Home cookin' buffet style

Back in the small town of Baxley, GA is a restaurant that is known all over the county for it great southern food and it's named Apple Dumpling. To clarify, when I say southern food I don’t mean just any type of food from the south I’m talking about the good ole home cooked type of meal. They have foods ranging from traditional fried chicken to a more common beef stew. The vegetables are cooked just the way the people in the south love too, fried to a brown crispy goodness. While you could argue that if one wanted these types of foods then just cook them at home, you have to take into consideration what makes this worth getting out of the house for, buffet style service. This characteristic makes this place more popular among the people of my home town because people can come in on a Sunday after church dressed in their best or they can waltz right on in on a weekday with grease on their t-shirt and jeans. It’s a place for all people who love to have as much good ole southern food as their heart’s desire to come, fellowship, and enjoy a delicious meal.

Angus Barn

One of the most famous restaurants in Raleigh, NC as well as most of the state is the Angus Barn. The Angus Barn is a fine dining experience close to the RDU International Airport that caters to all demographics. Its famous wine cellar is a popular place to host weddings and special occasions in Raleigh. The Angus Barn is best known for its excellent service and atmosphere. I've been to the Barn a few times for special occasions and loved it each time. The name is not deceiving you, the Angus Barn is in fact a barn that has been restored, remodeled, and expanded. The service is fantastic and the food is great (possibly the best baby back ribs I've ever had). The restaurant also gives back to the community through donations and sponsorships as well as hosting numerous charity walks/runs on weekends. I've been to a couple of these as well, and the Angus Barn gives a great atmosphere as well as some great free food. This restaurant truly represents what people think of when they picture the South through its hospitality, excellent service, and fabulous food.

White Caslte

As most of you know White Castle from the movie Herold and Kumar 2: White Castle, there is more to the restaurant than just the hilarity presented in the movie. First semester myself and some friends of mine went to White Castle on a thursday night because, well, we wanted to. Funny thing is that there are NO White Castle restaurants in the state of Georgia. we had to drive all the way to Tennessee to get our White Castle fix. The food is actually very much like, if not the exact same as, Krystal down here in Georgia. If you have never been to Krystal they sell the mini burgers that they are famous for. White Castle does this exact same thing. The menu items are actually almost the same in every aspect: sides, combos, meals, and desert options. Since White Castle wasn't good enough for the state of Georgia, in its entirety, we have a substitute, Krystal!

First, a Krystal commercial filmed in 1975 with Samuel L. Jackson as the main character:

Now, a White Castle commercial for a bit of contrast:

Aside from the comedic aspect of each of these videos, the food looks exactly the same! Welcome to the originality of the south...

Southern Restaurants

Although Florida is America's most Southern State, it is the farthest thing from Southern Culture one could possibly imagine. In fact, Southern traditions are mocked there! As was mentioned in the post above, cook outs and restaurants typical of a region are popular in the South; something that is rarely seen in South Florida. Most restaurants that are typical of a region in Florida are certainly not Southern, rather they are ethnic restaurants-- Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Peruvian, Venezuelan, and Colombian cuisine.
However, when I came to Georgia Tech and began running around the city, I saw one restaurant that particularly caught my attention. It's name is Mary Mac's. As we ran by it, the smell penetrated my nostrils, and instinctively I asked my friend what that type of food was served there. She retorted back with a smirk, almost as if the questioned I asked was self-explanatory. She explained to me that they served, I quote, "some of the delicious Southern Food I have ever tasted... and I'm from the South!" Then I wondered why I hadn't seen those in any other Southern States-- what about Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and even Louisiana? I've traveled to those states, but never seen this famous "Mary Mac's." I have yet to visit, and hopefully experience Southern Hospitality, chicken and dumplings, gravy, biscuits, and casseroles in their true delight.

Southern Restaurants/Fast Food

As some of you may know, I am from Baltimore, MD. This weekend I went to go visit my family and to go pick up my car. As I was driving the LONG twelve hours back to Georgia Tech, I constantly noticed a restaurant entitled, "The Cookout." Back at home, we do not have any unique restaurants that are just strictly in Baltimore. However, as I was driving through North Carolina, I constantly kept running into "The Cookout" restaurants. I thought it was very interesting that southerners can simply go through the drive-thru and get fast food that they would usually eat at a cookout. Their menu includes barbeque, grilled chicken, chicken wings, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. I must admit that this fast food restaurant definitely goes along with the stereotypes that southerners LOVE to have cookouts all the time.

For those of you who are in the south, are there any restaurants, like The Cookout, that are unique only to your state or city? If not, do you know of any restaurants from another state that stick out to you. What were your experiences like at the unique restaurant that you visited?

Southern Hospitality

As I was looking for a music video for my analysis project, I came across Ludacris' music video, entitled "Southern Hospitality." The video captures so many different types of stereotypes of black people in the south. It starts off with a sign that says "Welcome to Atlanta" to verify that they are in the south. The video makes it seem as if black men are always riding around in cadillacs looking for "hoes." Every male in this picture is wearing baggy clothes with bandannas and chains. Females are definitely degraded in this video as well. They are all wearing short shorts, panty hoes, stripper heels and shirts with their cleavage out.
As a black woman, I can honestly say that I am sick of being looked upon as another one of the southern girls who wears tight, short clothing who is on the streets trying to make money by selling my body. I think videos like these are absolutely ridiculous because they categorize black people as a whole. In reality, there are successful black people in the south who are walking around in suits and owning multiple businesses. Stereotypes like these are degrading to African Americans living in the south and I hope that a change in the way we are portrayed in music videos is made in the near future.

You tube one of the best, if not the best, site for looking up any sort of video. Before reading this post, I never googled "Southern Videos," but as soon as I did, many interesting things popped up. For one, most videos included the word "redneck," and seemed to be located in a very country place. The grass was green, the houses were old, and people were 'round and about, strolling this way and that way. One particular video caught my attention, for it was titled "Funny Redneck Videos." When I clicked to watch it, I was not surprised that it was accompanied by Country music. I was surprised, however, that most of the "funny" things were actually quite silly. For example, one dealt with a truck (oh-so typical of the South), speeding and then flying high up in the air. I personally did not find that very "funny." Then there was one were something exploded and it seemed like fire was floating over a lake... not funny, per se, but perhaps amusing.
It seems like these videos, though trying to portray the South as a "funny" place, are actually ridiculing it and its people.

Ridiculous Southern images in Media

While looking for an artifact for the visual analysis project, I ran across some fairly out there clips portraying the South. Have you run across any of these clips too? If so, what were your views and opinions on the clip as a whole as well as its portrayal of the South?

For me, I ran across this "Saturday Night Live" clip called "Suel Forrester Southern Lawyer". The clip is pretty funny because it hits about every stereotype of a lawyer from the South that one scene can capture. While most lawyers are not like Chris Kattan's character, the portrayal provides a satirical insight to what other people may think of when they picture a true Southern Lawyer. I love SNL's portrayals of the South not because they are accurate, on the contrary, they are about as far from accurate as one can get, but because they add comedy and poke fun at stereotypes and assumptions people may take seriously.

'Redneck' is Simply Sunburn

Having been from the South, born here, raised here, no stereotype really bothers me because I know that they are, for the most part, false. Most people see the South through the narrow view of the magazine, Southern Living. My goal is not, by any means, to say that this magazine is incorrect or lying to the millions of readers, but it is to show the stereotypes the magazine is based on.

When Southern Living depicts the South as hospitable, warm, and welcoming they are about as far from wrong as one can be in any matter. Growing up in a family and community that is centered around these values has taught me how to live my life with care and conscience for my surroundings. As with most things, I feel that when describing something a visual comparison can help in the representation of a point. This video clip of The Waterboy shows everything that the South is NOT.

From minute mark 1:25 forward, the scene depicts the

home of Bobby Boucher and a fine "southern dining"

experience. The ridiculousness of this scene, I hope, will

completely contrast everything you know about the

South as most people know it today. Granted there are

select parts of the country that still may operate this

way, it is safe to say that the majority of the South

would be appalled by this representation of their home.

The South has grown out of stereotypes like the ones

shown in this movie, for the better!

Stereotypes?

Every region in the world has a certain stereotype. Some are positive and self-fulfilling, while some are hurtful, insulting, and not altogether true. Asians have a reputation of being smart and dedicated, Colombians as being drug-dealers, and whites as being supremacists. Of course, these are broad generalizations. I, myself, am Colombian.... but I'm not a drug dealer. That being said, certain stereotypes of Southerners exists. Some call them rednecks, others call them hospitable. Now, when you hear the word "Southerner" what is the first thing that comes to mind? Was there a specific instance in your life that makes this so?

When I hear the word "Southerner," the first thing that comes to mind is a Confederate flag and people criticizing Hispanics, frequently mentioning that Hispanics are "stealing" their jobs. When I moved to the States back in 1999, my first experience with Southerners was the first time my father tried to get a job. Back in Colombia he had his own Civil Engineering firm, but in the States he worked as a truck driver. Trucker, the company he applied to, rejected him-- not because he wasn't qualified but because he was Hispanic. One day, he overheard the managers of the company discussing how they believed Hispanics weren't worthy of jobs Americans, especially Southerners, should have. So I guess that should explain the first stereotype I think of whenever the South is mentioned. I feel it necessary to add that this is no longer the case. After living in the States for over 10 years, I've come to realize that the South and its people are hospitable, and not all of them have hurtful stereotypes of Hispanics.

3 Doors Down

While looking through my iTunes library, I realized I have very little music from southern artists. I'm not a big fan of most country, and I have a very limited taste in hip hop and rap music. In fact, the musicians I thought are from the South turn out not to be, indicating how the southern image can be promoted in some music genres and industries. But one group that I really like happens to be from Mississippi and still does a lot for the Gulf area. This group, if you did not already conclude from the title of this post, is 3 Doors Down. 3 Doors Down is an alternative rock group from Escatawpa, Mississippi. They first popped up on the radar with their hit song "Kryptonite", but my personal favorite song of the band's is "Let Me Go". The group has not duplicated its success since "Kryptonite", but I still enjoy their songs, style, and lyrics.

I also really enjoy how the group gives back to the places that helped them get started. After Hurricane Katrina, the band helped raise money for the Gulf Area especially hard-hit areas in Mississippi. Hopefully in the next few years, 3 Doors Down will have continuing success and make more hits.

Beyonce is My Life

Anyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely LOVE Beyonce. I have been a huge fan of hers from the start, since she was in the group entitled Destiny's Child. She is the epitome of the kind of woman I want to become. The way she carries herself as a lady, how she dresses classy but sexy, and the way she respects her friends, family and peers is very inspiring. No matter how wealthy she becomes, Beyonce will continue to be the humble woman that she has always been. I love how she shows her true happiness of being a strong, African American, successful independent woman. She proves that you can still be independent while having a healthy relationship with someone just as independent and wealthy as you are. I love the fact that I can relate to the lyrics of all of her songs. Whenever I am down or even on days when I am extremely happy, there is always a song written by Beyonce that can capture exactly how I am feeling. Beyonce is from Houston, Texas and she is a great representation of southern hospitality. She is always willing to help others in any way she can and she treats all of her fans as if they were her children. I truly believe that Beyonce is an icon to not only the South, but throughout the entire world.


This is a video of Beyonce on the David Letterman show. I believe that this interview depicts how humble and "normal" beyonce is as a person. She can relate to things like going home and being lazy in pajamas all day. You just have to love this woman!

Sweet Sounds of the South

One of the oldest and possibly most represented form of tradition in the South is music. From Ragtime to Blues, from Bluegrass to Pop-Country, from Swing stylings to modern R&B, the South has birthed and welcomed some of the greatest musical genres of all time. I challenge you to find your absolute favorite artist or group that is FROM the South. Explain why they top your personal favorites and how they, if they actually do, still connect themselves to the South. Provide a sample of your favorite song by the artist. If for some reason you know no one from the South that you enjoy listening to, give the name of your favorite and WHY you don't enjoy any southern artists (if that's even possible). For example, I might choose Jermaine Dupri who produced the song, "Welcome to Atlanta," if he was, in fact, my favorite artist. He was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and still produces songs about his home.

"Welcome to Atlanta" - Jermaine Dupri (Ft. Ludacris)