North Carolina barbecue fans often fall into one of two camps: Eastern or Western. There are many differences between the two, but what it really boils down to is the sauce. Eastern ‘cue is doused with a lovely vinegar sauce, whereas Western is mixed with a more traditional (tomato-based) barbecue sauce. Many North Carolinians are adamant about eating only Eastern or only Western, but Corey and I don’t discriminate. Given that we’re now in the heart of Western NC (give it up for Hickory!), it seemed appropriate to enjoy a good ol’ barbecue sandwich for lunch. This thing of beauty came from a tiny lunch spot called Crossroads Grill, located up the road from Corey’s grandma’s house. It was served just the way we like it with pickles and cole slaw on a soft white bun.
Corey and I went halvsies on the barbecue sandwich to make room for another southern “delicacy”:
No, it’s not a hamburger, It’s a livermush sandwich. Never heard of livermush? I’m not surprised. Lord knows I never ate it before moving to North Carolina. It’s a distinctly regional food and people here usually love it or hate it. Traditionally, it’s sliced and browned, then served with eggs and grits or on a sandwich with mayo and/or mustard. Corey loves it, and is not ashamed to admit it. I tolerate it, and am sort of ashamed to admit it. If you visit NC and walk into any small diner or country lunch spot, you’ll likely see it on the menu – if you’re brave enough to try it.
To round out the meal: perfect, perfect cole slaw.
As with barbecue, cole slaw tends to vary from one NC kitchen to the next. I love it when the cabbage is finely chopped (not shredded) and the dressing contains a perfect ratio of mayo to vinegar. This particular cole slaw was light, sweet and a perfect complement to our country sandwiches. (Might I also add that the total cost of this meal was around $6? Ain’t no deals like that in San Francisco!)
You may be wondering what we had for dessert. I didn’t need any, since I got so much sugar from this little thing:
And this one:
Caroline (top photo) is the 15-month-old daughter of our friends Jeremy and Petie. She is a quintessential Gerber baby and I want to smother her with kisses (which she’d probably find weird since we really just met yesterday. Allyson (bottom photo) is the 2-year-old daughter of my college roommate Erin and her husband Scott. Please note the apron and chef’s hat; Allyson is a budding culinary genius who loves helping her mom in the kitchen! (Her mom, BTW, is the genius behind this tasty recipe.) The cuteness is almost too much for me to stand!
Hickory! Holla, my parents have a lake place in Denver. Not far, not far at all.
When I think of North Carolina, I think of boiled peanuts. I love them. I’m ashamed. Those babies/children are cute.
livermush is so awesome. especially with a side of green beans. yum.
livermush on a bun with a little egg, can’t beat it.
[...] « NC, Day 2: Heading West [...]
No corn nuggets? That’s the only reason to go back to NC, I think.
[...] focus on the barbecue portion of menus has limited my awareness of certain items. See a nice picture of a livermush sandwich at the foodie blog Pretty by the Bay, run by a North Carolina ex-patriate who now lives in San [...]