Fayetteville, W.Va is one of the“coolest small towns” in America. It has water, adventures and a not so secret sandwich hub.
It was a rainy, oddly chilly day in June, but there were still loads of hungry people waiting outside to order from a secret place in Fayetteville, W.Va. Usually, people gather there at the end of their adventurous day at the New River or once they’re tired and barely dragging from playing in the lake at ACE Adventure Resort.
They were huddled in groups, looking at one of the plastic covered menus the restaurant provided. The crowds were talking, pointing at the menu, and slipping off from their friends to go grab a drink from the connected bar. Fortunately, my boyfriend and I were one of those people in line.
Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, things were a little different than usual. When we were ready to order, a cashier with brown, curly hair popped her head out of a white framed window.
“You two ready?” she asked, peaking her hand out of the frame.
We walked towards her as I was frantically scanning the menu another time. He ordered a Hoover and I ordered a Truman, though I really wanted a Churchill for the namesake.
The entire sandwich menu at this secret place is named after political figures and political movements. I don’t know why a sandwich with ham and white cheddar is called a Washington, but I’m here for it.
After our orders were served, we walked into the open bar called the Grove where everyone else seemed to be taking their food. Some Southern Rock music welcomed us from the outside. And yes- everyone was social distancing with their scrumptious sandwiches in their mouths.
The room was covered in electric green and blue paint. The walls were dressed in local paintings that could be purchased. Everywhere I looked, from the bar to the door, there were stickers everywhere. It was honestly the perfect description of an art student’s laptop might look like.
But as soon as we opened our boxes to reveal our food, I almost lost track of time. Those sandwiches were beautiful. Oh, my word, those sandwiches. My Truman had pieces of shredded turkey falling from the bun, with peach jam and crispy onions trying their best to keep the sandwich together. Each bite was sweet and heavenly.
But the strangest part? The homemade chips were just as lovely as the sandwich. Sure, chips are usually the sidekick, but they sure made a good team- and that’s no secret.
Okay, so the Secret Sandwich Society isn’t really a secret. It’s inside of a two-story white building. Dozens of signs are pointed towards it. Even if it were a secret, there would be no way I would keep it in for long.
The chain has two locations- Fayetteville and Richmond, VA. It also has connections to another beloved West Virginia chain, Pies and Pints. Both restaurants were created by some of the same people and are placed no more than five miles apart in Fayetteville.
Still, until Morgantown gets their own Secret Sandwich Society, we will
have to drive about two hours away. But with all the adventurous things
to do in Fayetteville, there is no reason to not make a little day trip
down there. No more than a fifteen minute drive away, there is ACE Adventure
Resort. There, the entire family can play. They have giant inflatables
that float across the water, almost making a fun obstacle course for
the
daring.
My dream is to have everyone have the same heavenly sandwich experience that I had in the wild and wonderfully adventurous place called Fayetteville.
About the Author
About the Author
Hannah Grace Morgan is a part of the Writing/Editing Team for WVUGo. She is a senior studying journalism and political science. Hannah is from Oceana, West Virginia where the closest stoplight is about an hour drive away. Hannah has written for the Daily Athenaeum, WV News, the Register-Herald and now for WVUGo.