The river's apparently blown by last night's rain (running 3.5 feet in Townsend where it normally runs 2 feet - and stop me when all this sounds too familiar...). I took the opportunity to drive to the local Phillips 66 gas station -
home of the fabled, much-anticipated, Tennessee Slaw Dog.
Even in full repose, the slaw dog does not give up its secrets easily....
I think it says a lot for a region when you can buy an artery killing lunch delicacy at 10:20 in the morning, and the helpful woman behind the counter pointed out that she'd build a hot dog with any of the fixin's, but that
the slaw dog was most accurately represented by the traditional mustard/onions/chili/slaw combo. I ordered one (strictly for journalistic purposes), and dived in.
For perhaps the first time ever, the delicate nature of this culinary masterpiece is revealed to the fly fishing world...
I have to say the slaw dog is a close contendor for the title of "The Ultimate Underground Fly Fishing Fuel", with the Amarrati's burrito putting up stiff competition. Both foods (and I'm applying the term loosely here) will leave you with a song in your heart (and probably skid marks on your waders), and I think the ultimate decision is one of preference. The slaw dog offers a delicate melange of tastes, though I think I'd ask for extra onions if I were to order again.
The burrito travels better, and is far more receptive to the warming rays of the microwave. The Slaw dog goes down quickly and easily, and requires only a single hand for consumption - an important consideration given the twisty nature of the park's roads.
I'm going to mull over this critical topic in my head while I go fishing (thereby testing the long-term ramifications of slaw dog consumption). For now, enjoy the worldwide exclusive - yet another example of the kind of hard-hitting journalism you've come to expect from the Trout Underground. See you at the Pulitzers, TC.