New pop-up concept launches at MG Road

Posted on by Gina Smith
TASTE OF SUMMER: MG Road's newest pop-up concept, Picnic Club: Summer of Sandwich, features a selection of cold, pressed and grilled sandwiches, fresh sides and salads. The bar crew is also rolling out a fresh summer menu of cocktails, shots and shandies. Photo by Michael Files

With The Thunderbird winging its way into memory, MG Road is rolling out a new hot weather pop-up concept — Picnic Club: Summer of Sandwich. The menu will feature sandwiches, sides and salads to complement classic summer cocktails and a new selection of shots and shandies at the bar.

Sandwich selections will include cold, pressed and grilled options, such as a pressed smoked turkey and honey ham and a pressed fried chicken with smoky pimento cheese. Available either cold or as a melt are a tuna-ricotta salad sandwich with preserved lemon, olive oil, Castelventrano olives and basil and a smoked, barbecued No Evil Foods seitan sandwich with Pisgah Pale Ale barbecue sauce.

Rounding out the sandwich menu are curried minced lamb with coconut milk and barbecued pork shoulder with Carolina mustard barbecue sauce. Sides include potato chips, basil potato salad, pickle-and-pea fried rice and smoky pimento mac and cheese. There are also two salads and a salami-and-smoked-pimento-cheese plate available.

MG Road’s creative director, Michael Files, says to expect yet-to-be-announced guest chefs in June as well as other surprises. “MG Road will keep the pop-up spirit strong, continuing in its role as Asheville’s culinary concert hall and a bastion of epicurean creativity by hosting the occasional guest chef or one-off pop-up concepts,” says Files.

Picnic Club: Summer of Sandwich starts on Tuesday, May 26. Similar to The Thunderbird, it will be an extended concept with no set end date. Hours will also be the same: Monday-Thursday 5:30-10:30 p.m. And Friday-Saturday 4-10:30 p.m. Closed Sundays. MG Road will continue serving drinks until late. — Gina Smith

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