Shawn Lone Turned a Buffalo New York Classic into a Southern Culinary Hit!

Article By Chance Wilson

Have you ever heard the term, “Those that know, know?” If not, let me offer a revised version: “If you haven’t tasted it, your flavor card may be revoked.” So what are we talking about? It’s beef, baby, beef! Since beef is one of the most consumed meats in the country, you may be thinking there's not much left to discover beyond hamburgers. Or maybe the rising star, the thin, squeezed, smashed patties you find in a Smash Burger. But let me reintroduce a king in the beef space, and no, I’m not talking about a Philly cheesesteak. I’m talking about some very juicy and moist, thinly sliced beef. And I’m not going where you think I’m going. Some of you may be thinking, he’s talking about Arby’s, right?

And the answer would be no, but you’re not too far off. Yes, they both use sliced beef, but one tastes like it was actually cared for, like a marinated surprise dipped in a flavorful au jus. Now, what if that surprise was piled so high it lifted the top bun off the plate? But don’t overlook the bun itself. It’s perhaps one of the most unique buns you’ll ever pair with a beef sandwich. While others use a brioche or store-bought roll, this takes it to the next level. It’s a kummelweck roll, with a crusty outer layer topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds. Like I said, this is different. And if you can’t handle a bit of spice, you might miss out again because it’s topped with a generous smear of high-quality horseradish. Not a horseradish sauce, this is real horseradish.

For me, I have a habit of taking too big of a bite and getting a strong hit of that horseradish. So, if you ever catch me eating this western New York classic and you see tears and both hands gripping the table, that’s a good thing. That’s why I was excited to find Salmich's Burgers & Hoagies in Norfolk, Virginia. This place opened in 2016 and was started by Shawn Lone, a Buffalo, New York native, and he serves up an authentic sandwich. I really appreciated how the place showcased memorabilia and photos of Buffalo, and you can’t miss the love for the Buffalo Bills. There’s no need to elaborate on this level of sports enthusiasm because I know whoever is reading this is already a Buffalo Bills fan. Yup, I already knew your truth.

With various write-ups about the food, atmosphere, and good energy, this place is legit.

I definitely recommend it, but I have a few suggestions to complete your order. You must try their house-made Beef on Weck sandwich with fries and wash it down with an ice-cold Aunt Rosie’s Loganberry. For those who don’t know, Loganberry is a cross between blackberries and red raspberries. It’s just the thing to do, so let’s play nice and try not to eat the sandwich too fast.