UNC Football: Make A Weekend Out of it
I’m not as good as Hank Williams, Jr. at singing country music, but are you ready for some football? Today marks the first football of a new era, the Larry Fedora era. Yeah, I know. Carolina is playing Elon, today. However, none of our opponents should be taken for granted. The Tar Heels should approach every game like they are playing for the national championship. Play hard, be assertive, and communicating to teammates should be a constant week in, week out. The game starts at the noon. If you are driving from out of town, then you may wonder, “What can I do prior to walking to Kenan Stadium?” “Where should I go?” “After the game, where should I go to eat?” Well, read this column and I will tell you.
In one of my other posts this past week, I discussed my mother who has been at the UNC Hospital this week. She has loved the experience. I think she will be able to leave tomorrow. One night this past week, I was on my way back home. I drove down Franklin Street to check out the scene. Although it was dead, I found this gem. If you love hot dogs, check out “Dogs & Brew.” This restaurant and bar has been around for two months. I went there to get some grub because I was “starvin’ like Marvin.” The hot dogs are superb. They are deep fried. Check out the “Spicy Redneck” hot dog which has bacon, chili, jalapenos, and cole slaw. Plus, there are several flat screens to check out other football games.
Next up, there is “Pepper’s Pizza.” Pepper’s Pizza has been a staple in Chapel Hill. Although I have been there once or twice, their pizza is some of the best pizza I have ever had. You can never go wrong with this place.
If you like Chinese food, then visit “35 Chinese.” I do not know why it is called “35.” Maybe Dave Popson is a silent owner (UNC player from the 80’s who wore #35). I don’t know about the name, but I do know their Chinese buffet is the bomb.com. I have been eating here since mid 90s; when I started attending Carolina. The food is always fresh. The service is great. They also have fruit and desserts, including an ice cream machine.
If you love yogurt, then check out “Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt.” Their yogurt is sooooooooooooooo good. I’m quite sure that Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott think that it’s sweet…dude. You are able to create a yogurt concoction by adding numerous toppings. I love their selection of toppings, particularly the Strawberry Cheesecake, Graham Cracker crumbles, and Ice Cream Cone Waffle pieces. My favorite yogurt flavor is Pecan Praline. Go there and get some of it, to find out why, ya feel me?
If you want some soul food, then check out “Mama Dip’s” on Rosemary, which is parallel to Franklin Street. I have only been there a few times. The food was good. However, the problem was that, I WANTED MORE FOOD! The portions were small, compared to what I would like, buy this my opinion. The food is really good, and she is internationally known, but not known to rock the microphone. To add insult to injury, my wait problem didn’t help. Yes, I spelled it correctly because my wait problem is that “I can’t wait to eat!”
If you are a video game head, there is a Game Stop store located across from Sweet Frog. You can pick up the latest football games, which include Madden 13 and NCAA Football 13. Pick up 13, and take Carolina to the championship. Beat up on your foes by using Giovani Bernard like Marshall Faulk.
Last but definitely not least, we have the University of North Carolina’s Basketball Museum. This is a delight! I’m actually going today, because my children (who are Tar Heels, of course) have not been yet. Today will mark my third time visiting the extravaganza. I’m going to be brief about my description of it. It’s nice! I mean, really, really nice. On Saturdays, the basketball museum is open from 9 am to 1 pm, which means you need to wake up early and visit this place before the game starts. I ran into Kendall Marshall once, when I visited here. Check out my article, “Kendall Marshall: A Carolina player AND Fan.”
There are numerous other restaurants, new and old, including Ben & Jerry’s, Caribou Coffee, Crook’s Corner, Panera Bread, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Spanky’s Restaurant & Bar, and Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe, just to name a few. Check out a list of Franklin Street restaurants here: http://admissions.unc.edu/pdf/Dining_Near_Carolina.pdf. Some of these restaurants such as one of my favorites, Franklin Street Pizza & Pasta, are no longer on Franklin Street. In it’s place is Tomato Jake’s, a new Italian restaurant which is not on the list (this place has Pizza & Pasta’s old phone number). In closing, Tarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…