The Charlottesville 29

Where to eat in Charlottesville

Tag: Taste Shack

05/20/2022

#19: Reuben – Holly’s Diner

The Reuben

While the exact origin of a dish is often unsettled, few would dispute that the Reuben was born in the USA. Some say it was created by a Jewish grocer in Omaha in the early 20th century who would request a specific corned beef sandwich during his weekly poker game at the Blackstone Hotel. Others credit it to a Jewish delicatessen owner in Manhattan. Whatever its roots, the sandwich has come to dominate menus at delis and casual restaurants across the country.

Here in Charlottesville, many restaurants make riffs on a Reuben, some substituting pastrami, turkey, smoked brisket, or even tofu. Among those that still use the original corned beef is Holly’s Diner. Every community needs a place like Holly’s, a come-as-you-are joint where everyone feels welcome and the kitchen staff actually care about the food they make. The care with which Holly’s kitchen prepares its Reuben has earned the sandwich a devout following. House-made Thousand Island Dressing coats warm thin sliced corned beef, sauerkraut and a slice of Swiss cheese on soft marble rye. As a bonus, on Wednesdays a mere $9 can get you the stellar sandwich and a side of Holly’s delicious fries.

#19: Reuben – Holly’s Diner
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Reuben at Taste Shack (GFA), House Corned Beef at Market Street Market, Reuben at The Villa Diner, Reuben at South Street Brewery (GFA); Vegetarian Alternative: Tofu Reuben at Kitchene(ette) (GFA)

05/16/2022

#23: Shack Pastrami – Taste Shack

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The Pastrami

Attention to detail is the calling card chef Justin van der Linde carries with him wherever he goes. Rather than seeking to create the next big thing, van der Linde’s focus has always been on devoting due care to his favorite time-tested classics, like the barbecued meats that drew crowds to his restaurant Smoked Kitchen & Tap.

Van der Linde sold Smoked in 2021 to return to one of his first loves: classic sandwiches. At his new restaurant Taste Shack, attention to detail abounds. For his pastrami, van der Linde starts with whole briskets, which he trims lean and brines for four days in pink salt, sugar, and house dill pickle spices. Next, comes van der Linde’s own twist. While a traditional pastrami is seasoned with white pepper and coriander and then smoked, van der Linde uses black pepper and coriander, and rather than smoking, just gives the brisket a hard sear and a slow roast in the oven. For the Shack Pastrami sandwich, van der Linde piles sliced pastrami on marble rye with Swiss cheese, house coleslaw, tomato, onion, pickles, and Taste Shack’s own creamy bbq sauce accented with house pickles. No detail is out of place.

#23: Shack Pastrami – Taste Shack (temporarily closed)
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: House Pastrami at Market Street Market, Tommy Pastrami at Ace Biscuit & Barbecue

05/11/2022

#28: BLT – Blue Moon Diner

Photo by Do Me A Flavor.

The BLT

What some call the king of sandwiches, the BLT can be two different things depending on the time of year. In August, it is largely a vehicle for enjoying thick slices of ripe, local tomatoes. The rest of the year, when tomatoes are out of season, they recede into the ensemble – and the sandwich becomes one whose sum is often greater than its parts.

At Blue Moon Diner, the BLT is delicious all year round. With a classic sandwich, the food-lovers who run the diner have the good sense to leave well enough alone, and don’t mess with tweaks or adornments. As a result, it’s the type of BLT that can transport you to childhood moments of first discovering the sandwich’s magic. No ingredient steals center stage. Instead, the toast, Duke’s mayo, lettuce, tomato, and bacon seem to meld into the very harmony that BLT cravings covet.

#28: BLT – Blue Moon Diner
(GFA)
The Charlottesville 29 of Sandwiches

Others of Note: Texas BLT at Taste Shack (GFA), BLT at Revolutionary Soup (GFA), BLT at Timberlake’s Soda Fountain. Vegan Alternatives: Shroom B.L.T. at Botanical Fare (GFA)