The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville
05/19/2022

#20: Fresh Maine Lobster Roll, Connecticut Style – Public Fish & Oyster

The Lobster Roll

This is not an every day occurrence. Even under normal circumstances, lobster is expensive, and recent supply issues have only driven the price higher. But, whenever the budget allows, the lobster roll at Public Fish & Oyster always rewards the splurge.

In the roll’s birthplace in New England, where lobster passion runs red hot, a rift exists about how to make the filling. Some toss chilled chunks of cooked lobster in a mayonnaise dressing. Others prefer the lobster pieces served warm, drizzled with melted butter. Diplomatically, Public Fish & Oyster sidesteps the debate by offering both. And, while each is delicious, the unadorned “Connecticut-style,” with nothing but warm lobster and butter on a toasted brioche roll, yields the purest realization of crustacean appreciation. Available only during happy hour, it makes for a very happy hour.

#20: Fresh Maine Lobster Roll, Connecticut Style – Public Fish & Oyster
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Fresh Maine Lobster Roll, Maine Style at Public Fish & Oyster

05/18/2022

#21: Elliewood Club and House Dressing on Pumpernickel – Take It Away

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)

05/17/2022

#22: The Angry Bird – Kitchen(ette)

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Chicken Sandwich
(Roasted or Grilled)

Charlottesville has not always been a great place for sandwiches. Over the last decade, though, the quality and quantity of sandwiches in Charlottesville have exploded, thanks to a cadre of chefs who have turned their passion for sandwiches into businesses.

Leading the way is a pair who love sandwiches almost as much as they love each other. After catering together for years, in 2017 Morgan Hurt and her husband Gabe Garcia Gomez decided to pursue their dream of running a sandwich shop. At Kitchen(ette), they make refined versions of classic sandwiches as well their own creations. You can’t go wrong, but one standout is their riff on a chicken sandwich. For the Angry Bird, they roast dry-rubbed chicken thighs and stack them on ciabatta with cheddar cheese, herb aioli, red onion, sliced tomato and greens. What makes it “angry” is the addition of fresh jalapeños, a nod to Gomez’s Mexico City roots, and indeed this is his favorite sandwich on the menu. A worthy choice.

#22: The Angry Bird – Kitchen(ette)
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches 

Others of Note: 90’s Club at Revolutionary Soup (GFA), Winner Winner at Ivy Provisions (GFA), Chicken Philly in a wrap at Beer Run, The Scott Norwood at ooey, gooey, crispy, The Grilled Clucker at Multiverse Kitchens, The Wilson at The Whiskey Jar, Fluvanna at MarieBette, El Paso at Foods of All Nations. Vegetarian Alternative: The Penny at Kitchen(ette)