REVIEW: Neighborhood Store Eola General

Eola General

Housed in the 82-year-old former Handy Pantry store, much rejuvenated by Sean Kelley of Sanford’s Henry’s Depot and Shaun Noonan of Dixie Dharma, Eola General would fit into a cool Manhattan neighborhood or a very hip Midwestern town.

“General” is the byword. Pickled eggs on a stick. Local kombucha and juices, greeting cards and soaps. Need hand-cured meats, house pickles and chutneys, Wavelength coffee on tap, or the cheeses of La Femme Fromage? This is the place.

Natural, organic wines from Curate by Matt Uva and Samantha Lawless range from Christian Tschida’s Non-Tradition to a very drinkable orange wine (yes) from Bodegas Cueva and share space with “Liquid Death Mountain Water” and Estonian brown ale. Chef Racine Richman adds Swan City Bagels and craft cream cheese to the mix.

Those bagels support sandwiches like the Hick Chick ‘n Slaw (above), pulled chicken in a sauce reminiscent of Dixie Dharma’s fabulous BBQ jackfruit, on tangy Cajun slaw; and a unique egg salad with wedged eggs and beautiful lemon caper dressing. Relaxing at an outside table with a glass of wine, surrounded by the homes and greenery of Eola Heights, is a rare and relaxing thing indeed. facebook.com/eolageneral

—J.H.