Best Southern Meal? [Archive]

ugadevil

11-08-2007, 12:10 PM

This past week, I was fortunate enough to have dinner at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA. Social Circle is a few miles off I-20 between Atlanta and Augusta and I highly recommend it if you ever get a chance to stop by.

The menu is southern cooking to the core. A buffet of fried chicken, fried pork chops, ham, and a variety of vegetables that are either fried or cooked in a pan full of butter. Also, wonderful soups, cornbread and an entire plate full of desserts. And to drink, Sweet Tea that probably makes you 10x more likely to become diabetic.

The meal there made me wonder what everyone would consider their favorite "southern meal". I almost feel like some sort of deep fried item should be a requirement for it to qualify as southern but I think anyone can make a case for a good southern meal.

So I pose my question, what is/are your favorite "southern" foods or meals?

Lavabe

11-08-2007, 12:31 PM

allenmurray

11-08-2007, 12:45 PM

Country Ham (sliced pretty thick and very salty)
Fried Eggs (that you can smush up in your . . . )
Grits (the real kind that take about 45 minutes to cook)
Biscuits (w/ blackberry jam)
Sliced tomatoes in season (plop one down right in the middle of your grits)

TillyGalore

11-08-2007, 12:48 PM

Without straying into other threads, a good shrimp 'n' grits is hard to beat.

Cheers,
Lavabe

I'm a big fan of shrimp 'n' grits and cheddar cheese.

I even made it one time using Crook's Corner's recipe. It pained me knowing I was making a dish from a place located in the dump on the hump.

wilson

11-08-2007, 12:50 PM

I too am a big fan of shrimp and grits. I also really like a good pot roast or a giant plate of fried chicken livers. They have really good ones at the Colonnade in Atlanta.

captmojo

11-08-2007, 01:18 PM

Potted Meat, Saltine Crackers, RC Cola, Moon Pie

rthomas

11-08-2007, 01:23 PM

Southern New Years Day:
Hoppin John
Roast pork
Collard greens
Cornbread
Watermelon rind pickles

BlueDevilBaby

11-08-2007, 01:29 PM

Fried catfish
hushpuppies
any veggie will do
pecan pie

Tommac

11-08-2007, 01:30 PM

Fried Chicken
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Pecan Pie

Channing

11-08-2007, 01:37 PM

as a somewhat observant Jew i am precluded from enjoying many Southern Delicacies . . .

But my favorite is the classic:

Large Buttermilk Biscuits
Scrambled Eggs
Slow Cooked Gritz

ugadevil

11-08-2007, 01:57 PM

What, no hushpuppies? [Obligate reference to another thread]
What, no 'cue? [Obligate reference to another thread]

Cheers,
Lavabe

Fear not! On the weekends, Blue Willow features their seafood along with the tradiitonal southern stuff. Fried catfish, fried shrimp, multiple kinds of crab, and hushpuppies are all included on the menu. I think they bring out the BBQ too!

I've never had Shrimp n Grits but I might try it tomorrow night at a great local place here in Athens. Just curious, how is the shrimp prepared when they do it? Fried?

devildeac

11-08-2007, 04:34 PM

What, no hushpuppies? [Obligate reference to another thread]
What, no 'cue? [Obligate reference to another thread]

Without straying into other threads, a good shrimp 'n' grits is hard to beat.

Blue Willow IS good food!

Technically, the Brunswick Stew and a good Belgian Ale are dandy at the Brickstore Pub in Decatur!:D

Cheers,
Lavabe

WHAT, no collards?????????????

Lavabe

11-08-2007, 05:55 PM

WHAT, no collards?????????????

You are mean!:D

ugadevil: Not sure if the Willow does the shrimp & grits, but Athens has a few places that do it. I've had shrimp 'n' grits different ways; fried shrimp, shrimp w/cajun spices, shrimp broiled, shrimp boiled, shrimp sauteed, barbecued shrimp, shrimp w/jalapenos, ... [obligate Forrest Gump reference]. Here in Atlanta, the Buckhead Bakery has some of the tastiest shrimp 'n' grits I've ever had. Gladys & Ron's does a good version too.

Which Athens place? My one semester teaching there was a lot of fun!

Cheers,
Lavabe

ugadevil

11-08-2007, 06:07 PM

You are mean!:D

Which Athens place? My one semester teaching there was a lot of fun!

Well we're going with some friends from Auburn to Last Resort because they've heard all about it and wanted to try it. I thought they had Shrimp n Grits but after checking the menu, it's salmon n grits they serve, not shrimp.

Any places you ate at in Athens that you'd recommend? I'm always looking try new ones.

shereec

11-08-2007, 06:27 PM

things not yet mentioned for breakfast:
red-eye gravy on those grits.
take one of those homemade biscuits, poke a hole in the side with your finger and pour molasses in.

lunch - thick slices of super ripe tomato on white bread with lots of mayo, salt & pepper

dinner - I am happy with a veggie plate - just about any kind of vegetable, but it should include fried okra

micah75

11-08-2007, 06:31 PM

calzone with real ricotta cheese
fresh corn on the cob with buttah
whole wheat buttah rolls
fresh garden spinach--sauteed
tossed lettuce/tomato/avacado salad w/blue cheese dressing
broccoli/cheese casserole
eggplant parmesan

rhubarb pie

Channing

11-08-2007, 07:07 PM

Well we're going with some friends from Auburn to Last Resort because they've heard all about it and wanted to try it. I thought they had Shrimp n Grits but after checking the menu, it's salmon n grits they serve, not shrimp.

Any places you ate at in Athens that you'd recommend? I'm always looking try new ones.

Make sure someone orders the red velvet cake . . . its other-worldly.

wilson

11-08-2007, 07:21 PM

Six Feet Under across the street from Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta also has fantastic shrimp & grits, but that's far from the only fantastic thing they have...one of my favorite places in town.

ArnieMc

11-09-2007, 11:29 AM

In 1976, South Carolina declared grits the official state food:

Whereas, throughout its history, the South has relished its grits, making them a symbol of its diet, its customs, its humor, and its hospitality, and whereas, every community in the State of south Carolina used to be the site of a grist mill and every local economy in the State used to be dependent on its product; and whereas, grits has been a part of the life of every South Carolinian of whatever race, background, gender, and income; and whereas, grits could very well play a vital role in the future of not only this State, but also the world, if as The Charleston News and Courier proclaimed in 1952: 'An inexpensive, simple, and thoroughly digestible food, [grits] should be made popular throughout the world. given enough of it, the inhabitants of planet Earth would have nothing to fight about. A man full of [grits] is a man of peace.'

ugadevil

11-09-2007, 02:34 PM

i'll nominate what i had for lunch today as one of the best southern meals.

fried catfish
green beans
macaroni & cheese
hushpuppies
cornbread
sweet tea

lavabe - did you ever eat at plantation buffet while you were in athens? catfish friday is truly an experience.

Lavabe

11-09-2007, 03:14 PM

ugadevil

11-09-2007, 03:21 PM

Never did, but it sounds great.
Didn't the REM folks open up a great restaurant near Lumpkin St?
Cheers,
Lavabe

There's Weaver D's-Automatic for the People, which is down Broad Street by the river. Some people swear by it and say it's the best southern food in Athens. I'd rather go to Plantation, Peaches, Gateway Cafe, or Chonell's (the list could go on all day). I tend to think Weaver just cares more about the name than the food but that's solely my opinion.

mmmm....Friday afternoon on UGA's campus before a big football game, of course the best thing to do is post on DBR boards!

Master Shake

11-09-2007, 08:14 PM

Six Feet Under across the street from Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta also has fantastic shrimp & grits, but that's far from the only fantastic thing they have...one of my favorite places in town.

It's great, but gotten too popular. I can never get in anymore.

Lavabe

11-09-2007, 08:34 PM

There's Weaver D's-Automatic for the People, which is down Broad Street by the river. Some people swear by it and say it's the best southern food in Athens. I'd rather go to Plantation, Peaches, Gateway Cafe, or Chonell's (the list could go on all day). I tend to think Weaver just cares more about the name than the food but that's solely my opinion.

mmmm....Friday afternoon on UGA's campus before a big football game, of course the best thing to do is post on DBR boards!

I recall Basil Press being good. Weaver D's is solid.

But I believe, now that I think of it, the breakfast place I'm thinking of is The Grit. It's a vegetarian restaurant, and very tasty. The pumpkin pancakes... the biscuits ... yumm!

Athens has so many good places to eat!
Cheers,
Lavabe

knights68

11-09-2007, 10:55 PM

To add my little opinion to the mix:

The best southern snacks:

Peanuts in Pepsi
Moonpies and Coke
rootbeer float

Meal:

From scratch chicken and dumplings with hand made from scratch biscuits and of course gravy!
On the side would be collards, fat back and beans, corn pone or buscuits and honey, and don't forget the texas pete.

Second fave would be fried beef ribs (seemingly soaked in liquid lard), mashed 'taters, string beans seasoned with pork renderins', gravy, corn bread and a side of souse.

And of course to wash it all down... tea sweetened with about a pound of sugar per half gallon of tea!
Or good 'ol fashion ice cold chocolate milk!

Them were 'da days. Well ok, I never ate ALL of that, but I saw many family members gulp it all down.

Pass the antacid!

Channing

11-10-2007, 12:51 PM

Moonpies and Coke

I assume you meant to say Moon Pie and RC Cola . . .

______

The grit is fantastic. One of my favorite places to take people when they came to visit Athens. My favorite Athens restaurant though was East-West. They had the best Sweet Potato Fries

knights68

11-10-2007, 04:38 PM

I assume you meant to say Moon Pie and RC Cola .

oh 'scuse me. Depending on where in the south you're from it can vary from Coke, RC Cola or Root Beer.

Lavabe

11-10-2007, 07:37 PM

I assume you meant to say Moon Pie and RC Cola . . .

Here at Emory, it's Coke.

Tradition, however, dictates RC.
Cheers,
Lavabe

devildeac

11-10-2007, 08:01 PM

Here at Emory, it's Coke.

Tradition, however, dictates RC.
Cheers,
Lavabe

It HAS to be Coke. I thought it was mandated by state law in Ga.(;))

Channing

11-10-2007, 09:18 PM

It HAS to be Coke. I thought it was mandated by state law in Ga.(;))

Its certainly mandated by the Emory Charter!!

But lets be honest - Moonpies aint city food ;)

Lavabe

11-10-2007, 10:43 PM

Its certainly mandated by the Emory Charter!!

But lets be honest - Moonpies aint city food ;)

My wife is a Pepsi-North Carolinian ... makes for fun times here in the World of Coca-Cola.

I'll assume that ugadevil is "blacked-out" after today's UGA/Auburn game.
Cheers,
Lavabe

knights68

11-11-2007, 11:43 AM

My wife is a Pepsi-North Carolinian ... makes for fun times here in the World of Coca-Cola.
Lavabe

It kinda makes sense I suppose. Correct me if I am not right, but Pepsi was born in NC while Coke was born "elsewhere" in a southern city

YmoBeThere

11-11-2007, 11:59 AM

Brown carbonated beverages that the world is addicted to. Seems to me the South has risen again...and again and again with each carbonated bubble.

ugadevil

11-11-2007, 12:04 PM

I'll assume that ugadevil is "blacked-out" after today's UGA/Auburn game.
Cheers,
Lavabe

Message boards are the only place I can communicate because I certainly can't talk. I think my voice was gone before the game even started. When UGA came running out in black uniforms, that was the loudest I've ever heard that stadium...until the kickoff at the beginning of the 4th quarter, which was then the loudest I've ever heard that stadium. Mark Richt is my freakin' hero. Duke football can't have him!

Indoor66

11-11-2007, 12:27 PM

It kinda makes sense I suppose. Correct me if I am not right, but Pepsi was born in NC while Coke was born "elsewhere" in a southern city

I believe you are correct. A drug store in Ashville IRRC.

allenmurray

11-11-2007, 01:14 PM

I believe you are correct. A drug store in Ashville IRRC.

Nope, New Bern
http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/f06.caleb.bradham.and.the.invention.of.pepsicola.p df

Indoor66

11-11-2007, 02:25 PM

Nope, New Bern
http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/f06.caleb.bradham.and.the.invention.of.pepsicola.p df

Shows what an old memory can do.

Lavabe

11-11-2007, 06:22 PM

The owner of Athens' The Grit just died after falling from a parking deck:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2007/11/11/hafer_1112.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
[I don't know if you need to register for this story].

Awful news.
Lavabe

DevilAlumna

11-11-2007, 11:23 PM

It HAS to be Coke. I thought it was mandated by state law in Ga.(;))

When I was in Alabama (Ft. Rucker area), everything carbonated was a "coke."

A waitress would ask, "what kind of Coke do you want?"

"Dr. Pepper" was a perfectly acceptable answer.

captmojo

11-12-2007, 03:39 AM

You can have any drink you want, just as long as it's Coke.

knights68

11-12-2007, 11:36 AM

Nope, New Bern

Yep, you are right. New Bern was the birthplace of Pepsi.
Atlanta was the place or origin for Coke.
Doc Pepper? Waco Texas
Mtn Dew? Knoxville, TN
RC Cola: Columbus, GA
Root Beer: Philly, PA
Ginger Ale: North -o- the border in Toronto
7-up: St. Louis MO

In Australia and New Zealand, "soft drink" almost always refers to carbonated beverages.
In some parts of Australia, the term "lolly water" was synonymous with "soft drink",

In Bulgaria, the name for soft drinks is газирани напитки (gazirani napitki) or simply газирано (gazirano, "something fizzy").

In Canada, "pop" is the most commonly used term among English speakers to refer to a carbonated soft drink. "Soda" is almost never used.
In French, a "soft drink" is referred to as "boisson gazeuse", or informally as "liqueur" or "liqueur douce" (but never "boisson douce", the literal translation of "soft drink"). The use of "liqueur" in this fashion is distinctly Canadian French; in France, "liqueur" refers to a very specific set of aperitif and digestive alcoholic drinks.

In Denmark the name for soft drinks is sodavand, which directly translated means soda water. The term sodavand is exclusively used for non-alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Fanta.

In Ethiopia, soft drinks are generally known by the Amharic word "leslassa", meaning literally "smooth".
The popular brand names "Koka" (Coke) and "Mirinda" (Orange Soda) are also in common parlance.

In German, soft drinks are known as Limo short for Limonade, the German word for lemonade, but in America lemonade is an uncarbonated beverage, generally not considered a soft drink. Some regions also use Sprudel (from sprudeln=to be fizzy) or Brause (in eastern Germany) for carbonated non-alcoholic drinks. However, Fruchtschorle is one of the most popular soft drinks in Germany, but it is never called Limo since it contains no added sugar.

In the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, soft drinks are typically called refrescos, and less frequently, gaseosas.

In the Philippines, soft drinks are also called soft drinks, but locally, it is spelled and pronounced sopdrinks. It is more commonly referred to as "Coke," regardless of the brand.

In the United States, "soft drink" commonly refers to cold, non-alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages are regionally known as:
"Coke", regardless of the brand or flavour, in most of the South, including New Mexico and southern Oklahoma. Some older generations of Southerners refer to soft drinks as "dope".
"Pop" in most of the upper Midwest as far east as Cleveland, Ohio, and into the western part of the Northeast; including such cities as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania,
"Soda" in the Northeast, the southwest (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, the southeastern-settled parts of Florida (near Miami) and parts of the Midwest (around St. Louis and parts of eastern Wisconsin, especially in the area of Milwaukee).
"Soda pop" is used by some speakers especially in the mountain west.
"Drink" or "cold drink" are locally common in southern Virginia and the Carolinas, spreading from there as far as Louisiana.
"Cold drink" is the phrase of choice in New Orleans, Louisiana.

wilson

11-12-2007, 11:52 AM

Yep, you are right. New Bern was the birthplace of Pepsi.
Atlanta was the place or origin for Coke.
Doc Pepper? Waco Texas
Mtn Dew? Knoxville, TN
RC Cola: Columbus, GA
Root Beer: Philly, PA
Ginger Ale: North -o- the border in Toronto
7-up: St. Louis MO

In Australia and New Zealand, "soft drink" almost always refers to carbonated beverages.
In some parts of Australia, the term "lolly water" was synonymous with "soft drink",

In Bulgaria, the name for soft drinks is газирани напитки (gazirani napitki) or simply газирано (gazirano, "something fizzy").

In Canada, "pop" is the most commonly used term among English speakers to refer to a carbonated soft drink. "Soda" is almost never used.
In French, a "soft drink" is referred to as "boisson gazeuse", or informally as "liqueur" or "liqueur douce" (but never "boisson douce", the literal translation of "soft drink"). The use of "liqueur" in this fashion is distinctly Canadian French; in France, "liqueur" refers to a very specific set of aperitif and digestive alcoholic drinks.

In Denmark the name for soft drinks is sodavand, which directly translated means soda water. The term sodavand is exclusively used for non-alcoholic, carbonated soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Fanta.

In Ethiopia, soft drinks are generally known by the Amharic word "leslassa", meaning literally "smooth".
The popular brand names "Koka" (Coke) and "Mirinda" (Orange Soda) are also in common parlance.

In German, soft drinks are known as Limo short for Limonade, the German word for lemonade, but in America lemonade is an uncarbonated beverage, generally not considered a soft drink. Some regions also use Sprudel (from sprudeln=to be fizzy) or Brause (in eastern Germany) for carbonated non-alcoholic drinks. However, Fruchtschorle is one of the most popular soft drinks in Germany, but it is never called Limo since it contains no added sugar.

In the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, soft drinks are typically called refrescos, and less frequently, gaseosas.

In the Philippines, soft drinks are also called soft drinks, but locally, it is spelled and pronounced sopdrinks. It is more commonly referred to as "Coke," regardless of the brand.

In the United States, "soft drink" commonly refers to cold, non-alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages are regionally known as:
"Coke", regardless of the brand or flavour, in most of the South, including New Mexico and southern Oklahoma. Some older generations of Southerners refer to soft drinks as "dope".
"Pop" in most of the upper Midwest as far east as Cleveland, Ohio, and into the western part of the Northeast; including such cities as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Erie, Pennsylvania,
"Soda" in the Northeast, the southwest (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, the southeastern-settled parts of Florida (near Miami) and parts of the Midwest (around St. Louis and parts of eastern Wisconsin, especially in the area of Milwaukee).
"Soda pop" is used by some speakers especially in the mountain west.
"Drink" or "cold drink" are locally common in southern Virginia and the Carolinas, spreading from there as far as Louisiana.
"Cold drink" is the phrase of choice in New Orleans, Louisiana.

And now we know...interesting facts, indeed. But of course, Coke is the only acceptable choice.

Bluedawg

11-12-2007, 12:34 PM

Welcome, ugadevil

Just wanted to point out,, that being a Georgia boy, my DAWG is in honor of old UGA even though I did not go there.

ugadevil

11-12-2007, 04:56 PM

Welcome, ugadevil

Just wanted to point out,, that being a Georgia boy, my DAWG is in honor of old UGA even though I did not go there.

Thanks for the welcome Bluedawg. I'd wondered if your logo was intended to be something supporting UGA. I actually was fortunate enough to have my picture taken with Uga, the bulldog, on Friday night (one of the privileges of being a student worker for the Alumni Association). Evidently, I'd been holding something earlier in my hand that he wanted to lick and it did not sit well with him. He proceeded to cough up something on the floor in front of me. It's safe to say that I was horrified that I'd somehow given the dog an allergic reaction and killed the university's beloved mascot. No worries though, all was well and Uga lives on.

Lavabe: I read about the story with the owner from the Grit. It seems to just get sadder the more you hear about it because it sounds like a suicide. Strangely, it's the second time because it's believed that he recently stepped in front of an oncoming car. Very sad story.

throatybeard

11-12-2007, 07:00 PM

Best Southern meal: Carolina's a$s on a plate.

I just wanted to say that.

captmojo

11-12-2007, 07:59 PM

Best Southern meal: Carolina's a$s on a plate.

I just wanted to say that.

Fantastic, but aren't those things poisonous?

devildeac

11-12-2007, 09:49 PM

Best Southern meal: Carolina's a$s on a plate.

I just wanted to say that.

Deep-fried, grilled, slow-roasted or just plain beaten beyond recognition?

Raleighfan

11-13-2007, 01:42 PM

I'm a big fan of shrimp 'n' grits and cheddar cheese.

I even made it one time using Crook's Corner's recipe. It pained me knowing I was making a dish from a place located in the dump on the hump.

I hope it'll make you feel better to know that the late Bill Neal, founder of CC, was a Duke grad....something I didn't know until reading Remembering Bill Neal by his former wife Moreton Neal, also a Duke grad.