The Charlottesville 29

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The House Dressing

Wait, house dressing is not a sandwich.

Or is it? UVa students and locals alike know that you could put the dressing between two sandals and it would taste good. For thirty years, Take It Away has attracted crowds to The Corner (and, more recently, Dairy Market) for sandwiches of well-sourced ingredients on freshly baked bread. But, mostly for house dressing.

The dressing belongs to Myrt Power, whose family founded Williamsburg’s The Cheese Shop fifty years ago. In 1992, family friend Tom Bowe had the brilliant idea to bring The Cheese Shop’s concept to Charlottesville, along with its house dressing. All these years later, Bowe remains tight-lipped about Myrt’s recipe, but it is known to include mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, herbs, and spices. How do you take yours? One of the best ways is a jar of it with a bag of “bread ends” for dipping. As for sandwiches, everyone has their favorite vehicle for house dressing, but it’s hard to beat Bowe’s: Elliewood Club on pumpernickel. Honey smoked turkey and baked ham with cheddar cheese, romaine lettuce, roasted tomatoes, red onions, and bacon. And, of course, lots of house dressing.

#21: Elliewood Club and House Dressing on Pumpernickel – Take It Away
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Ham, Cucumbers and House Dressing on Pumpernickel at Take It Away (GFA); Pastrami Turkey, Cheddar, Arugula, and House Dressing on French at Take It Away (GFA); Madison with Pimiento Cheese and House Dressing at Take It Away (GFA). Vegetarian Alternative: Three Cheese and House Dressing on French at Take It Away (GFA)