|
Yoooo Reader , it's been a while (more on that below) so I'm excited to finally be back doing the newsletter! Here you'll get a variety of my random thoughts, recipes, and current happenings in the foodie world. For this one, I want to get into my new(ish) foodie club which is called The Grubb Club which I think is super dope.
I've also completely revamped the website with much more coming each week so be sure to take a look if you haven't already!
|
|
|
Latest Posts and Articles
|
|
Thanksgiving Food Debate
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you haven't seen yet, I've launched a foodie club called The Grubb Club. If you’ve ever wished that eating out, cooking at home, or exploring new restaurants came with extra perks, then it’s time to join The Grubb Club. For only $5 a month, this membership unlocks more than just great meals. As a Grubb Club member you’ll get access to exclusive ongoing restaurant discounts at some of the best restaurants in Charlotte, saving you money while helping you discover new favorite spots.
Along with restaurant discounts, you’ll also get members-only recipes from me (perfect for those that want great, tested recipes at home), special giveaways (gear, gift cards, event invites, and more), special Grubb Club events in the future, tastings, pop-ups, and merch drops before they go public.
Most Importantly, joining the club also helps support our food community and the work I put in to continue to help local restaurants and businesses. It’s a way for you to eat well, save money, and be part of a community that loves good food as much as you do and it pays for itself every month. If that sounds like your kind of vibe, I’d absolutely love to have you join.
|
|
|
Napkin Notes
Random thoughts this week
It blew my mind that during a recent visit to Sam's Club, chicken thighs now cost more than chicken breast. The influx of influencers and recipe creators constantly now recommending chicken thighs over breast has spiked demand over what was once the "prized" chicken breast.
|
|
|
|
On the Stove
Lasagna Soup - It's been a cold, gloomy week in Charlotte so I was craving soup. This Lasagna Soup is the way to go. It’s got all the good stuff you love in classic lasagna in a rich tomato broth, tender pasta, flavorful beef, and a scoop of creamy ricotta all in one pot. It comes together easily, makes plenty, and is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week. I added my full recipe over on my website exclusive for my Grubb Club members.
Click here to see the full recipe on my website
|
|
|
"Thinking is difficult, that's why most people judge"
Carl Jung
|
|
|
|
💻 Life Update: Why Newsletters Slowed Down (…and Some Big Career News) |
|
If you’ve been wondering why I haven’t been pushing out as many newsletters lately - the short answer is: life got busy. The longer answer? The tech world has been shifting fast, and I had to shift with it.
I work in QA, and over the past year it became clear that traditional manual QA roles are disappearing. To stay competitive (and keep my current role), I had to quickly level up - which meant spending the last few months deep-diving into code, frameworks, and automation tools. It was stressful, overwhelming, and honestly one of the hardest sprints of my career.
But it paid off.
I’m officially a QA Automation Engineer II.
This move puts me on much stronger footing career-wise, especially in an economy where layoffs are unpredictable and tech roles are evolving faster than ever. The grind has been real, but the stability and the growth was necessary.
And now that things are finally leveling out… the newsletters will be back more often.
|
|
|
|
FREE PASTA GIVEAWAY
This weekend, Dec 6-7, the first 30 Grubb Club members that visit ESO Pasta in Optimist Hall and show their membership card will get their pasta completely free. Even after the first 30, all members that visit will still receive a nice discount on their food.
|
|
|
|
💵 Cash Giveaways Flashing Across Charlotte This Month
If you’ve been scrolling Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed a surge of accounts promising “pop-up cash drops” around Charlotte — with handles like @passpasscharlotte, @findthecashchar, and similar variations. These pages tease real-life scavenger hunts with daily cash drops at random locations. Once the spot is revealed, people race to be the first to grab the money. One recent reel even claimed they’d be “dropping cash every day around the city.”
The appeal is obvious: quick cash, minimal effort, and perfect timing as holiday expenses stack up. But before you hit “follow,” “like,” or slide into their DMs, it’s worth remembering that social-media giveaways are a magnet for scams. A little caution goes a long way.
Bottom line: So far, these Charlotte cash-drop promos appear harmless — and real — with plenty of locals posting their wins. My guess? It’s a clever strategy to grow these accounts quickly, then eventually make back their giveaway money through sponsorships and brand deals. Just stay alert: the giveaway space online is full of bad actors too. Never share personal information or click anything sketchy unless you’re certain it’s legit.
|
|
|
🦃 The Great Thanksgiving Food Debate: Your Votes Are In
Last week, I ran a head-to-head Thanksgiving food showdown on Instagram — a live poll where classic dishes battled it out for holiday supremacy. And let’s just say… some of your picks were shocking.
What started as friendly voting quickly turned into a full-blown food debate in on my instagram live. Staples fell. Underdogs rose. Strong opinions were voiced about casseroles and dressing vs stuffing. The chaos was delicious.
It was a reminder of just how seriously people take their Thanksgiving plates — and how no two households seem to agree on what deserves a seat at the table.
|
|
|
📏 Tall People Meetup Heads to Charlotte
This weekend, the nationwide gathering known as the Tall Tour is rolling into Charlotte, giving tall folks around the city a chance to come together and connect. The meetups are organized by content creator Tyler Bergantino and the next is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at Brewers at 4001 Yancey here in Charlotte from 4–7 PM.
Here's a preview:
- A chill, welcoming atmosphere for tall people to hang out and connect with others
- Fun community-style activities like casual meet-and-greets, a “height lineup” (yes — showing off how tall you are), and even a lighthearted crowning of “Tall King” & “Tall Queen.”
- It’s free to attend and open to everyone of all heights, though the event centers around tall individuals and the shared experience of being taller than average.
The events began as a simple way for tall folks to meet up, but has grown into something more meaningful and a chance to build community with people who understand what it’s like to stand out in height. This is an event that taller individuals can be in a space where they feel completely comfortable and "normal"
If you or a tall friend are in Charlotte this weekend, this might be a rare chance to meet some “giants,” swap stories, and share some laughs in good company.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Things to Do
- Hunnid Dollar Art Fair
Dec 6, 13, & 20 (3-7pm)
Camp North End
- ACC Championship Game
Dec 6
Bank of America Stadium
- Front Porch Sundays market
Dec 7 (10:30am-4:30pm)
Atherton Mill
|
|
|
Bite-Sized News
- Indigo coffee has a new, 2 story location in Uptown Charlotte. It’s a cozy, welcoming spot serving creative lattes, teas, and house-made drinks with plenty of seating perfect whether you’re getting a morning brew, catching up with friends, or working remotely. Hopefully Indigo will help fill the void of local Charlotte favorite, People's Market, closing down suddenly.
- Bulla Gastrobar Closes in SouthPark. Not all the news is upbeat: this week, Bulla Gastrobar, a Spanish-style small plates restaurant in SouthPark closed permanently, and a moving truck was spotted outside the building. For fans of the spot, it’s a reminder of how volatile the restaurant world can be even for trendy, established places.
- Zara finally opened its first North Carolina store at SouthPark Mall, debuting Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. The massive two-story space brings Zara’s full lineup of women’s, men’s, and kids’ fashion just in time for holiday shopping.
|
|
|
Cory - Tha Daily Special
I'm just a food content creator who loves sharing amazing, easy-to-follow recipes and great restaurant recommendations from across the country to inspire your culinary adventures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
