Food Truck Friday-Charlotte, NC: MASTER BACON

Food Truck Fridays have become a staple in South End Charlotte during its short existence.  Every Friday at 5, about a dozen food trucks park themselves on a large grassy field in South End to satisfy the hunger of hundreds of people celebrating the arrival of the weekend.  The first time I went, I actually wasn’t able to eat.  I went around 7:45 when the lines were at their longest.  Most of the food trucks stop serving at 9, and believe it or not, we were in line for almost two hours, at which point we were told the trucks were closing.  Lesson learned, my husband and I decided the next time we went, we would go around 5:30. 

So, we go at 5:30, and the lines are still ridiculously long.  I had no idea what an event these Food Truck Fridays had turned into.  There is limited seating, so people bring their own chairs, blankets, tables, coolers, beer, etc.  Everyone is happy, having a good time, enjoying the warm weather that is about to become an every day occurrence.  Once again, we were reminded of our amateur status, not knowing that in order to do this right and not have to wait in line forever, we would have to be there before the trucks open, possibly an hour earlier, and bring our own chairs to stake our claim on a seating area. 

Despite the long line, we managed to eat at one of the trucks with the shortest line.  I really wanted to try the Maryland Seafood truck, but that line was endless.  We ended up ordering from the Master Bacon truck.  The line wasn’t too long which may be telling in and of itself.  Bacon is a staple in my household.  Growing up, my baby sister and I would always have to split the last piece of bacon, and our mom would inevitably end up having to make more because we couldn’t get enough.  One of the earliest bonding moments I had with my husband was before we were dating.  We were at a breakfast buffet and my plate was 90% bacon, 10% all other breakfast items.  I looked away to answer my phone, and two minutes later, I look back down and the bacon is gone.  Carney, my husband whom I call by his last name, had eaten all my bacon.  He didn’t know I was such an enthusiast.  He thought I had brought that plate of bacon for him.  That was the moment I knew we were meant to be…

Four years later, it’s no surprise that Carney and I are standing in the Master Bacon line completely excited about the impending pork feast.  The menu was hard to see.  It’s hanging inside the front window which is tinted, so you can’t really read it while you’re standing in line.  We had to wait until we got up close, at which point we felt rushed to order since there was a sizeable line behind us. 

I was disappointed by the menu.  Bacon became a food fad last year.  Trendy restaurants and catering companies were offering items such as bacon topped ice cream or bacon rose bouquets, and this was a trend I was happy to accept.  For this reason, I was slightly shocked that Master Bacon didn’t offer more innovative dishes.  For example, they offered a bacon cheeseburger.  Bacon cheeseburgers have been around for as long as I can remember.  I used to order a junior bacon cheeseburger from Wendy’s when I was in high school because it was $1.07 and it was across the street from school.  There’s nothing creative about this dish.  It’s classic, something you would find on the menu of a regular burger joint.  If you’re claiming to be the Bacon Master, you’re indicating that there’s some level of ingenuity in how you use the ingredient.  When I saw they had a burger on the menu, I was expecting to read that the bacon was mixed into the ground meat prior to cooking, or that the burger was wrapped in bacon, or even that the special sauce to top the burger was a bacon aioli or something along those lines.  Not too long ago on Pinterest, I saw bacon tacos, where the actual taco shell was pure bacon.  I half expected to see that on the menu.  There was a bacon wrapped hot dog, and that was the extent of the creativity. 

We ended up ordering the pork rinds and the bacon cheeseburger sliders.  The sliders weren’t bad, but they weren’t great either.  The burger had that charred flavor that I love so much and the bacon was crisp.  It could’ve used more cheese and the burger itself was a little under seasoned.  There’s nothing that turns my taste buds off more than bland meat, but the grill flavor saved the sliders from being completely insipid.

The pork rinds were not good.  They were home made, so I applaud the effort, but they were dull and lacked any flavor.  The rinds were sprinkled with some paprika based seasoning which is a good idea in theory, but personally, if you don’t season the skins prior to frying them, no amount of seasoning post-fry is going to mask the flavorless rinds when you bite into them.  The pork rinds were crunchy, so the texture was acceptable, and you get a good amount of rinds with your purchase so you don’t feel cheated.  The problem is neither one of us wanted to eat more than one. 

The two items we purchased cost us $13, so it wasn’t cheap considering that it’s a food truck, and it was even more disappointing because we weren’t pleased with the food.  Due to the mediocrity of the food and the lack of originality this Bacon Master exemplified, I would not go back to this particular food truck.  Food Truck Friday as an experience; however, is fun, and there are several food trucks I want to try, meaning I will have to arrive earlier to avoid a long wait in line.  There’s also a cupcake truck that I am eager to try, so look forward to reviews on more of these food trucks in the upcoming weeks.  Food Truck Friday is definitely something worth going to if you do it right.  Turn it into a mini-tailgate with your friends and family and arrive early, just stay away from Master Bacon. 

Tavern on the Tracks-Charlotte, NC

Back in 2009 when I started law school, my friends and I were constantly looking for a place to escape the grind and intensity that is a legal education.  Considering we were in Charlotte, this wasn’t a difficult feat.  We wanted something laid back, where we could unwind and vent, and sit outside and enjoy the sunshine that we were so rarely experiencing behind the stale walls of a law school library.  We were broke grad students, so we needed something cheap and unpretentious, and that’s exactly what we found.  Tavern on the Tracks in South End, a place that became so dear to us that we began referring to it as Old Faithful.  After about a month of hanging out there, the waitresses and bartenders would get us our drinks before we even ordered them.  It was nice to feel some warmth and familiarity during such a grueling time. 

Tavern is cheap.  At the time, my husband and I were just friends who studied together, and his favorite night was Thursdays because it was Jack Daniels night.  Combine that with $3 beer specials and you have a fantastic, yet cheap, night out.  Tavern provides a comfortable atmosphere with pleasant servers and a rather large menu considering that it’s a sports bar. 

While the food isn’t the best, Tavern does sell my favorite queso of all time.  I am a queso fiend.  If it’s on the menu, I will order it.  Tavern has ruined me.  Rarely am I not disappointed these days after trying another restaurant’s queso.  Tavern’s Espinaca Queso is FANTASTIC.  It’s spicy, and they serve it with tri-colored tortilla chips that make for such a lovely plating. 

Although the chips can be overly salty and I wish they would change that, the queso is so good that it almost doesn’t even matter.  It’s spicy and the little bites of sautéed pepper create a satisfying texture.  The dip is smooth and they serve it with a spoon so you can mix the queso occasionally to keep it from hardening.  This appetizer obviously does not promote good health, but it’s delicious and I always find myself eating the queso, even after I’m full.  It’s just that good.  I can be hard to please when it comes to food, and I don’t take the “Best Queso Ever” title lightly, but I have yet to be introduced to a queso that tops this one.  It’s so amazing, on my 24^th birthday I asked my best friend, now husband, to take me for Tavern queso for my birthday.  Crazy, I know.  Just try it and you’ll understand. 

Tavern on the Tracks earned its Old Faithful title.  You can’t go there expecting great food because the majority of the food is mediocre.  The best items to order on their menu are the queso, the chicken tenders, the fries, the steak salad, and the quesadillas.  The rest of the menu isn’t bad for a sports bar, but it’s also not the best.  You go to Tavern for the atmosphere.  The outdoor area is awesome.  It’s spacious and calm, perfect for Sunday Funday or a nice Thursday evening in the Spring.  The location is so accessible, close enough to walk Uptown, and it’s right next to Gin Mill if you suddenly get in the mood to play some darts or listen to a live band.  The drinks are cheap, the food is cheap, the staff is friendly, and the people who frequent the establishment create the relaxed ambiance that is so cathartic. 

Visit Old Faithful's Webpage! 

A Southern Season-Chapel Hill, NC

While A Southern Season is not a restaurant per se, the gourmet emporium offers food that’s worthy of a rave review.  The options are limitless, ranging from deli meats and cheeses to pre-made meals.  The dessert section is full of a variety of candies and fine chocolates, and there are all sorts of top-of-the-line kitchen ware, perfect for a couple looking for wedding registries.  

Despite all these options, I have found myself always going back for the same thing, the German food.  I have to be honest, I wasn’t familiar with German food until I began dating my husband.  Both his parents are German.  His father was born there and his mother grew up there.  Every time his Omi comes to the states to visit, she’ll try and sneak some Beefies, German slim jim except 1000 times better, onto the plane.  Needless to say, the cuisine is geared towards carnivores.  When you walk in, you’ll see the deli meats on your left next to the pre-made meals section.   First, I ask for a half-pound of Krakauer and a half-pound of Leberkase. 

My mother-in-law always tells my husband and I to get the leberkase bologna thin because that’s how they do it in Germany.  My husband and I; however, like it thinly sliced, so it really comes down to preference.  We order the krakauer thinly sliced as well, and a half pound is definitely enough for two people.  We ordered one pound of the leberkase one time because we’re both addicted to it, but it proved to be way too much. 

Then my husband gets a tube of the Shaller and Weber Oldenburger Brand Liver Pate, aka Liverwurst. 

Meanwhile, I walk over to the prepared foods section and order 1 pound of the Valinda’s Potato Salad. 

Finally, we pick up what I believe to be the two key components to this fabulous meal; a block of the Plugra European Style unsalted butter, and the Mestemacher Whole Rye Bread.  There is also a multigrain bread made by the same manufacturer that is equally delicious.  

Forgive the torn wrapper.  My husband and I got overly excited and ripped open the bread before I remembered to take a picture!

We hurriedly go home so we can put together this fine Bavarian delight.  Traditionally you put one type of meat on each piece of bread, but my husband and I discovered the deliciousness that is combining all the meats on one piece of bread.  We cut the brick shaped slices of bread in half and spread some butter and liverwurst, then we top the first piece with a slice of leberkase and the second piece with four slices of krakauer.  A little potato salad alongside a German pickle, and voila!

The krakauer is garlicky and the leberkase does a perfect job of satisfying this meat lover’s palette.  It’s thick and zesty, and by far my favorite German deli meat of the ones I’ve tried thus far.  The liverwust is smooth and peppery, and with that vinegar kick from the pickle, you experience a fantastic blend of varying salty flavors.  The sweetness of the butter offers a lovely contrast, coupled with the grainy texture of the dark, rye bread that is just mild enough for the rest of the components of the sandwich to have their shining moments, but memorable enough for you to know that the sandwich would not have been as delightfully delectable had it not been present. 

I am a fan of all types of potato salads; mustard based, mayonnaise based, loaded, Spanish olives, etc.  I will try any combination of potato salad.  On my top five list for potato salads, my Aunt Wendy’s is definitely ranking in the top three.  The reason I love it so much is because it’s simple.  I love creative approaches to cooking food, but most of the time I find that the best way to bring out the best flavors is by keeping the combination of different flavors at a minimum.  Southern Season’s potato salad exemplifies this perfectly.  It’s a mayonnaise based salad with boiled eggs and dill creating a distinctive bite to an otherwise unassuming potato salad.  It’s a great potato salad, and while it may not be on my top five list, it is definitely meant to be eaten in conjunction with the German deli meat.  All the flavors on the plate compliment each other beautifully, and my favorite part is that when you’re done, you don’t feel stuffed.  You feel satisfied, but you’re not lagging from an overly heavy meal.  

A Southern Season is not cheap.  It’s a gourmet market, so go prepared to spend a little.  It’s not an everyday outing for us, but it’s one of our favorite splurge trips when we want to have a night in.  This particular trip cost us almost $40, but the bright side is that we ate the same exact thing for lunch AND dinner for the next two days, so you do get your moneys worth!

Visit A Southern Season's webpage! 

Tony's Big Pizza-(Ballantyne) Charlotte, NC

I must begin by saying that I am an Uptown resident.  I live in the heart of Charlotte’s bustling city, the perfect blend of progressive energy and Southern charm.  Ballantyne is about a 20-25 minute drive from where I am, and while I make the occasional trip out there, I rarely find myself making that drive for dining purposes when I have a plethora of options right at my footsteps.

That all changed after I discovered Tony’s Big Pizza.  Located in Conlan Circle across from Ballantyne Corporate Park, Tony’s serves as the ideal lunch spot for those who are short on time.  The employees are fast, yet pleasant.  They’re used to the rapid pace of corporate lunch hour, so they manage to get their delicious pizzas out at a swift pace while maintaining an agreeable atmosphere.  Two slices of pepperoni and a drink for $6 is usually the deal I go with.  It’s classic, and although all their pizzas are tasty, there’s nothing quite like a pepperoni pizza and a coke.  I grew up watching Home Alone, so that may have something to do with it.

The name is NOT a misrepresentation, the slices are gigantic.  When you get called to the front to pick up your pizza, the slices are hovering over the side of the pan, and the cheese, slowly oozing down your finger as you carry it to your table.  It looks like one of those huge, delectable slices of pizza you’d see in an episode of Sex and the City, or in the opening scene of Saturday Night Fever where John Travolta is strutting the streets of New York, and stops to get a slice of pizza that’s so huge, he has to fold it together so it’ll fit in his mouth.  

While size is impressive here, the real star of this enormous, mouthwatering pizza is the flavor.  The pizza, at first, is too hot to handle, so I use my fork and knife to cut into it.  As I take my first bite, a feast of flavors burst around in my mouth.  The cheese is melting before you even get a taste of it, and the spurts of oregano combined with that salty, cheesy goodness, and the pieces of hot pepperoni create for a most pleasurable experience.  Tony’s pizzas aren’t overly saucy, but the sauce present is robust with hints of basil and thyme that make for a delightful and scrumptious set of flavors. The crust is soft and mild flavored, acting as a perfect supporting character to the cheese, the sauce, and the meat. 

My dad is the world’s largest pizza fan, and he’s also the pickiest.  He’s a proud New Yorker, and while it’s incredibly stereotypical, it’s also factual that they know their pizza.  There isn’t a pizza joint in the entire state of North Carolina that he loves more than Tony’s.  He’s impatient and hates traffic, but he’s willing to make that 20 minute drive at any time just for a slice of heaven, or in this case, Tony’s pizza.  It’s addictive, and if you order an entire pie, you will finish it in a day. I have yet to find a pizza place around here that beats it, and the fact that it’s cheap and quick makes it even more appealing.  Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the middle of 5:00 rush hour just to satisfy your craving for a gargantuan Tony’s pizza.

Visit the Tony's webpage!