Howdy Ya'll...I have just returned from the Michigan Annual Conference! The people and pastor of St. Paul (Detroit) really have rolled out the red carpet. Nothing says annual conference like the food being served (Fried Fish and Barbecue)! I am conducting a poll...which one do you prefer? I am partial towards fried fish...nothing like a fried fish sandwich and a cold soda! However, barbecued chicken is hard to beat(ribs make me sleepy...especially while listening to the reports). If I had to choose, give me fried snapper, or catfish! What do you think? Which one says annual conference...Fried Fish or Barbecue?

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2002

Answers

Considering I'm from up north (as in North Carolina) this poll is a no brainer - Barbeque. I love fish but it tends to be labor- intensive (like eating crab/lobster) due to the annoyance of seperating bones and avoiding the risk of not swallowing a disguised bone. However, let me qualify my decision. Since I'm from the great state of NC when we talk about BBQ we use the term in its appropriate grammatical reference - a noun and not an adjective. When Tar Heels talk about BBQ we are not describing some spicy liquid used to enhance flavor, smell and appearance of poultry, beef or pork. Our BBQ refers to the peculiar processing we use to transform pork from its initial unpleasant and discolorful stage to a delicacy characterized by shredded and minced meat saturated with vinegar, pepper and other NC secrets. There is no better tasting sandwich than BBQ with coleslaw. If the meandering Israelites in the Book of Exodus had requested this staple as oppossed to the manna, their journey might not have been quite as long to Cannaan :-) NC has the best BBQ in America, bar none!! I regret I can't divulge the secret recipe. QED

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2002

As a fellow "Tarheel" from the land of Krispy Kreme Donuts, in good and regular standing, I am proud to see that you are true to your roots Brother Bill! Nothing beats a chopped BBQ sandwich with coleslaw and a cold can of Cheerwine Cherry Soda! However, Fried snapper and Hushpuppies and coleslaw...man! I can't wait for Annual Conference...even if I don't have all of my claims...lol!

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2002

You know what? Now I live down in here in these parts of North Carolina (Charlotte,I recently moved here NOT home grown) I must differ with all of you on who has the BEST barbecue. When I lived in Chicago for a minute, I went to this resturant on 79th and Ashland Aves. Captain Hardtimes, those ribs were so good, I wanted to slap my mom! LOLOLOLOLOLOL The ONLY thing that NC has going on is Crispy Cream, slow people, cheat rent, and good jobs. LOLOLOLOLOLOL

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2002

I have visited Captain Hardtimes, with its "Preachers'Wall of Fame". It was a nice place with plenty of atmosphere! The owner was very nice...and the food was quite tasty!

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2002

Elder Crawford:

I have not dined at Captain Hardtimes, yet, but the next time I'm in Chicago I'll check it out! Again, just to remind those of discriminant taste, when folks like Ray Allen and I talk about BBQ we are not talking about ribs, chicken, etc. NC-stlye BBQ is special, sort of like a culinary term of endearment. Now Sister Crawford since you are a transplanted Tar Heel perhaps you have not quite assimilated to enjoy my home state's signature sandwich. If I had known you live in Charlotte I would have contacted you when I visited the Queen City last month for the Quadrennial Christian Ed Congress. Regrettably, the host hotel did not provide bbq. This was sacrilige! Oh well, there's always next time :-) QED

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2002

Bro. Bill, I'm surprised you would even suggest the Isrealites, on their trek might have asked for Bar-B-Que PORK -- it ain't KOSHER!

Anyhow, while it is true the hotel did not offer barbeque, the caterer in the park did have some. I shunned the ribs (pig meat), but the chicken was good...not the best, but good. Smokin' Joe, up "nawth" here in Columbus wins many awards for his BBQ; his slogan is, "we serve no swine before it's time". His is slow-cooked and reportedly very good. Like others, he has his own special recipe for the sauce. The best I've eaten was Mesquite style bbq beef in Texas.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2002

Sorry to get off the subject but, I couldn't help but ask if any of you knows of a restaurant in the chicagoland area that serves eastern NC style BBQ. I'm from Beaufort NC and living in Chicago. I've been craving it like you wouldn't believe. Smithsfields BBQ would be a good chain to have up here!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for any feedback!

Dan

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2002

Brother Dan...the best advice I can give in terms of finding (good) Carolina BBQ is to save your money for a ticket back home! I have given up trying to find it here in the Midwest. At least once a year I return home to Durham and sample chopped BBQ from Dillard's Resturant. In Winston Salem, I like to visit Pig Pickin's. Down the road in Concord are a mess of places...still I like fried fish at Annual Conference.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2002

Brotha Bill,

It's a shame you just don't know good eating!!! NOW off the subject for a sec, I need to find the best hoggie and philly cheesesteaks (NOT STEAK AND CHEESE) place down here in Carolina! I was born and raised in New Jersey so I know Philly is the BOMB when it comes to hoggies and cheesesteaks.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2002