Mailbag: 40 feedback letters on best burgers, STDs, music, South 21, airport development and more

In response to: Best burgers in Charlotte? Here’s the definitive ranking of Charlotte’s top 10 burger spots

“Maybe your next article should be ‘Best Kale Salads in Charlotte’ although we both know, kale is nature’s biggest mistake.” – M

Ted: Heirloom & Chopt.

“I’m a Weight Watcher. I will tell you, a burger at SmashBurger is 46 points. You only get to eat 30 points worth of food a day. So, if your cholesterol is up, I can’t imagine what the scale said! Take care of yourself. Food critics only taste the food – they don’t eat the whole thing! I enjoy reading your stuff. It would be terrible if all this uber eating in the name of journalism turned into a gigantic heart attack for you!” – N

“Missing Mr. K’s, The Liberty…and really Bang Bang #1? Their patties are like a quarter inch thick! But not surprised CA would go with a gourmet option. #pretentiousmuch” – A

“Wait. What about Jack Beagle’s Blue Bayou burger?!” – J

“Brooks is a clear #1 based off longevity. Bang Bang is 1A.” – R

“Five guys is still the best burger anywhere.” – J

“As someone who’s had all these I’d say this list is pretty spot on. I would add Crepe Cellar, Workman’s Friend, Davidson Street Public House and Bistro La Bon if you dig a big fancy burger” – N

“Can’t take this list seriously if Mr. K’s isn’t even in the top 10.” – T

“Can’t take any list seriously that doesn’t have The Liberty.” – R

“Foxcroft for sure is better then a lot of them.” – A

“Cowfish should be higher. Kickstand shouldn’t be there at all.” – F

“The haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate🎼 can anyone say Cowbell Burger and Whiskey Bar!?” – B

“Bad Daddy’s is way better than Bang Bang Burgers.” – L

“That lil bento box burger from cow fish looks sad AF!” – S

“Ted’s on the take! This Bang Bang ranking can’t be explained any other way. I demand to see his foodie scorecard & an audit of his checking account too.” – E

“If you haven’t tried Chubz Famous Chili burgers on Woodlawn Rd you’re missing out!! Order the deluxe burger if you like things ‘animal style” – S

“Before your cholesterol drops too much you should swing by Bob’s Carry Out – Pile ‘Em Up! (3422 Statesville Ave). This place has a great burger. A large patty, with a nice crust. Nothing over the top, just a properly done big burger. Either with lettuce & tomato or southern style. Both ways are fine. Good crispy fries too. Be prepared to wait a few minutes at lunchtime.” – T

“Good list, if the criteria is ‘flat top / griddle’. And for the most part, they are all ‘dives’…love ’em. Next list should be a “step up..splurge- burger”. These may be painful on the wallet, but no doubt part of a true top 10: Oak, Rooster’s (both), Corkbuzz, Workman’s Friend, Cap Grill, Reid’s, Palm, Improper Pig, Cowbell, Liberty.” – B

“Reid’s burgers. They are half price on Tuesdays. Also Reid’s steak burger patties (from the butcher) are the best patties I’ve ever had.” – J

“This doesn’t seem like a good burger comparison. Cheeseburgers vs ones with chili, slaw, sauces… The cheeseburger is old and boring. It’s the Cheerios of burgers.” – T

In response to: I went to Cuba, met gracious people and realized how pretentious we can be

“Very cool. Wish the same kind of compassion and awareness was happening here in Charlotte. You don’t have to be overseas to love and impact the Latino community.” – L

“My son-in-law’s family escaped Cuba many years ago so stories like this really tug at my heart. I’ll remember this story the next time I’m in line at Starbucks and grumbling about the long line in front of me.” – J

In response to: Can Charlotte become a music town?

“Given how many music venues have closed in the past year, I don’t think Charlotte is committed to making this happen.” – K

“No, Charlotte is a podcast town.” – T

“Yes, Charlotte could easily be the polka capital of the United States.” – W

“Stupid f***ing article. If you took any time to familiarize yourself with the local talent maybe you would understand how idiotic it is. Just because the City of Charlotte doesn’t support local music does not mean it doesn’t exist. It’s half the reason for punk rock in Charlotte… because downtown Charlotte and Center City Partners f***ing suck ***.” – A

“When I moved to Charlotte 20 years ago, there was Music Everywhere. Most bars had live bands at least twice a week and generally acoustic musicians during the weeknights, Center City Fest was held, literally, in every green space & parking lot uptown (I mean, Bob Dylan played in a charlotte parking lot for goodness sake), restaurants & bars would have huge parties, hiring local musicians to play them, music clubs were packed, basements of bars housed (sort of) secret, swanky jazz clubs, Charlotte was home to one of the most well known music stores on the east coast that drew famous musicians, everyone knew the music scene here and who was in it. It was organic, it was alive & it was spectacular. In order to successfully create a ‘Music Everywhere’ initiative in Charlotte, I think the city should first, deconstruct how ‘Music Everywhere’ was removed in the first place.” – E

In response to: How I evaluated my Charlotte daycare options

“As a director of a Charlotte 5 star preschool, I suggest you go with your gut. Parents need to feel 100% safe when they walk out the door. Great to hear you look up their state score. Know their star rating/QRIS score is also important. Culture, staff education and turnover is also key in interviews with the school. And, If I may step in my soapbox for just a moment… We are early childhood educators, we care for children not days, so child care is preferred terminology.” – A

In response to: Will land by Charlotte’s airport become a destination instead of a departure point?

“This is ridiculous. Look at any airport around the whole country. The areas surrounding it are always beat down, poor, industrial, etc. Its because nobody wants to hang out/live/work next to an airport. Noise, pollution, traffic, etc. That just isn’t going to change. And because of that, property is usually dirt cheap, so airports buy up land around them for future (airport) expansion and to appease people who have lost home values. But then occasionally someone forgets why they own all this land and they end up developing it…. into something where people complain there is an airport next door, even though it was there first. There are plenty of good places to develop around the city…. lets leave the airport area alone. It is a transportation hub that does a fantastic job and needs to stay that way, along with the ability to expand in the future. It doesn’t need to be another cliche “destination”… lets put those where people actually want to be.”

“Fingers crossed that we can put a live theater venue in that ‘Destination Entertainment’ block on CLT Gateway! Who do we need to talk to in order to incorporate some art in this district? There’s barely any room in uptown for public sculptures (although we’re seeing a lot more murals popping up- yay!), and performers are losing their homes left and right around here. I’d love to see some new development include the community of artists in their plans.” – K

In response to: This throwback spot is the ultimate warm weather date

“Give yourself a day in Stanly County… 1. Go hike or explore Morrow Mountain State Park (Little farther drive than Crowders, but less crowded) 2. Eat at El Ranchito Mexican Restaurante (Great food) 3. Badin Road Drive-In Theater (Right outside Albemarle).” – A

In response to: It’s 2017 and STD rates in Charlotte are out of control. Why aren’t we using protection?

“Sex ed early and thoroughly is vital to lowering STDs and pregnancy rates, along with accessible birth control. Anyone who pushes abstinence is delusional. Talk to your kids about sex and help them with condoms or other birth control when they are teens. Better to have it than to not.” – J

“Because you’re all a bunch of skanks, clearly.” – L

“This entire piece is nearly exclusively directed toward straight people. The only slight mention of gay folks specifically (and not even by name) is the mention of Grindr. (This is a glaring omission given the demographics where rates are higher.) Also, no mention of horrible sex ed curriculum in this state and elsewhere, which I’d imagine has far more to do with sexual health than the presence of dating apps.” – M

“If this is not NEWS enough to #SLOWDOWN while getting to know some one then something is seriously wrong with this city!” – A

“It’s the south. Do they even teach sex Ed down here?” – K

“According to research, because people are lying about having been tested “clean” just to get laid. And because men are taking condoms off without the women’s consent. The thing that suprised me most about condoms wasn’t really the uptick in media coverage, but the statistics in a few of those articles. Around 80% of men had tried to convince a woman not to use them, either through coercion, lying, force, or just taking it off. I think around 30% took it off. There are also women who prefer not to use them too & who may also lie about negative tests to make men comfortable with it. I haven’t seen the numbers on that anywhere yet.” – R

In response to: Pop the Top is your all-in-one local beer stop with a chill living room vibe

“Pop the Top positions itself as a dog friendly bottle shop. Excited to welcome them to the neighborhood, I stopped over there last week on my evening walk with my dog. It was raining outside. We didn’t get two feet inside the door before we got kicked out. No dogs allowed was the message, and not communicated in a very nice way. Oddly, they did have a basket of dog toys by the door that dog tried to hit up as we were ushered out the door. Mixed signals man.” – A

In response to: Cash Confessional: A week of spending in Charlotte on a combined $156,000 salary

“I enjoy reading a cash confidential from parents with kids!” – L

“I have no comment on any specific cash confessional, I just wanted to say that I find the armchair quarterbacking on the Cash Confessional articles incredibly grating. Everyone thinks the way they manage their money is the best and if you ‘waste’ your money on coffee, your dog, or (God forbid), A ROTH 401k INSTEAD OF AN IRA WTF ARE YOU THINKING, you are some kind of moron. I tell people just out of college to ask themselves two questions: 1. Are you saving money? 2. Are you spending your discretionary income on things that actually make you happy? If you can honestly answer yes to both (#2 might require some soul searching), then you’re doing really well for a twenty-something.” – A

In response to: Have you eaten the $5.65 Super Boy Hamburger served curbside?

“You failed to mention that one of the “waiters” is a carhop named Willie. He has been there for over 60 years.” – K

“Hopefully South 21 will not turn into another hipster burger joint. We have enough of bearded hipster places with stupid prices. One of the few places that I remember my parents taking us as a treat. Miss the one on South Blvd.” – J

“I love South 21 and it’s a part of my upbringing.. A couple of years ago.. I left my ignition on and drained my battery during lunch.. the curb side guy jumped my car and i was very very impressed… The South 21 is a wonderful Charlotte Tradition… The cole slaw is still world class.” – S

“South 21 protip: order a cherry Sprite with your meal. P.S. They have the ‘good’ ice.” – G