The Swamp Fox

I had tonight off and so met the Wife and her fave rep at the store around closing. We drove downtown at seven, parked and walked over to Natty Greene’s. The patio was full, so I suggested upstairs. We sat at one of the big round tables, ordered some wings and beers. I started with a light Spring Pilsner, but enjoyed my salad entree with The Swamp Fox, a high gravity ale, I think. No matter, it was great.

It would be enough that downtown Greensboro has a great microbrewery, but the server was excellent and then the salads came. Oh my Lord, were they big. I had the Greek salad with blackened chicken and it was awesome. The server suggested the Southern Salad and it may be, pound for pound, the best salad in Greensboro, redolent as it was with spinach, chow mien noodles, onions, boiled egg and fried chicken.

We celebrated the continuing success of the Wife’s store and noted how Natty Greene’s was also an exemplar of excellence in its field. I try to make a big salad with grilled chicken about once a week, but may forego the effort for a Natty’s version instead.

And another thing: four bucks for a high gravity craft-brewed local beer is an insane value. Coupled with the superior service and fare, it is little wonder the place is continually stomped with business. Perhaps Natty’s benefits from its location downtown, but I suspect it would thrive anywhere.

Postscript: Over dinner, we related the recent hatchet job on State Street by the N&R. The rep, who would know, indicated the irony of such allegations when the Wife’s store is unequaled by any other in the state. For that matter, he is unaware of a more successful store of its kind anywhere. Indeed, recent online sales speak to the store’s reputation when so few yet remain among competitors, nationally.

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