Moving to Charlotte - Thoughts?

Delg8tor

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Even when I went to UF I was never a Sonny's fan. Never liked their sauces. And Their brisket was always dry.
 

TheDouglas78

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This is all great info guys! Thanks! I know there is better BBQ than Sonny's but I have a soft spot for it cause my Dad took us to the original on Waldo Road many a time growing up.

Ever go to the original Sonny's on nickel beer night... it corresponded with my dad's work softball league night. So they would all play softball, then get all the families would go to Sonny's for dinner.
 

AlexDaGator

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The original Sonny's WAS good. Plus, the original "Sonny" is a huge Gator fan and used to post on the old board (can't remember his screen name now, something boating related I think). It's the franchises that weren't so good. It is my understanding that he's sold all his interest in the business.

A few years back, they revamped their system. Now, much of what they sell is pre-made. They just warm it up. Rea BBQ joints run out of food. Think about it. It takes hours to smoke a butt. They can't make it on demand. Plus, if they don't sell out all they cooked, they go broke on the waste (real BBQ joints don't serve reheated BBQ the next day).

There is one near my house. First time I ordered the brisket it was sublime; I mean really fantastic, so much better than I expected. I've ordered it a couple more times after that and it turned out to be hit or miss--bad, OK, bad, bad. That was enough for me. I'm not going back.

Alex.
 

JimtheGator

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The original Sonny's WAS good. Plus, the original "Sonny" is a huge Gator fan and used to post on the old board (can't remember his screen name now, something boating related I think). It's the franchises that weren't so good. It is my understanding that he's sold all his interest in the business.

A few years back, they revamped their system. Now, much of what they sell is pre-made. They just warm it up. Rea BBQ joints run out of food. Think about it. It takes hours to smoke a butt. They can't make it on demand. Plus, if they don't sell out all they cooked, they go broke on the waste (real BBQ joints don't serve reheated BBQ the next day).

There is one near my house. First time I ordered the brisket it was sublime; I mean really fantastic, so much better than I expected. I've ordered it a couple more times after that and it turned out to be hit or miss--bad, OK, bad, bad. That was enough for me. I'm not going back.

Alex.
I think his screen name was NautiGator.
 

LagoonGator68

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I think his screen name was NautiGator.

It was Nautigator and he had a place on Santa Fe Lake as did Urbie. Nauti always said Urbs would never leave as long as there was water in that lake.
Sonny's son had a serious illness and may have died and I believe he stopped posting then.
 

playzwtrux

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Sonny's son passed away in January 2011 from cancer. Sonny will be 87 this year, so there's no surprise that he's not posting any more.

He no longer owns any of the locations outright. Like Sas said, their BBQ is meh at best and low on my list of places i think about get'n bbq from. Of course, some locations are better than others, it's definitely not what it was though.

sorry for continuing the hijacking of the thread, but maybe it can get back on track now that the NautiGator mystery is resolved.
 
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NavetG8r

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You'll like it in NC as long as you aren't a transgender. It's a beautiful state with lots of places to go get out and do family stuff together.
 

BostonGator84

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Thanks guys! House is going on the market this week...so this is coming up. Appreciate all the insights, especially on the BBQ.
 

Double Gator Dad

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I moved to Charlotte a few years back from Tampa and we were very excited about the move based upon my many trips to Charlotte in the past where I found friendly people, a southern culture, and a reasonable cost of living.

Let me just say that Charlotte is not what we thought it was.
As others have mentioned, Charlotte is an extremely liberal city that has lost any sense of a southern culture or even southern people. Being a somewhat older guy, I still enjoy reading the newspaper and keeping up with local events and happenings but not anymore. After three years, I just couldn't take it anymore and cancelled my subscription, They can spew their garbage all they want but I don't have to pay for it.

As many have stated, there are areas that are better than others such as South Park, Myers Park, and Ballantyne but you should seriously consider (depending on where your job is located) South Carolina. It offers a much lower cost of living and does not have a socialist, activist city council to deal with. The mayor and the city council created all this bathroom crap and have really helped the city's schools diminish while funding meaningful endeavors such as; NASCAR Hall of Fame (that is near bankruptcy), a street car to nowhere downtown, and a renovation of Panther Stadium all the while complaining about budget shortfalls. If I could make the decision over again, I would forego my home in Ballantyne and look more closely at the South Carolina option.

I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but I feel like you need to know what you are getting into. North Carolina is great (Asheville, wineries everywhere, lots of outdoor activities, great weather) but Charlotte is the worst part of the state.

Good Luck!!
 

URGatorBait

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So uhh, Boston.
Did you move to Charlotte and are you still alive?
 

crosscreekcooter

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I moved to Charlotte a few years back from Tampa and we were very excited about the move based upon my many trips to Charlotte in the past where I found friendly people, a southern culture, and a reasonable cost of living.

Let me just say that Charlotte is not what we thought it was.
As others have mentioned, Charlotte is an extremely liberal city that has lost any sense of a southern culture or even southern people. Being a somewhat older guy, I still enjoy reading the newspaper and keeping up with local events and happenings but not anymore. After three years, I just couldn't take it anymore and cancelled my subscription, They can spew their garbage all they want but I don't have to pay for it.

As many have stated, there are areas that are better than others such as South Park, Myers Park, and Ballantyne but you should seriously consider (depending on where your job is located) South Carolina. It offers a much lower cost of living and does not have a socialist, activist city council to deal with. The mayor and the city council created all this bathroom crap and have really helped the city's schools diminish while funding meaningful endeavors such as; NASCAR Hall of Fame (that is near bankruptcy), a street car to nowhere downtown, and a renovation of Panther Stadium all the while complaining about budget shortfalls. If I could make the decision over again, I would forego my home in Ballantyne and look more closely at the South Carolina option.

I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but I feel like you need to know what you are getting into. North Carolina is great (Asheville, wineries everywhere, lots of outdoor activities, great weather) but Charlotte is the worst part of the state.

Good Luck!!
This +1000
My brother has lived in Charlotte for the last 15 years. I hear the same thing from him. Visit Ft Mill SC. It's like a bedroom community but with much friendlier taxes.
 

gardnerwebbgator

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but Charlotte is the worst part of the state.

Agree with everything up to this point. Ever hear of Durham or Fayetteville?

Hopefully after tonight and last, the people in the city will realize just how incompetent Roberts is and vote her out. Hell, Cannon was crooked as hell but at least he had a clue how to run things.
 

BostonGator84

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We actually close on our house next week in Huntersville, just outside of Charlotte. Been pretty crazy, following the riots and the gas shortages.
 

Double Gator Dad

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Agree with everything up to this point. Ever hear of Durham or Fayetteville?

Hopefully after tonight and last, the people in the city will realize just how incompetent Roberts is and vote her out. Hell, Cannon was crooked as hell but at least he had a clue how to run things.

I doubt anything will change. We moved here in 2012 and have watched the city elect three incompetent mayors and then wonder why the city deteriorates.
Cannon lives, well his family lives, in my neighborhood and I bet he could run again in a few years and win due to the idiocy in the city.
 

gardnerwebbgator

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I doubt anything will change. We moved here in 2012 and have watched the city elect three incompetent mayors and then wonder why the city deteriorates.
Cannon lives, well his family lives, in my neighborhood and I bet he could run again in a few years and win due to the idiocy in the city.

Cannon and Foxx, despite being crooked as hell an Obamasshole cronies, run circles around Roberts as leaders.
 

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