It is easy to tell the time in Stourbridge. The distinctive clock in Crown Square has long been one of the town’s most noted landmarks, but in recent years there has been another way of telling when it’s lunchtime – spotting the crowds gravitating towards the popular French Deli.

From around midday, hordes of people can be seen flocking to the establishment at the end of Coventry Street, and sometimes the queue can be seen bursting out the door.

The deli has a particularly big student following, but is also popular with shoppers, workers and residents, and there are not many times when it is not busy.

The chairs and benches laid outside the deli, in a block-paved cul-de-sac, recreate the atmosphere of a Parisian pavement cafe in the summer months, although the Stourbridge weather cannot always be relied on for a game of boules.

The main items on offer are filled baguettes, but customers can also choose from paninis, jacket potatoes and pasta dishes. A different home-made soup is also available each day, and is a popular choice among students as it also comes with a small baguette under a special offer.

The jacket potatoes are also a favourite with customers who can choose between a selection of fillings. These can be the traditional options such as cheese, beans and tuna mayonnaise to the more exotic chilli con carne or even a combination of fillings providing a more hearty treat.

The interior makes the visit pleasant with a more traditional, wooden feel than some delicatessen. A large counter welcomes people into the store displaying the items on offer with a smaller counter to the rear and the large ovens for baking the baguettes next to that.

Customers can also see their baguettes being prepared in the small kitchen area to the rear. Despite the deli’s popularity, the friendly staff – who know many of their regulars by name, keep the line moving very efficiently, and are always polite no matter how busy.

Alongside lunchtime food, the shop also sells a wide selection of cheeses, meats and preserves – including olives, chilli peppers and sauces.

Frozen home-made dishes such as moussaka and lasagne are also available to customers to take home and heat up themselves during the evening. This is also very popular with customers with many coming in to ask for the meals on a regular basis.

Being a regular customer, I asked for a smoked salmon one with cream cheese and lettuce, along with a drink a bag of crisps and a chocolate bar.

The actual baguette on the menu comes with cucumber but each baguette can be tailored to suit the tastes of the customer.

The baguette was of excellent quality and the amount of filling was generous with three heaped slices of smoked salmon and plenty of cheese and lettuce.

As a snack for lunchtime, the baguette was very filling and had an excellent taste.

The total cost for the baguette and sundries came to around £6 which is reasonable for the amount of food given.

For visitors, the store is based in the heart of the town centre and is close to convenient parking in both Lower High Street and the nearby Bell Street car park.

1 Coventry Street,

Stourbridge

Tel: 01384 377371