Add one more stop to your foodie tour of Davidson: The Pickled Peach review

This place thankfully exists (IRL) and is called Davidson. The sleepy main street is literally called Main Street and is quickly becoming home to some of the best additions to the Charlotte food scene.

The problem with Davidson is that it is just so darn idyllic. It’s annoyingly sacchariferous, yet I still keep on coming back for more.

Cool it, we get it. You are the cool kid neighborhood, who is also genuinely nice to everyone and very talented. Boring (just kidding, forgive us, we love you).

This special little cultural oasis is cultivating restaurants attracting national recognition by the likes of Bon Appétit Magazine (See: Kindred Review). Not to be overlooked is The Pickled Peach, a farm to table establishment serving up a thoughtful menu full of graceful soups, sandwiches, coffee and tea.

Situated behind the Ben & Jerry’s on Davidson’s Main Street, the small shop displays a wide range of pre-made sides, a wall of Zapp’s Louisiana-style potato chips, and some irrefutable baked goods. The interiors are finished with reclaimed wood, the menu boasts of all the local farmers sourced for the meal options and the gluten-weary can find plenty to eat.

Once you place your order at the counter and grab your beverage, get situated out on their best feature of the restaurant – a fully covered porch with fans galore on full patrol. Dogs are welcome, children are feasting and college students are pretending to work while they Facebook stalk that cute girl in 19th Century Brit. Lit.

It’s a relaxing, refreshing environment and is perfect for stopping in on your way to or from a day at Lake Norman or for settling in for an afternoon of good company and bites.

Here are my favorite items in descending order:

CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP (Special – $4.00) blended with cucumber and garlic was one of the four soups of the day. It is cool, richly fresh, and full of garlic spunk in spite of the luxurious velvet texture. I wish this was on their daily menu.

GRILLED HALLOUMI ($10.50) with roasted tomato, Kalamata olives, red onion, lemon zest, and spring lettuces tossed with red wine vinaigrette is alive with tanginess and greenery. The bite from the lemon zest and red onions marries with the salty savory from the Greek imported halloumi cheese and Kalamata olives. The roasted tomatoes and spring lettuce pulls the plate together with an abundance of summer flavor.  I wanted more halloumi, but there is never enough cheese in this world to satiate me.

GRILLED CHEESE ($7.00) One-year aged cheddar on sourdough with Ig Vella Dry Jack cheese on the outside. As I mentioned earlier – CHEESE. When there are multiple kinds of cheese combined into one bite with textures ranging from crunchy to molten lava, I struggle to find room for improvement.

CORNMEAL FRIED SHRIMP ($10.50) with spicy mayo, butter lettuce and tomato on a long roll is every good ole’ Southern boy’s dream come true. The cornmeal crust is fried to remain crunchy and without  a hint of sogginess. Upon biting into the roll, the shrimp is crisp and juicy, paired with just the right amount of a creamy kick from the spicy mayo.

SLOW BRAISED AND PULLED CHICKEN ($8.00) with apple cider ginger coleslaw on a round roll is absolutely up to par and inarguably a chicken raised responsibly nearby, however, there was not an element in the taste that was extraordinarily memorable.

HAM SANDWICH ($8.00) with brie and pickled peaches on grilled challah is what I ordered without hesitation, since it sounded like a promising flavor combination and had the shop’s namesake pickled peaches. Plus, when is grilled challah ever a bad thing? Alas, the happiness remained until the first bite hit my tongue and it was obvious that something very hot and plastic had made contact somewhere along the way. I am still unsure of whether the taste came from a spatula coming into contact with a hot surface with the peaches present or some other misfortune that is unlikely to be repeated, but I tried several times without luck to enjoy this sandwich. On a brighter note, I ordered without reservation, so there was plenty to continue on to sample.

VERDICT: I love what they represent and how they operate. The menu is full of deliciously simple options and the ambience, especially outdoors, is pleasant and enjoyable for all ages. I really hope my ham sandwich experience was a total fluke and will have to return to Davidson (woohooooooo!) to try it again.

The Pickled Peach – $ out of $$$$
202 South Main Street, Suite E
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 765-2190

HOURS:
Tuesday – Sunday Lunch: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, Dinner: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed on Mondays

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What were your favorites?  Questions or comments? Tweet or email me. I am listening and I want to know! Email, Instagram, Twitter.

Pickled Peach menu image via their Facebook page.