Big Water Seafood, Siesta Key, Florida

I have been to Big Water Seafood exactly once in my life, and that was enough to make me a big fan.  Great place, great food, wonderful people.  Here’s the story. Nancy and I stayed on Siesta Key for a couple of days with our good friends Tom and Kit Moore before we headed to Marco Island, there to be joined by Liza and Ella. … Continue reading Big Water Seafood, Siesta Key, Florida

Best Barbecue in North Carolina! (?)

According to USA Today readers, the best barbecue in North Carolina is to be found at Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Cleveland, North Carolina. Now, North Carolina is blessed with two separate and distinct barbecue styles, Eastern whole hog with vinegar and pepper sauce, and Western pork shoulders with vinegar, pepper, and ketchup sauce.  Each can be very, very good, and I personally avoid comparing barbecue places that … Continue reading Best Barbecue in North Carolina! (?)

Wilber’s has Closed!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! “I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.“ Wilber’s, has closed its doors.   There’s a brief item in the Goldsboro Daily News announcing the closure and the posting of No Trespassing signs on the door.  There is no explanation, but stay tuned for updates. … Continue reading Wilber’s has Closed!

UPDATE: Fat Fella’s BBQ and Grille, Newport, North Carolina

Here’s a place I haven’t tried yet, for reasons explained in the original post below, but which now comes with two strong recommendations.  The first was from my late Aunt Ann Griffin of Wilson, North Carolina, and that should have been recommendation enough.  I just receive a second recommendation from my older brother, Jim, of no fixed abode.  (He mainly bounces among Raleigh, Charlotte, and … Continue reading UPDATE: Fat Fella’s BBQ and Grille, Newport, North Carolina

“June” Brunson: 68 Years at Parker’s Barbecue, Wilson, North Carolina

It’s time to celebrate another pit master, one who is also a fried chicken legend. An article in the Wilson Times marks 68 years that June Brunson has spent at Parker’s Barbecue in Wilson, North Carolina.  June (a nickname) or Johnny Brunson started at Parker’s when he was 14 years old.  That was in 1950, four years after Parker’s opened its doors.  He started cooking … Continue reading “June” Brunson: 68 Years at Parker’s Barbecue, Wilson, North Carolina

Recipe: Eastern North Carolina Corn Sticks

UPDATE:  This recipe has been viewed thousands of times.  Several people have had problems with this recipe.  Sometimes the issue is clear:  You should not use self rising flour.  Other times, it is not at all clear what the issue is, although the reported dry crumbly results suggest the need for more liquid. ### I mention corn sticks from time to time here on the … Continue reading Recipe: Eastern North Carolina Corn Sticks