I’m back. After 13 weeks of non stop, traveling, tailgating, shooting, editing and writing I had to take a week off. The Tailgate Tour is now complete and I want to thank all of you who followed it and left comments. I am working on the book proposal now, so I will keep you updated on the progress of turning this project into a book.
Anyway….
I have done a lot of traveling this year, and with the year almost over ( I can’t believe it but it’s almost 2011) I am finally getting to posts that I have been meaning to write for the last several months. Today’s post is from a July (yes I realize that was a long time ago) trip I made up to Raleigh. This was at the same time that I visited Chapel Hill, but I am now getting to what I discovered in Raleigh.
Raleigh is the capital of my home state (North Carolina) as well as the home to North Carolina State University. I have several friends from high school that went to school there and they all advised I check out Sadlack’s Heros. Sadlack’s is located on Hillsborough St (the main drag of NC State’s campus) across from the Memorial Bell Tower. Think of Sadlacks as sandwich shop by day and music venue/bar by night. Although the music line ups looked intriguing, I was there for lunch and their sandwiches. I was particularly fascinated by the Shut Up and Eat It. Yes thats right, the sandwich’s name is “Shut Up and Eat It” In this hoagie creation the tables are turned. Instead of the diner telling the sandwich artist what they want, the sandwich artist gives the diner what ever they feel like making. Interesting concept. I was slightly skeptical until I saw it on the menu.
There it was at the bottom of the menu. Being told what to eat at a restaurant and paying for it? I had to give this a try. I ordered a foot long Shut Up and Eat It. Here is what was presented to me.
Looked interesting. Today, the sandwich artist decided to make me a Ranch Chicken Philly.
Ranch dressing, chicken, cheese, onions, and bell peppers. I did as I was instructed. I shut up and ate it. I can’t say you will get this every time you order a Shut Up and Eat It, but I was definitely happy I decided to give this concept a try. The concept of being told what to eat and what I was presented with was definitely worth the trip, but it was what accompanied the sandwich that will definitely bring me back again one day. 
SWEET POTATO TATER TOTS! These were a first for me. I love sweet potatoes and love sweet potato french fries. I also love tater tots, but sweet potato tater tots? Well it should come as no surprise, I loved them as well. In fact, I would say I enjoy them more than plain old regular potato tater tots. The sweet potato ones were dusted with sugar and could have easily functioned as a dessert. Needless to say, they were quickly devoured.
Being told what to eat and eating sweet potato tater tots are two things that will definitely bring me back to Sadlack’s Heroes. Next time I will have to catch a show and a beer.
The sweet potato tater tots look delicious. I hope the book proposal is going well!
not to go all valley girl, but, like, where’s the effin’ recipe? 🙂
No recipe yet, I will let you know if I develop one, thanks for the comment!
Hi Taylor,
Just found out about you through Paula on Twitter (@bellalimento). I so enjoyed reading your tail gating posts! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous and they truly capture the spirit of this tradition! I’m so excited you’re going to be at Food Blog South! Hope I get to meet you 🙂
Christina
Sweet potato tater tots!! I WANT.
I love anything sweet potato, big fan of sweet potato fries. But in the form of a tater tot with a sammy, killer. Love it!
Hi Taylor!
I gasped when I found out that you are from North Carolina, take photos of what you eat and love food!!!! I wonder if there is a great community in the triangle area here that do the thing you do but for the past years I thought I was a loner when I carry my camera around, ask people to freeze until I am done photographing.
This is such a great post…I see this place whenever I drive by but have never tried. I will make a visit soon. Did you try anything else in Raleigh?
Shut ups are always better with a beer and a band, but ask for Apple Butter for the Sweet Potato Tots mm mmm.
As an NC local (non-native) I’ve yet to see this place, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun. Thing is I’m so picky I’d end up with beef or something I just don’t eat! Dang! Might try it just for the tots! YUM!