Trip Home From Charlotte

The theater where we saw Jersey Boys is downtown Charlotte.  Terry had told me to check out the events to see what else I wanted to do but I never did.  I didn't have any idea where to begin, never having been there before. Now I wished I had just Googled the city for Events because, as we drove around looking for parking, we passed a museum that was having an exhibit of mummies from around the world. Anyone that knows or reads me here, knows I will watched the National Geographic Station or the History Channel dig up just about anything.  Of course, that dear man had to remind me he had suggested I look. darn!!  I hate when he's right.

After the play, we walked out to these street jazz musicians.  I have seen street musicians in a lot of big cities, but never with the bass horns these guys had.  They were awesome.

Terry and I are fans of The Food Network's "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives".    This is the first time we've been on the road that had one of  the eateries close to us.  In Charlotte, there are 2 within one block.  We chose " DISH"  because Terry had read that the other one had changed hands, so we wanted to stick with an original.  We are not adventurous eaters.  We stick to the chains when we are traveling, like Ruby Tuesdays or Applebees. Something along that order.  We are not ones to venture into the Mom and Pop restaurants like the program show cases.

Having said that, when I saw the DISH building, I was a little suspect.  Walking in, I wondered if  we should stay.  I knew which part of the  Triple D I had entered.

From the photo it looks cute and homey.  No....to me it was more worn out and I was a little worried about cleanliness.  There is a second room behind where we sat, so it is bigger than it looks from this shot.

The program that aired 2years ago,  showed host,  Guy Fieri,  watching the cook make their "famous" chicken and dumplings, so, that's what I ordered.  I have to say here, though, having southern grandmothers that knew how to make that dish, and I make it like they did, this girl knows her dumplings.  (Terry did have the meatloaf which I thought was good.  It was pretty spicy hot, which I liked.)

So, here's my chicken and dumplings.

It is difficult to see from this photo, but there wasn't any broth or gravy.  It had the consistency of mashed potatoes with some chicken mixed in along with a few small pieces of dumplings.  I think I got the end of the batch or something.  The other side dish was mashed potatoes with gravy.    I ate about half of it. Plus, it wasn't hot, just warm.   I was pretty disappointed, but if given the opportunity, I'd try another Diner, but I wouldn't try another Dive, that's for sure. 

In all fairness to them, by the time we left, the place was packed, so I admit, it must be just me that was not impressed. 

Charlotte is about a 6 hour drive from us so, while there is a lot to do, I wonder how often we will make that trip.  It's not something I would do on a whim. It has to include an overnight stay so that's something to consider too.   At any rate, this trip was a success.