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Celebrating Mardi Gras InTheBurg

February 9, 2021 by InTheBurg

Mardi Gras, French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a traditional New Orleans’ celebration of the culmination of Carnival season, on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and Lent. Outside of New Orleans and opulent parades, Mardi Gras indulgences can still be found in Spartanburg!

This year, Fat Tuesday is February 16th, but to accommodate both bakery demand and social-distancing precautions, Mardi Gras will look a bit different this year. Plan your socially-distanced Mardi Gras indulgences early, so you don’t miss out! InTheBurg did the work for you. Here’s all the local details on beignets and chicory coffee, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and where to find those famed purple, green, and gold swirled confections….

Start your day, Cafe Du Monde-style, with hand-fried beignets and chicory coffee at Little River Coffee Bar, (188A West Main St.) Each year, Little River’s kitchen crew teams up with Nola-native Liz Blanchard (of the former Cakehead Bakeshop) to prep, fry, and powder hundreds of these pillowy squares of dough.

This year, to reduce the annual lines wrapping through the cafe, Little River is offering beignet pre-orders for the first time! In previous years, beignets have sold out within a few short hours. Click here to pre-order your beignet trio for pick-up February 16th.

Pair your hot beignets with a cup of Little River Roasting’s chicory coffee blend or a Cafe au Lait, (drip coffee and steamed milk.) Chicory is a root, used historically to “cut” coffee grounds and stretch them longer during coffee shortages. The coffee-chicory blend has a unique woodsy and nutty flavor.

Outside of parade floats and beaded necklaces, King Cakes are one of the most iconic symbols of Mardi Gras! Traditionally, King Cakes are made of cinnamon-flavored dough, covered in sweet gold, green, and purple icing or sugar. Inside, a baby figurine is hidden, with a prize for whoever unwittingly receives that slice. (Click here for more history on when and why babies were hid inside these cakes. And no, the tradition is not related to baby Jesus.)

King Cakes are in demand throughout Carnival season outside Louisiana, so many bakeries accept preorders only.

Mama Sue’s Homemade Help (401 East Kennedy St, (864)497-8388) and Spartan Bakery (210 Westgate Mall Dr, (864)587-9244) are both baking King Cakes this year, by phone pre-order.

If you’re looking for a last-minute sweet find, Publix Bakeries and The Fresh Market (1200 East Main St) bake a few King Cakes each day. You can also pre-order your own King Cakes or Tea Cakes at The Fresh Market, by calling (864)573-6527.

After a day full of sweet indulgences, you cannot forget a traditional Cajun and Creole dinner.

Southside Smokehouse (726 South Howard Ave, Landrum) is famous for their Louisiana comfort food and North Carolina-style barbecue.

Their annual Fat Tuesday party will look a bit different this year due to COVID-19 and social-distancing precautions, but the delicious food is guaranteed! A “seated buffet” is available all-day February 16th, both in-person or for carry-out orders. Classics include Shrimp Creole, Fried Catfish, Grilled Andouille Sausage, and Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya.

Indoor seating is limited to 50% capacity, so reservations are encouraged; call (864)457-4581 to inquire.

Or, get creative at home this Carnival season, with a themed Mardi Gras cocktail (get the recipe here) and miniature King Cake Cupcakes (get the recipe here.) Choose your cupcake fillings– of cinnamon, strawberry, or pecan praline cream cheese– and pour a licorice-flavored Ojen Frappé to pair with them.

“Laissez les bons temps rouler,” or, “Let the good times roll!”

Cover beignet photo by GoUpstate, of Little River Coffee Bar’s beignets in 2020.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: beignets, chicory coffee, king cake, landrum, Mardi Gras, southside smokehouse, Spartanburg

Locavores’ Charcuterie: Building a Better Board InTheBurg

January 27, 2021 by InTheBurg

Whether you’re searching for the perfect wine and accoutrements for a date night in, or you’re a cocktail- and cheese-lover looking to nibble your evening away bar-side, InTheBurg is bringing you all things CHARCUTERIE. Don’t let the fancy boards and spreads intimidate you; building a better board is simple with local ingredients and these tasty tips.

Start with the Basics

Charcuterie is a French term that traditionally refers to cold, prepared meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and pâté. But in a broader sense, charcuterie has come to be known for fanciful arrangements of multiple, bite-size treats.

So, let’s start with the basics when building a shopping list– a variety of cheeses and meats, pickled accompaniments, fresh produce, dry goods (such as nuts, chocolates, and crackers,) bread or crackers, and a variety of spreads and jams to pair with each bite (such as local honey, mustards, and pepper jelly.) We’ll cover a variety of local markets to shop, specialty treats for extra “flair,” and additional tips for creating your charcuterie boards at home.

One Stop Shops

  • Blue Moon Specialty Foods (130 South Church St): You may know Blue Moon for their variety of custom seasonings and sauces, or perhaps their frozen meal selections and daily restaurant counter menu, but have you explored their retail shelves? In addition to house-made Cheese Crispies, Rosemary Candied Pecans, pickles okra and onions, a variety of Pimento Cheeses, and Giddy-Up Party Mix, Blue Moon also carries additional retail brands of jams and preserves (such as Sallie’s Greatest and Adam’s Apple,) a variety of wines, and local ceramics and woodworking.

  • The Deli Korner (1445 Fernwood Glendale Rd): Charcuterie is nothing without its cured meats and fine cheeses! This market and restaurant combo has been serving up traditional German, Swiss, and American plates since 1981, and their deli counter is a must-visit for fresh meats and cheeses, such as Sopressata and Genoa salami, Havarti, and Jarlesburg cheese. Check the specialty market shelves for traditional crackers and sauces to pair with your deli goods.
  • European Market: This regional market offers goods from 25+ different countries, and has three different locations to shop in Spartanburg alone: 5545 Hwy-9, Inman; 38 1st St, Inman; and 8047 Warren H. Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg. (Coming soon: 8275 Asheville Hwy, Boiling Springs.) Get creative while assembling your boards, with unique crackers, chocolates, candies, cheeses, and pickled items.
  • Hub City Farmers Market (498 Howard St): There’s no better place to find local produce than your local farmers market, and the HCFM is one of the longest running market seasons in South Carolina! Shop local honey, greens, baked goods, olive oils, and of course, seasonal produce. In addition to their regular season (Saturdays 8am-12pm, April through December,) Hub City hosts a Winter Market once a month, January through March. Upcoming markets are February 20th and March 20th, 11am-2pm, and are outdoors at the Harvest Park to accommodate social distancing.
  • Stone Soup Market & Cafe (1522 East Rutherford St, Landrum): In addition to their fresh, Blue Ridge menu and frozen casserole options, Stone Soup’s market shelves are stocked full of delicious preserves, cured meats, local honey, cheeses, olives, and crackers and crisps.

A Little Local Something Extra

Want to elevate your charcuterie board an extra step? Here’s a few special destinations to stock your playful palate options:

  • Dottie’s Toffee (505 East Main St): This local confectionary will add a sweet compliment to any board; in additional to seasonal offerings, Dottie’s offers both milk and dark chocolate toffee year-round.
  • Gerald’s Candy & Nut Shoppe (212 East Daniel Morgan Ave): Buy in bulk; enjoy more charcuterie boards! Gerald’s offers a variety of nuts, jams, butters, and brittles year-round, in addition to their popular cheese straws. Opt for seasonal ingredients such as specialty candy and nut trail mixes or Apple Butter, for a themed spread.
  • Little River Coffee Bar (188 West Main St): In addition to their locally-roasted coffee, Little River Roasting now offers fresh-baked loaves of bread– Rosemary, Multigrain, and Camp-style– with complimentary local delivery or pick-up with online pre-orders.
  • Olive & Then Some (124 Magnolia St, Spartanburg; 221 East Rutherford St, Landrum): You won’t know the difference in specialty olive oil until you experience it for yourself, and with dozens of gourmet oils, balsamic vinegars, and suggested pairings, Olive & Then Some has you covered. Shop their two locations for complimentary samples and additional ceramics, spices, and spreads, or browse online.
  • Those Pickle Ladies: These family-recipe pickles are famous far beyond the Spartanburg County line, and can be found on a variety of grocery shelves, including Blue Moon Specialty Foods (see above.) Their “fire & ice” small-batch pickles come in a variety of heat levels, such as “Texan Granny” and “Pickles of the Dead.”
  • Don’t forget the wine! Shop local from the finest global wine selections, at Bond Street Wines (145 West Main St,) Carriage House Wines (196 West Main St,) Keg & Cellar: Vino & Hops (5844 Reidville Rd, Moore,) and The Wine Gallery (220 South Main St, Woodruff.)Keg & Cellar is both a taproom and market, offering a variety of specialty crackers, olives, and additional dried goods to pair with your wines. Click here to read more on Keg & Cellar, from their grand-opening.

Now, Add a Little Spice

Okay, so now that your pantries and fridges are full of delicious items to nibble, let’s get to building! Charcuterie boards can seem daunting, but in the end, it all comes down to quality ingredients and a little creativity.

  • First things first, you’ll need a board or platter, large enough to accommodate cheese knives and bowls for spreads. Traditional materials are cured wood slabs, slate, or marble, but really anything you have on hand would work. You can even go the extra local step, with a ceramic platter from a local artisan.
  • When choosing multiple varieties of ingredients, consider both flavor and texture. For example, cheeses can include firm/hard varieties, blue cheeses, semisoft, and flavor-infused (such as red wine or harissa.) Nuts can provide an additional layer of flavor and texture to the board, such as smoked almonds, freshly shelled pistachios, or candied pecans.
  • Fresh produce and sweet items combat creamy cheeses, fatty charcuterie meats, and other “heavy” palate items. Add in cherry tomatoes, blackberries, bits of chocolate, grapes, dried apricots, etc.
  • Have plenty of bread or crackers on hand. Lightly toasting fresh bread or baguette slices adds an extra “oomph” to your flavor, and helps sop up all the delicious mustards, oils, preserves, and soft cheeses.
  • Don’t forget the utensils! Make sure to have any spoons for jams, cheese knives (especially for brie and other soft cheeses,) or toothpicks. Toothpicks are also great for arranging rolled meats.
  • Want to dive more into curated boards and recommended pairings? Check out On Boards by Lisa Dawn Bolton. You can order a copy locally from Hub City Bookshop (186 West Main St.)

“Hmmm,… This seems like more work than I expected.”

After reading this article, you might be a little hungry. (We know we are!) Satisfy those charcuterie cravings sooner rather than later, with these local dine-in boards:

Dray: Bar + Grill (1800 Drayton Rd): Served with aged meats, a variety of cheeses and pickled sides, toasted bread, and Lusty Monk mustard, Dray’s charcuterie spread packs a punch, with two size options. (Smaller board pictured.) Pair your board with a side of Pimento Cheese Bites and honey sriracha for more cheesy goodness. Best yet: Dray’s specialty cocktails (“Draytails”) donate $1 to the Spartanburg Humane Society per drink, AND wine bottles are half-priced every Wednesday.

Bond Street Wines (145 West Main St): Enjoy a glass of fine wine and spread of European goodies in the heart of Downtown Spartanburg, at Bond Street Wines. Bond Street offers intimate indoor table seating, as well as outdoor tables on both Wall Street and Morgan Square. (Keep an eye out for the return of their specialty tasting flights and pairings events.) Then, take home a bottle (or two!) to try your hand at our charcuterie tips.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: blue moon specialty foods, bond street wines, charcuterie, deli korner, DIY, dotties toffee, dray bar and grill, drayton mills, eat local, geralds fruit and nut shoppe, keg and cellar, landrum, local food, markets near me, onespartanburg, Spartanburg, Stone Soup, those pickle ladies

Get The Scoop: Five Must-Visit Ice Creameries InTheBurg

July 16, 2020 by InTheBurg

We don’t need a reason to enjoy a delicious ice cream sundae, but if you’re looking for an excuse, here’s a great one: July is National Ice Cream Month, and National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19th.

Choosing which flavor to savor is almost as difficult as choosing a shop! Here’s five of our favorite creameries:

Big Ben’s Desserts & Ice Cream

297 Spartanburg Hwy, Lyman

Big Ben’s is your one-stop-shop for ice cream sundaes, handbaked brownies and cupcakes, milkshakes, Ben Hall’s famous banana pudding, and more. Build your own sundae, with a slice of signature cake and over 15 toppings to choose from. Stop by for a sweet treat, Tuesday through Saturday.

Read our full article on Big Ben’s here.

Buck ‘N Brew Coffee & Ice Cream

18981 Asheville Hwy, Campobello

“Have your [ice cream,] and eat it too” at Buck ‘N Brew. This specialty coffeeshop and ice cream parlor combo, has everything from hot fudge sundaes, handspun milkshakes, and cheerwine floats, to oreo frappes and sandwiches.

Check out their 24 flavors of ice cream, open daily. In a rush? They even have a drive-through!

Read our full article on Buck ‘N Brew here.

Hub City Scoops

158 East Main St, Spartanburg

Hub City Scoops has all sorts of ways to eat your ice cream: waffle cone, cake cones, ice cream sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes, AND ICE CREAM FLIGHTS. Choose from nearly 60 rotating flavors— including non-dairy options, sugar-free flavors, and Italian ices and sherberts– from Wisconsin’s famous Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.

Check out their exclusive National Ice Cream Day menu offerings here.

Hub City Scoops is open daily, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Or, enjoy your ice cream across the street with a stroll through the Denny’s Plaza gardens. They are also offering take-and-make kits, with your ice cream pints and toppings of choice.

Southern Delights & More

114 East Rutherford St, Landrum

Sweet tooth got a craving? Hungry for breakfast or lunch? Southern Delights has it all! Head to historic Downtown Landrum, and look for the green dino…

Grab a coffee and ice cream cone to-go, then stroll downtown’s many antique shop finds. Or, enjoy your sweet treats in the air conditioning, while playing one of the cafe’s many board game offerings. Southern Delights is open Monday through Saturday, 8am-4pm.

Strawberry Hill U.S.A.

3097 Hwy 11 West, Chesnee

Most people know Strawberry Hill U.S.A. for their fresh-picked buckets of strawberries, baskets of peaches, and other seasonal produce. BUT, right across the street, stop by the Country Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor. The cafe is open year-round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grab a Southern bite to eat and a dessert to-go, then eat your sweet treats in a rocker on the porch.

Strawberry Hill offers 12 homemade flavors and 18 Gifford & Hershey flavors, plus milkshakes, banana splits, root beer floats, fresh berry sundaes, and more. The Ice Cream Parlor is open daily, 10am-8pm.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: big ben's desserts, buck 'n brew, burg, cooley farms, hub city scoops, ice cream, intheburg, landrum, national ice cream day, scoops, southern delights, spartanburg eats, strawberry hill usa, visit spartanburg

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  • InTheBurg
  • Community Calendar
  • About InTheBurg
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  • InTheBurg
  • Community Calendar
  • About InTheBurg
  • Send Us Your Story
  • Subscribe to InTheBurg
  • Advertise With Us