Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Food suggestions

In response to a somewhat food-centric column this week, readers have offered some mouthwatering responses.

Monday, I wrote about how a New York transplant recommended Katz New York, across from the Arboretum shopping center, as a good place for authentic deli food. (There must be a lot of deli fans out there, since owner Lee Katz called to report a boost in business the day it ran).

Reader Mike Gonzalez of north Charlotte added his own suggestion: “You need not go any further than Benny's NY Deli at Weddington Plantation Market. You won't believe the size of the triple-decker sandwiches, colossal burgers, the desserts (Cheesecake, of course, Boston Creme Pie, Red Velvet Cake, etc.), the pancakes (as big as Frisbees), and the omelettes (6 eggs) among other things. Darn, I'm getting hungry. Later.”

That made me hungry too. I haven’t had a chance to check the place out personally, but I can tell you it’s at 3036 Weddington Road in Matthews across from the Siskey YMCA, 704-814-0414.

Got any more deli suggestions? Please e-mail me.

I also wrote about watermelons, which have spawned a lot of treasured Southern traditions. Gloria Sadler, 78, of Cornelius called to let me know her family of seven used to have watermelon fights and seed-spitting contests. Her husband’s father raised watermelons in a patch off Tuckaseegee Road in Charlotte and sold them from a wagon in uptown.

And another called to let me know that the practice of church-sponsored watermelon cuttings hasn’t died, even though no church has publicized one in the Observer since 1993. Craig Avenue Tabernacle ARP Church, at 3936 Craig Ave., is having one this Sunday.

And, of course, watermelon fans shouldn’t forget the Pageland, S.C. Watermelon Festival, which runs July 21-23 in the town 40 miles from Charlotte – it comes with a parade, bands, merchandise and more. See www.pagelandchamber.com.

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cardillo's is a great place to eat - it's by Bi-Lo off of Elm Lane in South Charlotte. They have excellent bagels (shipped from Manhattan) and Italian Ices too! I recommend it.

1:54 PM  

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