I think nearly any American expat living in France would offer up the same response when asked the question, “What food do you miss the most from home?” The answer would be: Mexican. Or more specifically, Real Mexican Food as yes, Old El Paso can be bought even at my local grocery store in Arles and that isn’t even food let alone authentic. My Mom knows this and so whipped up her crispy quesadillas with tomatillo salsa within an hour or so of my arrival in the States. For that, not to mention the glass of wine that was immediately placed in my hand, I thank her. I am also grateful for her truly infallible food radar, one that the military would covet if only they could figure out how to transform it into say, a heat-seeking missile.
So when she kept suggesting that we take a road trip down to Detroit (not even 45 minutes from Ann Arbor) for BBQ, I listened. In the realm of expatatia, great BBQ is beyond what one can even hope for and so is often left off the list. And yet somehow before we knew it, my trip was almost over. But my Mom is a wily one and nothing will stop her from good food even if she has to take a personal day off from work to get it (shhh). This is after all, the woman who said that I had a dentist appointment one day when I was in high school so that I could attend a traditional Indonesian luncheon at India Joze in Santa Cruz, California (rightfully feeling that I would learn more from the experience that I would that day in school). So soon, off we went, barrelling down the highway with her companion, Leonard in his big Lincoln that we affectionately call “the Boat.”
Later, when folks would hear that we went to Slows Bar B Q, they would immediately ask, “How long was your wait?” Turns out, Slows is famous. But it also just so happened that luck was on our side. Even though it was already past 1:30pm when we heaved open the heavy front door, we were initially told by the hostess (who is heading to Paris next April) that it would be 45 minutes but to come back for our beeper (ah, only in America!) in fifteen. Back in ten as it was too cold to wander, we were seated straight away.
It says a lot about “the what” we were about to dive into that the beer menu in the bar area suggested to “Buy a six pack for the kitchen” for $5.95. Well, they do have to smoke and roast all of the meats on the menu for hours–hence the name Slows–I suppose they could use a little encouragement from time to time. That there were four different types of sauce, including the vinegary North Carolina style (David Terry, are you listening?) on the table also had me curious.
Loree, you are a wonderful writer and like the best of them, make it look so easy. I think that you would have loved such a lunch as this and I know your honey would have too!
xo,
H
Ann! A supreme foodie like yourself deserves to discover the transcendent qualities of great BBQ. Really. At its best it is fine, fine and complex. Right up your alley.
Not to mention that there has to be something good in your new neighborhood. Has to.
Bisous,
H
Now you have me dreaming of them too and I don't even know what they taste like!
Oh….(and regarding your last comment)… France (which I know full well without consulting Herve) doesn't necessarily have anything on the American South (to be distinguished from the rest of the USA, as I'm scarcely the first to have done throughout his life) when it comes to culinary chauvinism.
—-david terry
It is true, Amelia, just looking at these photos is allllmost like tasting it again. Almost!
Put my tree up today!
Bisous,
H
Arthur Bryant's. Well, it was about fifteen years ago that my ex spoke of it as if it were the Grail of BBQ but how I did wish that I had tasted it…
Hmmm. That is a good question. Although I am not so certain that Aretha sightings are so common these days, unfortunately. And as you most likely saw, the whole thing has a lot going for it in every way. Well thought out and giving back. Dude is serious about what he is doing even though you happily don't feel it in any sort of heavy way when you are there. And I do believe it will last…
As for the local/regional arguments, bah, child's play compared to France. Ask Hervé if you need to, which I doubt.
xo
H
Miss you too!!! Sigh. And you really need to make this happen sooner than later!!! It is sooo worth it.
Hey Miss Smarty Pants! I'll have you know that is was followed by such a long walk (one I will post on soon) and that because my Mom and I split the main, it was…dealable. We felt full but not at all comatose. Really! 🙂
Dianne! Mexican and BBQ are not the same! 🙂 Which makes me think that you have not have awesome examples of either which would be surprising in all of your travels…hmmm…something to take care of! And my Mum IS a true down to the roots foodie and I love her for it!