Cookout Smackdown

Will Massey
4/30/12


Today, CookOut opened. It was a sad sight around campus as individuals who had just finished the ritualistic 5:00pm moan’s meal flooded into their cars. They flew single file down 15 and attacked the store with a force which brought to mind tales of barbaric invasion from Homer’s Illiad. The lines were long, but CookOut persisted, rolling food out at speeds unmatched in Farmville. I decided to go with the platter, which includes one main item, (pork BBQ, chicken BBQ, or a hamburger) two side items, and a drink. I picked pork BBQ, fries, chicken quesadilla, and had to upgrade to the chocolate shake:

The pork BBQ is best described as a playful fusion of Bill’s BBQ that is found all around Richmond and the North Carolina legend, Smithfield’s. Ryan had a burger that looked delightful as well. The real strategy at Cookout is picking your sides. There are many different approaches due to the wide range of sides including: hush puppies, fries, onion rings, chili, slaw, chicken nuggets, chicken quesadilla, and a corn dog. I would consider myself in the semi-conservative camp, meaning I go with one traditional side item (fries, hush puppies, slaws, and onion rings) and one non traditional side like a quesadilla or chicken nuggets. Of course doubling up is always an option and encouraged.

Not only was the opening a success in the quality of food, superior service, and swiftness of preparation, but it also marked a new landmark for CookOut. This is the first CookOut, I have heard of, that allows for indoor seating:

Most of the time the patrons are left to their shameful face stuffing at outside benches or in parking spaces. It truly has been a magical year of palatal expansion in Farmville. We have seen the opening of new chains from Bojangles and Cookout to Sweet Frog and KJ Hibachi. I think Farmville may have hit its carrying capacity for new chains this year. Next year, I believe Farmville will move from a period of incredible expansion into a food diversity recession, where the older chains struggle to compete with their new rivals.  

Season 2 Opener: Electric Dogs

1/24/12

Will:

Well it has been a long winter break and I trust everyone has been eagerly awaiting the return of Two Fat Guys One City. So we are opening the spring season with a major announcement from Hampden-Sydney College and a brand new lunch spot in Farmville. First things first, Hampden-Sydney announced in an email to the student body this morning the end of their contract with Armark to serve food here on campus:

"Faculty, Staff and Students,

Hampden-Sydney College has recently negotiated an agreement with Thompson Hospitality of Herndon, Virginia, who will assume responsibility for all of the College’s dining and catering operations no later than July 1, 2012. This was a difficult decision and made only after intense review, analysis, and on-site visits. We are appreciative of our 56-year relationship with ARAMARK and all of the contributions they have made to the College over that period. Hampden-Sydney, ARAMARK and Thompson Hospitality will work closely to assure a smooth transition. We will provide additional information as the transition process unfolds."

Now we are anxiously waiting new information on the subject and will make sure to keep all your stomachs well informed.

After hearing the news, Ryan and I decided to celebrate by going out for lunch. We set out for Lectric Dogs & BBQ, a small hot dog stand on the other side of town:

Ryan ordered first and we both were welcomed with a taste test of the BBQ in a small cup:

Ryan orded the tried and true hot dogs smothered in mustard. I was so impressed with the BBQ sample that I ended up ordering a BBQ platter. This included fries and a sweet tea:

The BBQ and sweet tea were unbelievable. The BBQ was a little spicy with a homemade sauce that was generously glazed over the pulled pork. The tea was perfectly sweet, not too sweet that leaves you thirsty but also not leaving you with a bitter taste in your mouth. The fries were a great change from the standard moans or fastfood fries but were cold by the time I was able to return to my room. The service though was unbelievable. The stand was run by two of the nicest women I had ever met. The only negative aspect of the Lectric Dogs and BBQ are the limited hours of operation. They are only open on weekdays between 11am and 4pm. If you can, make the trip. And Remember Stay Hungry My Friends!