To this day, my oldest daughter calls me “Daddio.” Like me, the girl relishes nicknames. (College sophomore that she is, I still call her “Goose.”) When we lived out in the wilds of Orange County, a young boy came over for a play date. The kids were 5. Maybe 6. It was the usual array of endless snacks and the much ballyhooed denouement of feeding limp, old carrots to our neighbor’s horse; I knew the drill. When the boy’s mom came to pick him up at the appointed hour, he matter-of-factly informed her that people in the country called their fathers “daddio.” And that horses had really big, really yellow teeth.

In truth, the only times that either of my daughters ever call me “Father” is when I do something truly embarrassing in public and they are attempting some form of filial damage control. I’m pretty sure that’s why I always forget that Father’s Day includes me. It seems to be more fit as a remembrance of my dad; he of the knee-high socks and Bay Rum aftershave. For whatever reason, the moniker just won’t hold on to me – think a greased watermelon on a hot summer day.

Regardless, Father’s Day is just about here. Or Daddio’s Day. Or, you know, whatever you want to call it. Because there are millions of different dads. With millions of equally wonderful kids. And on Sunday, June 18^th we want to celebrate them all. Even me. Brunch and dinner. Gravy and grits and greens. Burgers and bacon and beer. Because at Acme, we know what dads love. But please understand that knee-high socks are really not required. Really.

This weekend @ Acme: Carolina rainbow trout. Perfect beets. Creole gumbo. Cast-iron skillet cornbread. Grilled Hanger steak. Tuna tostada. Crab Cakes. Individual pecan pie a la mode. Spring pea and ricotta hand pie. Housemade ravioli. Wedge Salad. Cheeseburgers. Fried Calamari. Pecan-crusted fried chicken. Summer vacation chocolate brownie sundae.  Flash-fried flounder. Pickled ramps. Strawberry and blackberry shortcake. Watermelon Sangria. June is a good thing.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme