They do not say “rich” like they used to. When I waited tables in the 1980’s, we shared an unfamiliar vocabulary of food to the newly fine-dining public. “Rich” was code for creamy, sumptuous, and decadent. Since then, our attention has strayed to kale, paleo, avocado, and superfoods. Trend-watchers say people today want to eat fun again. Rich is back in style, and Amelia Island has a choice for rich.
Sue’s Market will satisfy your cravings for old-fashioned flavors and textures. It is a specialty grocery store where you can quickly grab a meal, a sweet, snacks, drinks, gifts, or playful entertaining accessories. You can jump in and out of Sue’s with no parking hassles. For that friend who needs your support, nothing soothes like a casserole or soup that tastes so very homemade. And rich.
Who is Sue? Owner Brandi Whitaker’s grandmother was Sue, as is her middle name. A Georgia girl, Brandi has always loved parties and entertaining. With a Georgia Southern University degree in hand, she worked in Atlanta for years, where Sue’s-type gourmet groceries abound. Brandi and her husband, Nate, had been vacationing here for years, and they made the move to Amelia Island in 2022. Not long ago, Brandi searched for a gourmet market to pick up a casserole for a friend, but no such place existed on the island, so she opened Sue’s Market in late 2024.
As a child, I adored my grandmother’s creamy chicken-and-rice casserole, which became soup later in the week. If you share my memories of creamy chicken casseroles, I have good news: Sue’s Market has our chicken casseroles! Three different large pot pies are just right for a tasting party, I think. Chicken Tetrazzini is more than a post-Thanksgiving dish at Sue’s. Crunchy Chicken Casserole sounds like a toothsome tidbit.
My husband and I enjoyed Ladyfinger’s Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole and was it ever decadent! Cheese straws on the side brought a crisp burn for balance. The next day, our Shrimp, Sausage & Chicken Creole-Style Soup was elegant, meaty, and exciting. Served with a simple salad, this was delightfully filling. How does she do this?
Brandi “partners with both well-known and emerging gourmet brands to bring you the very best in delicious, high-quality foods,” she says. Raleigh’s Ladyfinger’s wares are prominent. Other specialties come from Charlotte, Asheville, Charleston, Anderson, Atlanta, Wisconsin, and even Amelia Island. Elevated snacks include wine biscotti, cheese biscuits, gourmet popcorn, chips, crackers, dips, and spreads. Make a note of these for when you are preparing for guests, planning drinks with friends, heading out to play hard, or in need of a little special something.
The variety of shortbread cookie flavors almost demands a tasting party. In fact, I did taste some at a Thursday wine tasting. Jeanie is the staff wine specialist in charge of the curated wine collection at Sue’s Market and she does wine tastings on Thursdays from 4 – 6 pm. Her eyes sparkled as she told me of finding a Saint-Hilaire Sparkling Rosé, a wine she had not seen for a while in her former wine position.
Go in and talk about wine with Jeanie. Attend wine tastings and other events. Whet your appetite for nostalgic flavors and comfort foods. Enjoy upscale foods in your own home that are gloriously rich. Sue’s Market is located at 2136 Sadler Road in Sadler Square.