I'm Brian. I'm 23, graduating from UNC-Charlotte, and working for a small town south of Charlotte. I'm a simple kind of guy with a simple kind of budget. From a young age, I have known that nothing in life would give me the pure and utter happiness that a perfect hot dog or a steaming plate of Buffalo wings could offer. Growing up in Buffalo, NY, I was surrounded by ethnic Pols, Italians, and Muslims. They all made food that smelled like feet and looked like what things that smell like feet tend to generally look like. Yet, being immersed in that culture, I came to appreciate the saltiness of rye bread or the diversity of flavor in polish sausage. Upon moving to Charlotte I was surprised to initally find that a lot of the local establishments had long since boarded up and the majority of dining options included a waiter wearing flair and a menu with generic items such as the "Cowboy Burger".
That's not representative of Charlotte food. People from here grew up on butter coated collards, cream gravy, pan fried chicken so crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. They introduced the world to the delights of sweet tea under a humid sky and the vinegar based pulled pork barbecue that blows its competitors away. So I've decided to seek out this subtle but not quite extinct group of restaurants, grocers, recipes, and bars that maybe don't get the attention a Texas Roadhouse or McDonalds would get. Along the way, I hope to prove that these places are generally cheaper than the big box chains and save myself a few pennies along the way...mainly because i'm stingy and I guess somewhat because I'm helpful like that.
Oh, and it wouldn't be a manifesto if I didn't list some things I firmly believe about food:
-PBR is actually just chilled battery acid in a clever can. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
-People who don't get pickles or onions on their hamburgers are a lesser species.
-Hot dogs were made for as many condiments as you can fit. A hot dog with just ketchup is a tragedy
-I prefer beef because it's more consistent with me but chicken can be hit or miss depending on the recipe.
-Country Fried Chicken with cream gravy is my favorite dish of all time.
-Buffalo wings were meant to be dipped in Bleu Cheese, NOT Ranch.
-Hot Sauce actually does make everything better.
-Hoisin sauce does as well.
-Totinos frozen pizzas are every grocery stores best kept secret.
-Canadians and Mexicans make much better beer than Americans, it's just a fact.
-Tip 20 percent. Waiters have the hardest job in the world.
-If I could only eat 5 types of food for the rest of my life while stuck on a deserted island because I didn't want to live in a world where people didn't eat pickles, that food would be: Ground Beef, Eggs, Milk, Gravy, and Mushrooms.
-Melted cheese is a vile, vile substance.
-As are stewed carrots.
-Charlotteans have better taste in food and a better sense of culture than anyone is willing to admit.
