In February last year I took a trip to Gainesville, Florida to take a course related to my day job. It was evident from our first breakfast together that participants had come from all around, and I eventually met people from Canada, Nebraska, New York, India, Florida, and all points in between. It was also at that first breakfast that I met the BFFFF’s.
As soon as I heard these two gentlemen rounding the corner in the hotel lobby, I knew they were my kind of folks. Amongst all the other accents floating around in the room that morning, theirs was one I could relate to. I soon learned that they were from Alabama – Florence in particular – not far from the little North Mississippi town where my mother grew up. So it was that in Gainesville, Florida, my friendship with Both Fine Fellows From Florence began.
That weekend and several times since then the BFFFF’s have extended an invitation to visit them in Florence, and not long ago I decided it was time to make it happen. The trip was work-related, but they knew of my proclivity for hunting down good eats wherever I go. Even as born and bred Alabamians, they are subscribers to the Mississippi food magazine that I showed them between classes at the conference. Thus, as we were setting up the visit it was no surprise that the first question they asked me was, “Where do you want to eat?”
I assured them I would bring my list of “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” – I’ve even got the app on my phone now – but also asserted that I trusted them to take me someplace unique and local that may not have made the list. I arrived in mid-morning, we talked shop for a little while, then the lunch discussion began.
They didn’t have to twist my arm very much to get me to agree to barbecue. But because we had much to cover and not much time, they sent someone to Bunyan’s Bar-B-Q to fetch our lunch. The order was simple – three barbecue sandwiches and three hot dogs. Hot dogs? Yep. Then they asked about drinks. Because I like to properly pair drinks with my meals, I said, “If we’re going to have barbecue, we need sweet tea.” I think I heard an amen. BFFFF The Younger asked if Milo’s was okay, and of course it was, so he hollered (politely), “Bring some Milo’s Sweet Tea – and not the fake sweet, the real stuff – the red top, not the yellow top.” I told you these guys were alright.
The food arrived just the way it should have – each sandwich wrapped tightly in wax paper, softened just a bit by sauce and steam. I tackled the pulled pork sandwich first. It was not soaked in barbecue sauce (thank the good Lord), but was instead slathered with a vinegary orangish-colored slaw that reminded me just a little of the red slaw native to some parts of North Carolina. In the opinion of BFFFF the Younger, the slaw was the thing that made the sandwich. I would be hard pressed to disagree. In earlier days, before my palate was reformed, I would decline the opportunity to get slaw on my barbecue sandwiches, but that was mostly because I just didn’t like slaw at all. Now I love slaw of all kinds, and even on a pulled pork plate I encourage mingling.
The Slaw is The Thing
As I approached the last bite of barbecue I unwrapped the hot dog. I do on occasion enjoy a big, fat, beefy dog – the kind so big that it requires an extra-large bun to hold it. The Bunyan’s’ dog was not one of those. This was the old-fashioned kind – thin, unnaturally red, and with a springy casing that slightly resists the teeth before giving in to the juicy goodness within. There was also some of that good slaw on the hot dog, and oddly enough, the wiener was sliced lengthwise. I’m not sure why they do that, but it made no difference – it was still pretty doggone good. (Sorry.)
Bunyan Dog
After lunch we hammered out some more real work, then got down to my list. Most of the dishes listed in Florence were a little bit out of reach for that time of day: Bread, herbs and olive oil at Ricatoni’s and Crab Cakes at the Marriott Hotel and Spa. It was Wednesday at 3 pm, so Sunday Brunch at The Sweet Magnolia Café was out. Dale’s Steakhouse (of Dale’s seasoning fame) had changed hands. But there was one I knew we could handle. Orange-Pineapple ice cream at Trowbridge’s.
The Famous Orange-Pineapple Ice Cream
Trowbridge’s is the kind of place where I like to linger and soak in the atmosphere. And given that it’s been there since 1918, I think I have a shot at it being there a while longer. On that day, however, BFFFF the Elder and I stepped just inside, ordered our famous (and delicious) ice cream, and headed back to work. But I am told that they have a way with sandwiches, too – a trademark egg and olive, and an offer of mayo on the peanut butter and banana. (I thought I was the only one in the world who did that, though for me it was Miracle Whip.)
Destination Dairy
Since the day began with barbecue and ice cream, I decided I might as well stick to that pattern on the trip home. I stopped in three different cities, searching for a milkshake, banana pudding, caramel cake and more barbecue. Instead I found each place on my list dark and locked. Closed, closed and closed. Thankfully I had a granola bar leftover from breakfast. I definitely need to go back to see the BFFFF’s, but next time I will make my stops on the way.
eats one ate 