Article and photography by Fitz
Lead photo of Pendulum’s house-made ham & cheddar
“If you know the quality of our meats, you know the quality of our sandwiches”
Shawn Lindsey, the Culinary Director at Pendulum Fine Meats in Ghent had a bit of a cocky grin when he told me that line. Truth is, his bravado laden smile is more than warranted. Shawn’s boss, Dylan Wakefield, the co-owner of Pendulum has been breaking down and selling some of the finest meats available in Norfolk for a few years now.
Above: Shawn Lindsey, the Culinary Director at Pendulum Fine Meats
Pendulum is still known more for being one of the best butcher shops you can find locally, but anyone that has had lunch there knows how strong their sandwich game is. Shawn, who when not bragging about his spot’s high end proteins, has kind of an unassuming aw shucks-ness about himself. He’s quietly been overseeing the likes of Pendulum’s girthy, open faced twelve hour smoked brisket sandwich, their succulent roast beef on house made focaccia sandwich, and their divine Cuban sandwich, among others, for the better part of a year and a half. Formerly a sous chef at Riverstone Chophouse, these days when Shawn isn’t grilling meats on the side of Pendulum or in the cabinet smoker inside, he’s across the tracks broadening his culinary skills as a chef under Shiptown Owner/ Chef Stephen Marsh and Chef Ian Hock.
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When you walk into Pendulum, the atmosphere exudes a rich sense of genuine culture indicative of the best of Ghent. Inside you will find a plethora of culinary books, vintage vinyl, local wine, community seating, retro typography and at night, the sharing of space with fellow local small business, Alkaline Ramen shop, that takes over. The sandwich and lunch game available at Pendulum still flies a bit under the radar, though that seems to be changing with recent television exposure. Considering the regulars who return weekly and the quality of the sandwiches however, one wouldn’t be foolish to suspect they would prefer it kept on the down low, so as to have it all to themselves.
For more on Pendulum visit pendulummeats.com
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