Jayne and Bartholomew Nelson sample 12 Bones' famous blueberry chipolte ribs, which got the First Family's vote as well.
We love our British visitors.
They often seem to be on a pilgrimage of sorts. It’s only fair, since many Americans scour their country for our Old Country roots.
We’ve had British visitors on musical pilgrimages, visiting the home of bluegrass on their way to Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.
We’ve had some literary buffs who have visited the Carl Sandburg home, Thomas Wolfe home, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s room at the Grove Park Inn and O Henry’s grave at Riverside cemetery.
Most want to see remnants of the colonial glory days at Savannah and Charleston as well as Asheville’s former frontier.
But Jayne and Bart Nelson are our first in search of the best American barbecue. By the time they got to Inn on Main Street, they had sampled pulled pork of both the vinegar and red sort. In the mountains, we stay out of the red-yellow debate. Our best-known ‘cue joint is famous for neither. The River Arts District is home to 12 Bones, celebrated on Good Morning America as the nation’s best rib joint. Candidate Barack Obama got a to-go order while here on the campaign trail. He must have liked what he got, because a month or so ago he was back here on vacation with the First Lady and got some ribs on his way in from the airport. The White House chef needs to get a couple gallons of that blueberry-chipolte rub.
Back to our Brits. Jayne and Bart were on a mission to try those ribs. 12 Bones is only open on weekdays, and then only until 4 p.m. The schedule was getting tight, but they finally worked in lunch before they left for the coast. The ribs must have hit the spot because they sent us photos when they got home, including several from 12 Bones. I predict we’re going to see a new pub food take hold in the Isles soon.