• http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/08/11/61-Food50_Amelies_2.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.JPG|440
    Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe is a Charlotte-owned and operated French bakery and cafe in the Historic NoDa Cultural Arts District. There is so much to love, from the funky furnishings to the fun crowds. Deciding what to choose from the glass case of treats is tough. We'll make it simple: The salted caramel brownies. A hint of salt and gooey caramel on a tender brownie. Tres happiness. WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/15/734-B82128838Z.1_20090707155329_000+GKLJUJLM.3.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|418
    Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe is a Charlotte-owned and operated French bakery and cafe in the Historic NoDa Cultural Arts District. There is so much to love, from the funky furnishings to the fun crowds. Deciding what to choose from the glass case of treats is tough. We'll make it simple: The salted caramel brownies. A hint of salt and gooey caramel on a tender brownie. Tres happiness. WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/15/672-B82128838Z.1_20090707155329_000+GKLJUJLO.3.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|413
    "You have to have popcorn," says Kay Coffman of West Virginia about Blackhawk Hardware's popcorn. "We enjoy it and it smells good." Coffman was visiting her daughter and granddaughter, Kaylee Andrievk, 6, (pictured at bottom). WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/736-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+Parklanes_onionrings_2.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|428
    Onion rings at Park Lanes Restaurant on Montford Drive. They're crisp and irregularly cut, and not too greasy. Good thing -- your fingers won't slide out of your bowling ball. Each onion ring is individually dipped in their homemade batter. This recipe has been passed down since the 1960s. WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/130-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+Whatsyourbeef02.JPG.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|413
    Vic Giroux opened What's Your Beef butchery two years ago this July 4th weekend. His business card says "Master Butcher" on it and thats exactly what he sees himself as. What's Your Beef gives customers unrivaled customer service and business is so good that Giroux is working on plans to open a second shop. JAMEY PRICE - jameyprice@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/452-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+FOOD_01.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|412
    Taking a portrait of three farmers market managers, Mary Jane Leach, Lynn Caldwell and Pauline Wood. _(From L) Lynn Caldwell, Mary Jane Leach and Pauline Wood._Don Williamson - dwilliamson@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/915-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+food_9.JPG.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|390
    Bar-B-Q King located at 2900 Wilkinson Blvd Charlotte. ROBERT LAHSER- rlahser@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/370-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+Food50_Merts_2.JPG.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|414
    There are so many things we love at Mert's Heart and Soul -- the photos, the lined-up cake stands, the greens. But the honey butter, served with miniature loaves of warm cornbread, is what ensures our lunchtime loyalty. WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/146-B82128848Z.1_20090707155931_000+GB6K2UTG.3.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|414
    Honey butter and cornbread at Mert's Heart & Soul. WENDY YANG - wyang@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/890-B82128848Z.1_20090707155931_000+GB6K6O0R.4.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|413
    Dairy Queen, 2732 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte. ROBERT LAHSER- rlahser@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/08/12/603-food50_2_06.JPG.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|414
    Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby. Sure, slow cooked barbecue over wood sounds romantic, but the woodpile behind the famous restaurant are where the romance stops and reality takes over. Wood barbecue is hot, smokey business. Just getting enough wood is a full time job. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/16/584-foodpicks0708.ART0_G87K7O7U.1+food50_2_07.JPG.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|413
    Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby. Sure, slow cooked barbecue over wood sounds romantic, but the woodpile behind the famous restaurant are where the romance stops and reality takes over. Wood barbecue is hot, smokey business. Just getting enough wood is a full time job. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/07/07/15/698-B82128838Z.1_20090707155329_000+GB9K0OHQ.3.standalone.prod_affiliate.138.jpg|287
    Lunch at the Artisan Restaurant at the Art Institute of Charlotte. OBSERVER FILE PHOTO BY DAVIE HINSHAW - dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com
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