Charlotte NC It’s not ALL about the Que! (or is it?)

July 21st, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

Saw this picture of Uptown Charlotte businessmen doing what they do best…lunch, haha! Well not really but they have picked one of the best, I can personally and often attest to Red’s Barbeque BBQ as one of Charlotte’s best. The mobile que on wheels you see here makes it way to the Quail Hollow area in south Charlotte on the weekends and it is very hard to pass by. Make sure you try the que of course but don’t miss the Brunswick stew (in season only ~ they’ll tell you when).

Red’s BBQ may not be a reason to buy a home in Charlotte but its a heck of good reason to stay! Enjoy! 

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

Caution: Five Pound Flying Biscuits Now in South Charlotte!

July 3rd, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

OK the biscuits are only 3 lbs of deliciousity! Know one thing I love about living in South Charlotte — that it’s still small enough and hip enough that you can grab a great meal and sneak in a movie on a weeknight! Not that you can’t do this in other cities but there is just something unique about living in the SouthPark / Ballantyne area. The tranquility of the suburbs with all the urban amenities and feel.

So Rhonda and I went to the new Charlotte location of an old favorite for a quick dinner ~ the Flying Biscuit. (there is just no way these biscuits could even get off the ground let alone fly! ~ they must weigh 5 pounds each! ~ and they are fantabulous!) Our food was excellent. Me: the Cheddar & Bacon Turkey Burger… (really good but not as healthy as advertised I am afraid — especially when teamed with two ice cold Stellas!) Rhonda: the Coca-Cola Glazed Salmon..(very good and healthy of course, its Rhonda after all)

So here’s the take — the food and service is very good — we are probably a bit jaded as the Ballantyne location at Stonecrest Shopping Center can’t compete with the funkiness of the original Candler Park atmosphere. But it is a GO, especially for breakfast/brunch. It will be crowded. Read a review and interview with the general manager Luscious Wilson (you can’t make that up!) here at Connect With Charlotte.com. When you go (and you should) try the non-stop breakfast (any time of day) And Don’t miss: the (signature) pudge, moon-dusted potatoes and of course one (or two) of those five pound biscuits. Let us know what you think!

Oh and what movie did we see?…Wall-E and it was fantastic! Watch the trailer here.

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »

What do a Lupie, the Penguin and fried squash have to do with Charlotte Real Estate? A secret no more!

June 20th, 2008 categories: Charlotte Living

For some it’s a reason to move to Charlotte, and for most it’s a reason to stay! The Charlotte Observer’s renowned food expert Kathleen Purvis has compiled a funky list of 50 food, people, and places that give this city it’s flavor! Step One: Hurry! Get with Rhonda, Jackie, Blake, Betsy or Donna and buy a house so….Step Two: you can start eating!

We can attest to a few of the 50….

Steve Spoon, Bill Spoon’s Barbecue. Barbecue is hard, dirty work, and many old-time restaurants close down when the founders pass on. When Bill died last year, it made us happy to know his grandson, Steve, would keep the place just the same. We say, Once when I did not have the cash (no credit cards) to pay for a $25 takeout Bill Spoon handed me the bag and told me to send him a check — best cue, nicest people — southern hospitality!

Pasta & Provisions. Tommy and Debbie George’s little Italian market has been a comforting presence on Providence Road for 15 years. A stash of their ravioli in the freezer keeps our meal emergencies at bay. We say, Wine selection and advice and pasta so fresh make you slap your Italiam Momma!

Lupie Duran of Lupie’s. Duran spent her teen years at Thompson Orphanage, and she’s been taking care of people ever since. At Lupie’s on Monroe Road, she treats employees like family and regulars like friends. The exit sign says it: “Keep on coming back and we’ll call you a local.” We say, Saturday afternoon best “chili hole” in the world, it’s proven! more pictures at Roadfood.com

The jukebox (and burgers) at the Penguin. It (almost) takes the pain out of jostling for a table. There are 50 CDs listed in the box and at least 50 more titles in the notebook on the wall. Hear Elvis (Presley and Costello), Howlin’ Wolf and the Clash in the same evening, or chase Dwight Yoakam with Depeche Mode. We say, You just have experience it, is that a tat?

Have fun and be sure to let us know if you like what you find or if you find some new culinary adventure here in Charlotte!

Authored by Mike Gibbons | Discussion: Your Comments Please »