Latest news with #SouthernFood
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
10 Things You'll Only Find In A Southern Dorm Room
We don't need to tell you that the Southern college experience is a little different than those you'd have elsewhere: In this part of the world, campuses are shaded by live oaks or palmetto trees; game days are marked by sundresses and sports coats; and dining halls don't shy away from serving biscuits and gravy. Southern residence halls have their own flair and personality too. Here are nine things you'll only find in a Southern dorm room, according to our editors and readers. Related: 62 Reasons Why College Is Better In The South It's no secret that we love a monogram around here, and college students tend to embrace this custom to the extreme, from customized bedding and towels to shower caddies and book bags. Plus, in a shared space, personalization isn't just a matter of style, it's a matter of practicality; if your towels somehow end up in the communal washer with someone else's, it's much easier to reclaim yours when they bear your initials in colorful embroidery floss. Old dormitories do their best, but there's some Southern weather with which no AC unit can compete. That's why you can count on the presence of a big box fan (or two) and a dehumidifier in just about every room in the building. Like any dorm room, you're sure to find plenty of nibbles to satisfy cravings in the dining hall's off hours—just expect them to be a little different on a Southern campus. Count on Goo Goo Clusters and Moon Pies in the snack bin, boiled peanuts and Duke's mayo (in case they use a different brand in the college kitchen) in the mini fridge, and instant grits on top of the microwave since there's no stove for stirring together the real stuff. There's not much to love about the fluorescent lighting in a resident hall, so you can count on Southern students to bring in fixtures and lamps that better reflect their personal style and make for a welcoming setting with more ambiance. We've even seen chandeliers installed, though we're not quite sure how those folks made it happen. Lamps with shades that coordinate with the rest of the decor are an easier way to set the tone without any electrical work. We tend to overdo it sometimes in these parts, and our penchant for maximalism is never more evident than in our decorating. We've heard of more than one Southern mom calling on her interior designer to twirl up a scheme for her college student's dorm room. So if you ever stumble into a totally transformed cinder-block space, and think, 'Wow, this looks like it was done by a professional,' just know that it probably was. You'll often see raised twin beds in a dorm room, as they allow for more storage, so a long dust ruffle or bed skirt (whichever you want to call it) is an easy way to hide away all the extra belongings while maintaining the polished look they're accustomed to in a bedroom at home. Academics and extracurriculars require a lot of planning, but the Southern college social scene inspires its own kind of coordination. From Greek life mixers to game days, there's plenty to keep students occupied in the after-class hours, and you can count on them to be logging it all on an oversized dry erase calendar that can easily be updated from month to month. Think mounted deer heads and ducks are only for the farm camp? Think again. When it comes to the sporting crowd, don't be shocked if they pack up their favorite furry or feathery friends and bring them along to college. If you've ever spent a Saturday in The Grove at Ole Miss, it'll come as no surprise that you can find everything from giant hair rollers to make-up setting spray in the beauty collection of a Southern college student. You won't find a Southern dorm room without plenty of paraphernalia in the school's signature colors. From old-school pennants and giant flags to shakers and game day buttons, no space is complete without a touch of collegiate pride. Read the original article on Southern Living
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular Southern fast food chain known for 'biscuits and gravy' declares war on Taco Bell with new menu item
Bojangles is stepping into the breakfast burrito game — and taking a not-so-subtle swipe at Taco Bell in the process. The Southern fast-food chain launched its new Breakfast Bo-Ritos on Monday, packing sausage, eggs, crispy Bo-Rounds, Monterey Jack cheese, and sausage gravy into a tortilla, with a side of Texas Pete hot sauce. The burritos, which will typically cost $4.49, will be available at participating locations through mid-August. 'We're always listening to our fans, and the Bo-Rito is our bold, flavorful answer to their craving for something new at breakfast,' Bojangles CMO Tom Boland told 'It's everything we love about a classic Bojangles breakfast, all wrapped up and ready to eat. We can't wait for folks to try it.' The breakfast offering came a week after Taco Bell brought back Crispy Chicken Tacos and debuted Crispy Chicken Burritos to celebrate its 'crispy chicken era.' Bojangles, known for its 'biscuits and gravy' and expensive sandwich options, operates over 800 restaurants, making it one of the nation's fastest-growing quick-service chicken chains. Its restaurant count is nothing compared to Taco Bell's amount of over 8,000. However, both of them are rapidly expanding, and have been on successful financial streaks. Bojangles has proven to be a crucial reason why chicken sales have spiked by 9 percent this year. The 48-year-old business started off with one restaurant in 1977 before opening restaurants in 16 additional states. The chain became private in 2018 after it was acquired by Durational Capital Management LP and The Jordan Company, LP for $593.7 million. With its business continuing to skyrocket, Bojangles is exploring the idea to sell itself for over $1.5 billion. 'Bojangles has been growing, which supports a high valuation, but it also has potential for further expansion which is baked into the purchase price,' Retail expert Neil Saunders, of GlobalData, told 'Any buyer would want to ramp up store openings and geographical expansion as part of a playbook to recoup their investment.' The potential business opportunity was announced shortly after its major competitor Dave's Hot Chicken agreed to sell to Roark Capital for about $1 billion. Other competitors in eye-watering deals include the Subway sandwich chain for $9.6 billion and Jersey Mike's for $8 billion. Bojangles is not planning on stopping its nationwide expansion plan. The chain signed a deal to expand its restaurants in Southern California and is aiming to sell out the Los Angeles market. It's also adding new restaurants in Houston, all of which should be open by September. 'These expansions mark a bold step forward as we continue our journey to bring Bojangles' signature menu and Southern hospitality to even more communities,' said Brooks Speirs, vice president of franchise development. has reached out to Bojangles for comment about its new Bo-Ritos.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Beloved' Restaurant Unexpectedly Closes After Nearly 20 Years
Sarris Cafe, a popular restaurant and cafe in Pelham, Alabama, announced last Tuesday that it was closing up shop after two decades of service. The cafeteria-style establishment known for its Southern favorites shared the sad news in a Facebook post. The closure was effective immediately, with Tuesday being the final day of service. "We are incredibly grateful for the love, support and memories shared with each and every one of you," the post reads. "Your loyalty made this more than a cafe--it became a community, a home, a family. "Thank you for letting us serve you. We will cherish these moments forever." Opened by George Sarris, an immigrant from Greece in 2005, Sarris Cafe had been owned since 2016 by Nick Sarris, George's nephew. According to the longtime proprietor, financial concerns were the reason for the sudden shutdown. 'The profit margins aren't there like they used to be and margins for food are up higher than they were, so it's kind of a break-even restaurant right now," Sarris told "I was keeping it open for the employees, but I just got to a point where it was too much for me to not have anything coming back from it.' Fans of the restaurant shared their disappointment in the comments' section of the Sarris Cafe Facebook post. "So sad to hear this. My sister and I ate there every Sunday. Great food and wonderful people. Please tell Nicole and Jasmine we will miss them and we will miss all of you!" one woman wrote. "Sarris Cafe, you will be deeply missed - not just for your amazing food, but for the love and warmth you brought to our community," a second woman added. "I'm so sorry! What a loss for all of us in Pelham!" a third said. The official Sarris Cafe website does not list the restaurant as closed yet, but its menu page only includes the food options for May 27, the last day of business. 'Beloved' Restaurant Unexpectedly Closes After Nearly 20 Years first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 1, 2025
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Dolly Parton brings Southern comfort to frozen food in new partnership
Dolly Parton has music hits that span decades, but now she's opening up about a new initiative involving her efforts to bring Southern comfort food to family tables. Parton is releasing her own line of frozen meals, including chicken and dumplings, shrimp and grits and country fried steak. During "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday, Parton said the inspiration for the idea came from her childhood and family. "I am a good Southern cook. I grew up eating good, Southern food and learned how to cook it coming from a big family and my aunts and my mom and my grandmas. So that's just a natural thing for country women to know how to cook," she said. Parton added it stemmed from the success with her baking mixes with Duncan Hines. "We thought, well, what else can we do because everybody loved it," Parton said. "I have always wanted to have my own line of frozen foods, where you can really have – there's good dishes, and just reach out into the refrigerator, pull them out and just eat them. Just heat and eat." Beyond her desire to create these Southern-style dishes, Parton spoke about the loss of her husband, Carl Dean. She said she's grateful for the love and support she's received since his death in March. The two were married for more than 60 years. "I've been staying busy, which that's always better for me. Of course… when you lose someone you love and when you have been with them for 60 years, that's a big loss," Parton said. "You have to learn new patterns, new ways, new thoughts and all that. I'll always miss him, but I try to bring him into all the things I'm doing." When asked about an online petition to rename the Nashville airport after her, Parton laughed, saying, "I'm very flattered. … I don't think anybody's that serious about that. We all make jokes about if it was that. ... It's a nice compliment."
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SU Graduation Weekend Rush: Families Dive into Syracuse's Small Buisnesses
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)—Downtown Syracuse is loud, lively, and packed this weekend, with graduation celebrations filling Armory Square and local businesses buzzing. One spot that's right in the middle of the action is The Whiskey Coop, a new fan-favorite known for its delicious Southern-style fried chicken sandwiches. 'We've been booked solid all weekend,' says Joe Shutter-Beaver, the manager at The Whiskey Coop. 'The kitchen went full speed from 4 p.m. until we closed at 10 p.m. last night, and the bar stayed packed until 1 a.m. It's been non-stop, but that's what we love about this weekend.' Graduation weekend brings a unique energy to the city, bringing thousands of out-of-towners to the heart of Syracuse. Many choose to celebrate the occasion with a meal at local restaurants. For The Whiskey Coop, that means back-to-back tables, nonstop orders, and plenty of celebrations, making it one of the year's busiest weekends. 'We fry our chicken the Southern classic way—in pork lard. You won't find a better chicken sandwich in Upstate New York,' says Joe, nodding at the restaurant's most popular feature. With the crowd, Syracuse's streets packed with visitors, and parking spaces at a premium, Joe and his team have made a plan of attack: 'We staffed extra heavy. I told all the staff to leave early because parking is going to be an issue. The streets are packed, hotels are full, but we're ready for it,' he says. The energy is contagious, and not just the customers feel it. Graduation brings a different kind of energy. Families are emotional, everyone's in a celebratory mood, and for us, it's a rush we look forward to. 'Everybody is having a good time,' Joe says. 'That's what we're all about—a good time bar. When you leave here, you'll feel like you made a best friend in your server.' Walk Away from the Maddness: Stretch your legs with a short drive to Chittenango Falls or visit Burnet Park and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Sip and Celebrate: Grab a toast-worthy drink at local favorites like Middle Ages Brewing, Eastwood Brewing, or 1911 Tasting Room. Shop Local: From Bee Kind in Tipp Hill to Wildflowers Armory downtown, there's no shortage of local gifts to mark the occasion. Wine Trips: Head to Skaneateles for a sip at Anyela's Vineyards or enjoy a sunset over Strigo Vineyards in Baldwinsville. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
