Greetings from Carrboro,

I was not impressed. Of course, standing in line for what felt like eternity didn’t help. The Mona Lisa turned out to be, well, the Mona Lisa. From afar. With lots of euro-jostling. I’m not exactly sure what I thought seeing it in person would be like. My only urgent epiphany was that going to the bathroom before getting in line is always a good idea.

I’ve got to imagine that people have the same experience when they travel those many miles to see the famed Butter Cow. Not heard of her? She’s a bona fide fixture at the Iowa State Fair since, oh, 1911. It’s a life size sculpture of – you guessed it – a cow. Made from butter. One year, a wand-wielding Harry Potter was similarly carved defiantly protecting Bessie. People swooned.

I’m not sure what it is about state fairs that evoke such a profound penchant for pilgrimage. Maybe it’s the chill in the air. Or the wholesome vibe that seems to glow from all those kids in the 4-H Club trotting out their beribboned livestock. But for me it has the same allure as cryptocurrency – oh fun, let’s see how much money we can lose in a few hours and then pretend it was a fantastic idea.

OK. There is the food. Or, the concept of the food. The whole you’d-never-think-to-fry-this tray is very amusing. As are the brave people who buy it. But I’m always disappointed in the execution; it’s never as good as it should be. That’s why we bring the Acme-fied version of the State Fair to town every October. Because if you need to scratch that itch, by all means make it worth your while. You know what I mean? That’s where we come in. Think caramel apples, fried Moon Pies, funnel cake, pig tails, chocolate chip cookie dough on-a-stick. Basically, the whole nine yards. But with Acme umphh.

So, mark your calendar. Next Thursday through Sunday (October 13 – 16), the State Fair comes to Carrboro. There will be prizes, yes. But no farm animals that I know of. And if you want the true experience, park at Carrboro Plaza and walk to Acme. Let me tell you, the walk back is fun.

And tonight the Acme Almost Friday $15 continues. Every entrée, every Thursday is $15. If that doesn’t deserve a blue ribbon, nothing does. In case you were wondering, the weekend starts here.

The weekend @ Acme: Pecan-crusted fried chicken. Roasted radish & turnip with filbert brown butter and country ham. Butternut squash risotto. The Acme deluxe smash burger. Shooting Point oysters. Overnight beef short ribs. Pumpkin whoopie pies. Martha’s chile rellenos. Lots of Bourbon. Acme wedge salad. Cast-iron skillet crab cakes. New York Stripsteak. Acme cornbread. Blackened salmon. Southern bento box. Fish & chips. Apple cobbler with rum-raisin ice cream. Delicious red wine. Acme Brussels’ sprouts. Pork Chops. Mississippi-style tamales. And the last weekend of the Acme tomato plate. Fall is here; enjoy it.

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

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme