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White Trash Chowder
2007-03-11 05:01:00
Now thats an interesting name? and since its a headline of sorts, anyone still reading at this point is apparently a victim of its hook and edge. White trash Chow der is yet another mutant stew recipe we made while daydreaming at the supermarket. Our goal here was a “white colored” hearty stew, based on the main ...
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West Virginia In And Duke Out
2007-03-10 05:44:02
Well what a great day in the ACC tourney and beyond. The main story of interest in the state of North Carolina is the NC state Duke game going into OT, where as I stated in an earlier post Duke just didnt have the depth to match their reputations. I had pointed out that every long grinding game this year against physical opponants has had the same toll on Duke with fouls and lack of inside depth. NC State moves on, Duke puts its mind back on the big dance to save some face. Duke would sure make a nasty 6 or 7 seed for some unlucky at large team, but the formula to beat them seems clear, go inside all day, play physical and get to the foul line against their lack of team depth. The more interesting vertime game for me was the West Virgin ia vs. Louisville game. I am the sixth man of the year and I apparently play for West Virginia. The moment I tuned into the game West Virginia began an 18 point run to take the lead. I have made it clear that with no Charlotte in the dance I would be ...

Carolina NCAA teams Part 1
2007-03-08 11:41:01
Davidson College/Stephan Curry videos from this year. Davidson gets in, once again winning the Southern conference. The last 3 times there they dropped their opening game so we won?t dance the victory dance yet. While participating in the big dance is nice, a realist must consider that the company of great teams does not make a great team. Davidson has played well, much thanks to son of ex-NBA star Dell Curry; Stephen Curry for Davidson dropped 20, 30 and 29 in the conference tournament to power Davidson over the other wanna-be George Mason’s of the world. Davidson College makes one, UNC is a lock of course for a one or two seed, Duke should be around a 5-7 seed which is sure to haunt so poor at large bid in the 9-11 slot that has to play them first. Duke may be a tough win for anybody drawing them at such a low spot as perhaps a 5,6 or 7 seed but they can be beat by the right team. There is a reason they sit that low and its not just a bad run of luck. In all Duke losses I ha...
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UNC Blue Blood
2007-03-08 11:41:01
Obviously I need a post about this shot between the eyes, and also to comment on the back and forth about the intention of the play. I will first interject my opinion which is this was an accident. Here me out, he meant to make contact but Gerald Henderson’s clearly did a double take when he saw what had happened. We have all been kidding around with a friend or perhaps a person much smaller than you and realized too late that your fun “push or poke” made way too much contact. After this happens you are left to apologize or let pride force you to walk away and pretend you don’t care. I am NOT saying this was an “accident” or that the hit wasn’t viscous and violent but he clearly made a move which is very unconscious to a player when the game is lost. At this stage of a heated game a person goes through the motions, and the motions is dont let the player make a layup. Gerald Henderson was doing what equates to “insert foul here”,...
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Chuck E Cheese is Classic
2007-03-07 17:39:06
Memories of playing Joust and bank shots into the 50 slot of skeeball. Childhood memories of the robot band and the big purple Elvis bear robot in the side room. Dig dug, Defender, Rastan, Operation Wolf, Firefox (from the movie with Clint Eastwood), Burgertime, Galaga and the thousands of other choices to spend our precious tokens. The pizza coming in the room with the long tables, the ball crawl, the hidden area under the stage and more and more cool things that Chuck E Cheese brought to me when those things were like finding $20 to me is now. All photos from Chuck E Chese in Concord here. Now later in life this feeling isn’t completely lost, and neither is the huge choices with little money spent. Now this is the option that parents need to remember on a Saturday of Sunday afternoon located in Concord. For the past month this has been the $2 getaway for my 2 year old and a getaway from spending any amount of money to enjoy ‘watching her enjoy”. The games are dif...
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Dave Makes Better Eggrolls
2007-03-07 17:39:06
This post is a contribution of cooking and great food ideas from the World’s Greatest Chef David Scott of Charleston, South Carolina. Dave shows us how to cook up dishes that men love to eat in a way that is so easy no man can mess it up. Stop back often to get the latest recipes every week. You can view all Dave’s recipe contributions here. So Dave has outdone himself this time, he refused to make an eggroll and instead made the modern man-version of this classic with the meatroll. Take your traditional eggroll spice it with strong garlic, onion and italian seasoning add a pound of beef and sausage and your getting close to what Davecreates with his spin on the classic eggroll, the Southern meatroll. This latest installation in the Carolina Cooking with Dave series on Charlottecritic.com features some semi-sweet singing int he kitchen and a celebrity guest appearence by Dave Jr. If you have read this far and appreciate the time that goes into Dave’s excellent coo...
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Ishi Japanese Restaurant
2007-03-07 17:39:06
Ishi Japan ese Restaurant 8109 University City Blvd Charlotte, NC 28213 704-921-9219 Ishi Photos In The Gallery Finally got to Ishi Japanese Restaurant And Sushi bar after hearing second hand rave reviews from a few people including our own prior review here from one of our readers. I have also since sat with a family member who is a freshman at UNCC and her father both who raved that we must try Ishi as soon as possible. The rumors of the incredible value at Ishi along with the great food made this possible as I am pretty broke lately for restaurant money. unlike reviews of fancy uptown “bistros” and “4 star affairs” mine are dictated by what’s in my wallet this week and not checks being picked up by “the man”. This is envy talking I know, I admit that much, I am only jealous of larger dining budgets than my own. This location is not what I excpeted as it is very tucked away in the back of the Home Depot plaza right next to Peak Fitness. Th...
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UNCC Reverse Video
2007-03-07 17:39:06
I didnt even know people still gave respect to 311, but this reverse video shot by UNCC student is just too cool when mixed ith the underrated smooth style of 3/11. I had the great honor of seeing 311 live at the Metropole in Pittsburgh, PA many years ago in my youth. The funny twist to this story is that 311 was the headline band that night and rocked us almost deaf the next day, but the opening band was more of the story now that we look back. The opening act for 311 that day was a smalltime somewhat unknown band called KORN. Without having to say more, we got our money’s worth that night. We later had to stay the night in Pittsburgh because 14 inches of snow fell while in the concert and it was more than our Miata could handle. What makes this news on our site? I am gonna keep plugging away till we get some on the scene students to take over covering UNCC stories for us or sending whatever is cool and a worthy read for other students. Enjoy this. Enjoy.
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Five Guys Concord
2007-03-07 17:39:06
Five Guys Concord 7741 Gateway Lane NW Concord, NC, 28207 704-979-1283 All Five Guys Concord Photos So I was reading letters to the editor of the Charlotte Observer food and entertainment section Kathleen Purvis. In one question to the editor was a comment about Five Guys franchise in Concord. The letter proclaimed this place to be fantastic and hearty, and the editor replied with saying she had heard this same rumor and was going to give it a try soon. Well I am happy to say i beat her to it. I was on my way to writing a piece on Chuck E Cheese being a classic part of childhood and a cheap escape for parents when I passed this place in Concord. After fighting the Saturday traffic in Concord, NC I managed to find a parking spot for Five Guys around 6pm on a Saturday. This location is side by side with a drive through Starbucks location so the parking lot is taking a life risk to drive in. Walking up Five Guys struck me as the stepchild of a old favorite restaurant of mine called S...
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Tonys Pizza On Harris
2007-03-07 17:39:06
Tony’s Pizza WT Harris Blvd 1530 Overland Park Lane Suite 1/104 Charlotte, NC 28262 All Tony’s Photos Here Well it was about time to expand upon the very limited exposure to Pizza in Charlotte I have had. The goal of any pizza mission and the aspects of a good pizza “joint” are as follows. Keep in mind the goal is to find a great affordable weekly place that you can reward yourself and the kids with. A Pizza “joint” of choice will become familiar like a glove to you as you are a part of a neighborhood and a good pizza place is a important part as well. 1. Should be affordable with good coupons to be found regularly. 2. Should make great Pizza the way you like it. 3. Should have friendly Italian or New York accented staff or owners. 4. Should have the smell and feel of flour on the floor, red vinyl booths, red pepper shakes and the bell behind the door when you walk in. If you have a pizza joint you love then you understand this feeling that is ex...
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UNCC Football Coming
2007-03-07 17:39:06
Well that vote went well as expected. 78% of students in the largest student vote turnout to date said yes they want the Niners to have football in Charlotte. I am not surprised, when it was asking college students if they want football games. I think much of the counter arguument would fall on deaf ears covered up by big green foam fingers that say “we’re #1″ on them. “Through an online poll, 78 percent of the student body voted to support the fees increase. Now a new advisory committee will look at the feasibility of adding a team. One of the main issues is if there’s enough interest citywide to warrant and pay for another sports team. “It’s pretty fun for me to be able to stand here today and say that this may be the start of something really big,? said Ben Comstock, the student body president at UNCC.” The plan for football brings with it the challenge of student body interest to build and maintain ticket sales. In this writers op...
More About: Football , Ball , Ming , Foot

March Madness Hot Wings
2007-02-28 05:38:02
This post is a contribution of cooking and great food ideas from the World’s Greatest Chef David Scott of Charleston, South Carolina. Dave shows us how to cook up dishes that men love to eat in a way that is so easy no man can mess it up. Stop back often to get the latest recipes every week. You can view all Dave’s recipe contributions here. I hit Dave up for a request on the coming March madness NCAA tourney. I had hopes for “finger foods with flair” unique and heavy enough to fill up a room full of semi-cultured men. Dipping is compulsive behavior around the tourney time of year and seems this year will be an epidemic. Teriyaki hot wings are a sure fire way to impress your fanciest Duke-fan friend, while filling up the 340lb guy for UNC, see the recipe then go eat this recipe. Good morning on this monday! Here’s another episode of Carolina Cooking With Dave. He’s done it again with a crazy array of four flavors for spicing up our chicken. He eve...
More About: March Madness , Wing , Ness , Wings

Your Welcome McDonalds
2007-02-28 05:38:02
I have had a long standing bet with myself in my own mind in regards to McDonald s , and more namely the somewhat shabby McDonalds location by my house on WT Harris by Sugar Creek. This is a bit run down, a bit beat up location that could use a modernization or upgrade from the 80-90’s feel about it. I am in the group that think McDoanlds is a (somewhat) high quality franchise that does it better than many othr competitors. It seems it is not popular to be a franchise or any of the “big boys’ on the net. I had done a search marketing research awhile back and if you search companies with the word “sucks” after their name you invariably find that the largest players in every field have more results returned. Walmart has more “complaints posted on the web” than Target, Microsoft more than Apple, McDonalds more than Burger King, etc etc. This seems to be the root for the little guy root against the establishment mentality showing its ugly head. I ...
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Where Adam Morrison Stands
2007-02-28 05:38:02
Brandon Roy or Adam Morris on, or maybe Andrea Bargnani as the best performace so far by the semi-hot draft of 2006? It was a draft of alot of similar players and similar total package content but perhaps a very wide range of diffferent skill sets and styles. Many thought Morrison was the most ready for the NBA on the offensive end of the game, and likely Roy as the most ready as a toal package. I watched both in College and Roy definately had the NBA body style and confidence so I am not surprised he has the highest point per game this year at 15.3 Point per game. Morrison comes in second of the rookie class at 13.1 point per game and many seem to have labeled him as not living up to the expectations? Id say 13.1 a game on one of the worst teams in the league is really not too bad. I believe (without checking) Wade was 16.1 per game in his first season. I think we should also try to find a way to factor in the overall weakness of Adam’s team in regards to how it slows his abil...
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Dave Makes Spaghetti Carbonara
2007-02-28 05:38:02
This post is a contribution of cooking and great food ideas from the “World’s Greatest Chef” David Scott of Charleston, South Carolina. Dave shows us how to cook up dishes that men love to eat in a way that is so easy no man can mess it up. Stop back often to get the latest recipes every week. You can view all Dave’s recipe contributions here. We are slowly catching up on the posts by Dave. We are using his archived recipes. In the future we wont be posting “by Dave” recipes daily like we are now. Dave has promised us one per week every Monday. With this promise every Tuesday night you can have a new meal from the Southern kitchen master and our very appreciated contributor from this day forward. Here is Dave making up Spaghetti Carbon ara. How can you possible not like eating pasta with cheese and bacon? Just the ingredients of this dish served on side dish plates would be great, so when its cooked to perfection this is a great dish that will pl...
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Olive Garden Northlake
2007-02-28 05:38:02
Olive Garden North lake Location 8225 Northlake Commons Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28216 704-494-4473 www.olivegarden.com (No Pictures from the meal as my camera konked out on me, sorry about that) Olive Garden? how can a person actually write a review about the Olive Garden? The Olive Garden and the public view of it has always eluded and confused me. I see people and critics using it as a measuring stick of who to dis, or a restaurant with about as much street credibility as Kevin Federline in Harlem. But why the dis, what?s the problem, and what is the source of this lack of credibility. I find the answer is generally linked back to the “hate the establishment mentality that is everywhere in society. people hat Wal-Mart, but love to save, people laugh at McDonald’s but their fries taste better than any caviar on the planet, and lastly patrons mock Olive garden as being a “Wonder bread wop” (quote Tony Soprano), but the fact is they have the best bread and salad y...
More About: Live , Lake , Olive

Babel Is Bad - Period
2007-02-28 05:38:02
Of course Babe l lost, thats generally the end result for a movie that sucked. I am not going to mix words since I lost 2 1/2 hours of life to this movie that ranks right next to Elizabethtown, Bandidas, Weatherman and I “heart” Huckabees for the worst movies I have seen in the last few years. So if this movie came and went with a small amount of chatter that would be the end of it, as not all movies appeal to all people, but the fact that it was nominated is a complete joke. This movie seems to have stacked up alot of good critic’s reviews and then a huge percentage of “users or patrons” that thought it to be beyond bad. I dont see this type of diverse opionion without issues. This movie was and is boring, way too long for such little conflict or story, unconnected to itself and completely without a point, plot or actual story of interest. This movie spends so long trying to unravel itself in a slow and interesting way that you will find that you just ...
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BBQ Inspired By Dave
2007-02-28 05:38:02
So man was it hard to read through and watch the sizzling of the pork steaks, BBQ and “southern fried everything’s” that Dave was making in our last post about the Chef Dave series from South Carolina. The photos from this little (big) meal are here in the gallery as well. Next time you see a caterer cutting little radishes in to the shapes of flowers I want you to take a huge pot of this pork hash and brain him with it. Cooking With Dave post I have since contacted Chef Dave directly and he sounded pretty excited about showing more people what he loves to do. Dave promises us some special and new recipe videos in the coming weeks to give everyone some march madness cooking ideas. In hopes that Dave reads this I am asking him to give me something for my grill for the upcoming NCAA tournament. I need a juicy southern style chicken or pork meal that I can grill and lather up with sauce while I watch the basketball games this march. I am sure Chef Dave will hit us wit...
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NASCAR is almost a sport
2007-02-28 05:38:02
So is it a sport or not? YES: Table tennis, boxing and hockey NO: NASCAR, Golf and Swimming I have heard some radio conversation the last few days about NASCAR in the realm of sports as a whole. I have also read a recent blog post by the Charlotte Observer blogger asking what is and isn?t a sport. This conversation had been settled by my and a friend in our living room one late Friday night. We came to a final and perfect conclusion and system. First off, you must approach all categorizations with no bias or predeterminations. I read a book recently about Anthropology that stated “you?d be amazed how many groundbreaking discoveries have gone on to prove the exact theory the researcher had preconcluded”. What this is to say is that if you go in expecting to find something a certain way, that is generally the way you will decipher it. So for the what is a sport system we first broke up the categories that each “activity” would fall into and predetermined what e...
More About: Sport , Nascar , Port , Most , Spor

Southern Cooking With Dave
2007-02-28 05:38:02
One of many cooking lessons on the web. Cooking gravy with Dave brings us the trick to good southern gravy and how to make it think and white as you like it. A nice authentic recipe and clear instructions to South ern Style Gravy. Southern White Gravy With Dave Next up Cooking With Dave brings us Southern Fried Steaks, another 7 minute lesson to authentic Charlotte Southern style steaks. Southern Fried Pork Steaks With Dave And last up is the homerun from “Cooking With Dave” the world’s greatest chef (according to him). Daves thick southern style and accent caught my eye, and his ability to doo 100 things with pork makes him all about what Charlottecritic.com loves the most. Thanks to Dave for 3 nice video lessons in the klitchen. Southern BBQ Pork With Dave We have shot Dave an email and asked him to contribute more of these great southern authentic style recipes for our readers and get you men in the kitchen making some pork.
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Dave Makes Pork Ribs
2007-02-28 05:38:02
This post is a contribution of cooking and great food ideas from the World’s Greatest Chef David Scott of Charleston, South Carolina. Dave shows us how to cook up dishes that men love to eat in a way that is so easy no man can mess it up. Stop back often to get the latest recipes every week. You can view all Dave’s recipe contributions here. It has officially come to be and the world’s greatest chef from Davecancook.com has decided to bring the best of South Carolina to us in Charlotte. Dave puts out a video series and is a youtube contributor with his cooking for men. Dave cooks southern style meals and dishes, with southern accent for southern tables to share and pass. You can visit and subscribe to Dave online at Youtube on his page here, or just stop back and see his regular contribution to his neighbors in North Carolina and more specifically the readers at Charlottecritic.com in Charlotte, NC. In the latest adddition to the series added special for the reader...
More About: Pork , Make