This cheese is a staple in the Carolinas. Mayo, cheddar and pimento peppers. We were out to a restaurant one day and they had this option as a one off rare special. It was one of the most magical things ever.
They never had it again. But I knew exactly where they sourced their mix. There is a gas station two miles from any civilization that sells chili dogs. They also sell this perfect blend of pimento cheese. Current price $11.xx for a pint. Almost twice the price of anyone else.
Anyway, I made some oven fries and broiled the cheese on top. Still magic…
Could I make the pimento cheese for less? Yes. But it’s like a once a year thing. And when I do it it is the meal.
Cost per person: $8 Can you order it anywhere? Maybe, if you are in the Carolinas on the right day in a restaurant with a racist name run by a guy having a life of crisis who accidentally includes boner pills in the background of their advertising. No. You can’t order this.
When society collapses I will miss this.
The restaurant was Lancaster. It closed down. The gas station that sells the good stuff is on 521 near Andrew Jackson State Park.
I don’t think I’ve ever been there, but my mom lived outside of Lumberton for a bit and I visited a couple of times. I flew into Charlotte in 2023, probably the last time I was close.
Too bad it closed. I was in the Ashe and Watauga county area of NC. Visited folks in 23, changes there as I imagine you are seeing.
The closing of that restaurant was necessary. The owner was losing themselves in crazy, the restaurant had a racist name that needed to go. Quality had slipped.
As for changes, I’m an hour south of Charlotte and it creeps closer every year as one farm or treed lot gets converted into track homes.
😬 sometimes closings are good. My limited time in Charlotte showed me a lot of sprawl. Sorry to hear it is growing out instead of up.