggestions for what to order at eateries across the Memphis area.
Chandler’s stories and recipes have been featured in national publications such as Real Simple, HGTV Magazine and Woman’s World. She’s also appeared on a number of national broadcast cooking segments including Food Network’s “Dinner: Impossible” and Ducks Unlimited TV. She also hosts a radio show “The Weekly Dish” on Memphis’s NPR station WKNO-FM.
She is the author of four cookbooks: “The Southern Pantry Cookbook,” “Simply Salads,” “Simply Suppers,” and “Simply Grilling.” While she boasts a degree from Le Cordon Bleu, this Memphis native is about making real food accessible for real families.
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