I was drawn into this eatery by its
sign that reads "Home of the Famous Pork Chop Sandwich." I typically
dine on a pork sandwich once every quarter and when I do I have a special spot
in Charlotte, NC, on the North West Corridor along Beatties
Ford Rd. known as the Original Chic N Ribs. In fact, I am
such a fan of their poke chop samich (Pork Chop Sandwich) that I have added
them to my very popular QCT Charlotte Black/African-American Heritage Tour.
Actually, I grew up on this sandwich while roaming the streets of my hometown
in Miami, Fl. Back then we would just slap a piece of pork chop (Bone
in) between two slices of white bread, added Miracle Whip, and that was
that.
Today they have taken that sandwich
to a whole different level at Chic n Ribs by adding lettuce, tomato, and
a special sauce. They leave the bone in which is how I prefer it because that
is what I was used to growing up. Some folks prefer hot sauce; of course those
kind of people put that @#$% on everything. Smile! I must admit that I
have never seen a white-owned business promote pork chop sandwiches the way
these guy do and that was another reason that I just had to see what the fuss
was all about. Was it just a marking ploy, or the real deal? Enquiring minds
want to know so took them up on their offer to try it - as their sign
encourages.
The interior of their 1950's diner-style
eatery was very clean and it appeared to have new everything. I am not sure how
long these guys have been in business but the inside of this establishment
looked less than a year old. It is located just off one of the two main exits
off I-85 going west on W. Innes St. It is located a stone's throw
from Downtown and the neighborhood is predominately African-American and
the sandwich promo may be the niche that they were looking for to draw folks -
like myself - in. Well, it worked; at least with me and a few others that came
in after me. Some appeared to have been there before.