If you weren’t aware of our history, Epic Portions was launched by myself, John, and Todd. I call the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area home, while Todd lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Every so often I get my ass down there for some eating, drinking, and general tomfoolery. A couple weeks ago was one of those times. This trip will take multiple posts because quite frankly, we ate and drank ourselves stupid. I feel like the following picture explains our weekend pretty well for some reason.
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Probably my favorite food in North Carolina is the BBQ. Unlike most other versions, North Carolina has that vinegar based sauce that I wasn’t even familiar with until a few years ago. This isn’t any Sweet Baby Ray’s bullshit, made with corn syrup and a little bit of high fructrose corn syrup. This is some real flavor. They save the sugar/sweetner for the sweet tea. I came home after my last visit, made about a gallon of my own version, and invited a few people over for some North Carolina Style ‘que. People thought I was crazy. They wanted Sweet Baby Ray’s. I politely asked them to leave my apartment. I In my opinion, the stuff kills any other kind of ‘que.
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My favorite ‘que joint in the area is Allen and Son Pit Cooked BBQ. It’s a bit of a drive and pretty much in the middle of nowhere, but it’s worth any kind of a drive(or flight) you may have to make. The building is old and basic, with the interior matching that basic exterior. If you ask for sweet tea, you’re given a half gallon. Trust me, I was in a sugar coma for about an hour afterward. Be careful with this stuff. It’s Diabetes in a jug. The plates are large, yet affordable, and the food is beyond delicious. I always like to keep it simple and order the BBQ platter with a side of potato salad and slaw, and an order of hush puppys.
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In case the sweet tea coma, the BBQ platter, and the puppies weren’t enough for you, there’s also a dessert menu that is absolutely ridiculous. I’ve never been able to man up enough to get something, but look at this. Klondike pie? Seriously?
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