Greetings from Carrboro,

I hope that marketing person is rich. But let’s be honest, they’re probably not. Instead they’re most likely somewhere in the middle of Seattle living a life relegated to infamy. Because after the fact, trotting out @pumpkinspicegal as your instagram handle in an attempt to claim cultural relevance just seems sad. And, of course, no one will believe you. And even if you were the one to first say “pumpkin spice” at a Starbucks’ marketing roundtable in 2003, it doesn’t have quite the same gravitas as, say, creating the first covid vaccine.

But no doubt that the autumnal flavor is the fire ant of the culinary world; you can’t stop it. We all just have to deal. There is both a cold and hot pumpkin spice latte (#PSL) available at your neighborhood Starbucks – in Thailand. There are now pumpkin spice dog treats. Cross my heart. This is not a trend that is slowing down anytime soon. And it being October, how could we, as mere Carrboro-ites, resist?

So here goes. The Acme pumpkin spice moon pie with salted caramel and dark chocolate. It doesn’t roll off the tongue quite like the ubiquitous PSL, but it is marvelously delicious. Some people call them whoopie pies or, in Pittsburgh, by the unfortunate moniker of a “gob.” But you can just call it the pumpkin spice thing – or point – and we’ll understand.

And did I mention soft shell crabs? They were greeted with a certain unabashed fanfare when they arrived this morning. But we only have what we have. Even so, it felt like winning the lottery. Well, you know, one of those Power 5 scratch-offs that continually elude me. Not quite the 1.5 billion dollar bonanza that some lucky soul won in California last night. Hey. Maybe that guy should pay @pumpkinspicegal a couple million bucks. I seriously doubt the cash would be missed.

There are still 4 tickets left for our Sagamore Spirit whiskey tasting tomorrow at Atlas. Not a bad way to start the weekend. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here. Hope you can join us.

This weekend @ Acme: Soft shell crabs! Acme tomato plate. Pumpkin moon pies. Grilled Carolina quail with mountain apples. Pan-seared mahi-mahi. Brussels sprouts. Acme cornbread. Chili-rubbed NY strip steak. Okra gumbo. Fried shishito peppers. Acme wedge salad. Pecan-crusted fried chicken. Oyster po’ boy sliders. Shrimp cocktail. Pork tomahawk with corn pudding. Southern tomato pie. Weekend cocktails. Acme smashburger. Shooting Point oysters on the half-shell. Scuppernong pie. Blackened salmon. Pan-seared sea scallops. Weekends are better here. Including Sunday Brunch.

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

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme