I never lived there. My dad moved there from Atlanta when he married my stepmom back in the late '80s. I was already grown and on my own.

I remember the Big Chicken...but I couldn't tell you how far they lived from there. It's been years since I've been back there (they moved to Florida around 1992 or so). They lived in a subdivision that seemed to be in a newly developed area of town...at that time. But every time I visited there they would take me to breakfast at this great little mom and pop kind of restaurant. Unfortunately I can't think of the name. It was always packed.

Polenta---authentic Italian peasant food, which obviously has variations throughout the world, its cheap, easy to make and filling. My mom used to make the porridge and pour it onto a huge wooden chopping board, spread it out, cover it with tomato sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese....everyone got a spoon and worked their way to the middle.
Best meal ever.

Grancey and I were watching Wheel of Fortune the other night, and the show was filmed in Charleston, SC (Vanna's hometown). One of the puzzles was "Sauteed shrimp over cheese grits." We looked at each other in utter shock. What kind of sick fucks do they have in South Carolina?

Fried shrimp or boiled shrimp MAYBE.....

I think I know which restaurant you're talking about..
The Marietta Diner. Open 24 hrs a day, best food, huge cakes and always great. I remember the place when it just opened and I was a kid. It moved three times, and is on it's fourth expansion down the street from the Big Chicken.

Sorry for the late response lol.

I'm in the middle of cooking up 6.5 pounds of boiled peanuts that I bought while in town for my Grampas Funeral.

grits

parmesan cheese and a little garlic
sharp cheddar, green onions, garlic
sriracha sauce and a little brummel and brown.
sundried tomatoes chopped up very fine and smoked gouda cheese... and a little garlic.
or just brummel and brown, salt and pepper.

boiled peanuts = nasty.
IMO.