DonDiego Defends First Lady Michelle Obama

The Democratic National Committee has recently announced that Charlotte, North Carolina will host the 46th Democratic National Convention in 2012.

In response to this announcement First Lady Michelle Obama expressed approval of the selection and wrote: "Charlotte is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an 'up by the bootstraps' mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South. Vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, the Queen City is home to innovative, hardworking folks with big hearts and open minds. And of course, great barbecue.”

Objections have arisen to Ms. Obama's claim that Charlotte, NC has "great barbecue".

The Associated Press (AP) quotes a Mr. John Shelton Reed, author of Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue, as follows:
" 'Complete the sentence: As a barbecue town, Charlotte is one, not what it used to be; two, like Minneapolis for gumbo; three, good enough for Yankees; four, not far from Shelby,' he said, referring to a barbecue center about an hour west of Charlotte."
The AP also states: "Even the editorial board staff of The Charlotte Observer acknowledged Lexington's primacy, in a blog response to Michelle Obama's letter to supporters praising the local barbecue: 'Everybody knows to get the best stuff, you gotta drive north to Lexington.' "
Ref: Charlotte Barbecue? Hog Experts Say Look Elsewhere

For the record DonDiego states that on a Cardinals-at-Panthers football weekend in 2008 in the company of his beloved teechur he enjoyed an outstanding beef brisket barbecue platter at Mac's Speed Shop at 2511 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. The place was bustling with happy, boisterous customers and energetic employees. The experience easily ranks among the top 5 barbecue meals which DonDiego has appreciated in his lifetime.
Mac's Speed Shop has been voted the Best Barbecue in Charlotte by the Kansas City BBQ Society.
Ref: visitsouth.com

Hmm, . . . writing of Kansas City reminds DonDiego that just last year on a Cardinals-at-Chiefs football weekend teechur and he enjoyed another outstanding barbecue dining experience at Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue - another eatery with cheerful diners and an efficient, knowledgeable staff - and just inside the Kansas state line. The house-speciality pulled pork places this joint in DonDiego's top 5 also.

Oh, . . . and there's Duke's Barbecue in Walterboro, SC, just off I-95 which offers a fine buffet. The food is cheap and plentiful, just like the customers, . . . DonDiego's kinda roadhouse. The mustard-based South Carolina barbecue sauce absolutely places Duke's in DonDiego's top 5 too.
DonDiego warns the unwary traveller that the name "Duke's" emblazoned on a Southern barbecue joint does not indicate any affiliation with Duke's Barbecue in Walterboro. With the possible exception of "Bubba's", "Duke's" is undoubtedly the most common barbecue-restaurant name in the South.

But poor, old DonDiego digresses . . .

DonDiego's experience at Mac's Speed Shop in Charlotte, NC is sufficient cause to silence the critics of First Lady Michele Obama's reference to Charlotte's "great barbecue".


DISCLAIMER:
Other than an occasional gustatory relationship DonDiego has no financial or personal interest in Mac's Speed Shop, Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, or Duke's of Walterboro.

Two hotel employees in Orangeburg, SC mentioned Duke's as the place to go in that area. I had asked if anybody had heard of Sweatman's, a rural barbecue palace near Holly Hill that is open only on weekends and was featured on an episode of "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain. Neither had.

Has DD or anyone else experienced Sweatman's?

item i: DonDiego warned the reader about this ! ! ! Duke's of Orangeburg, SC - with three outlets - is not Duke's of Walterboro.

item ii: DonDiego has not experienced Sweatman's; nonetheless, he is certain someone else has.

Critics might be justified in noting that her promotion of North Carolina BBQ flies in the face of her quest to confront the obesity epidemic in this country. But if Don Diego can forgive her then so can I.

Obesity is a by-product of what you put in your mouth. It's your choice. God help us all if BBQ was outlawed! Is there life after BBQ baby back ribs? I DO NOT THINK SO!

And Don Diego is looking forward to attending the convention?

Authentic down home Southern barbeque with websites?
Wi-fi? Follow them on Twitter?

Love the KC BBQ the best. Vinegar has no place in BBQ.

DonDiego tends to agree with snidely333, but keeping one's mind open can yield pleasurable results. A local BBQ joint he hadn't tried before presented DonDiego the choice of seven (7) sauces at a recent luncheon date with teechur. The outright vinegar-based sauces were, as he had expected, not particularly satisfactory to his palate. However, a mayonnaise-based Alabama White Barbecue Sauce incorporating a significant portion of vinegar, something which DonDiego had not come across before, was surprisingly delectable.

Hope most people realize that obesity is not as simple as being a by product of what you put in your mouth...