Wake Forest-OCT 2, 2010

helluvaparamedic

helluvaparamedic

Damn Good Rat
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
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I'm thinking about making the trip to Winston-Salem to see my Jackets. Anyone here been to a game at Wake? What's the area like, how are the tailgates, and is there any good BBQ to be found?
 
I am hoping to make it to UNC and at least one of VT or Clemson this year. If anyone want to plan together, let me know.
 
My dad is from Winston-Salem and we used to go to a lot of games when we would visit family there. It's a very small school and very reserved fan base. They recently built a brand new stadium, BB&T Field, and it's very posh. It's a very pretty campus (Emory-esque) and FWIW most of the buildings are named after 3 families: Reynolds (Tobacco), Hanes (socks,underwear etc), and Babcock, therefore a very old money school.

One place to eat is called Kermit's Hot Dog House. I remember eating there as a kid and they have great food and it's not too far from Wake Forest. Below is a link:

http://local.yahoo.com/info-13027586-kermit-s-hot-dog-house-winston-salem
 
I had the horrible misfortune to go to the Wake v. Duke game in 2002. It's a lot like watching a game in a high school stadium. It is a very small stadium, and the lead cheerleader has a microphone that he screams into the entire game, making enjoying the game quite difficult.

I know they were soliciting donations to revamp the stadium a few years ago (my wife is a Wake grad), so it may be better now. As for the tailgating and bbq, I have no idea. Going there to watch GT play would certainly make the experience much better, and I suspect that sitting in the visitor seats would protect you from the cheerleader's screaming.
 
I'm also interested in visiting the area for another reason as well, a career change that may necessitate a move out of state. My sister and brother-in-law live in that area too, and he's a Wake alum (MBA) so another beat down of the Deacs would be nice. Anyone got any info about the cost of living in the area compared to Middle GA, or the School systems?
 
PerfectOption said:
My dad is from Winston-Salem and we used to go to a lot of games when we would visit family there. It's a very small school and very reserved fan base. They recently built a brand new stadium, BB&T Field, and it's very posh. It's a very pretty campus (Emory-esque) and FWIW most of the buildings are named after 3 families: Reynolds (Tobacco), Hanes (socks,underwear etc), and Babcock, therefore a very old money school.

One place to eat is called Kermit's Hot Dog House. I remember eating there as a kid and they have great food and it's not too far from Wake Forest. Below is a link:

http://local.yahoo.com/info-13027586-kermit-s-hot-dog-house-winston-salem
Click to expand...

Okay, how does Kermit's Hot Dog House compare to a :bowdown:Nu-Way Weiner (Chili-Cheese w/ Onions or Slaw Dog)? How does BBQ NC style compare to :bowdown:Fresh Air BBQ (Jackson, GA) and do they have Brunswick Stew that's worth a damn?;)
 
helluvaparamedic said:
I'm also interested in visiting the area for another reason as well, a career change that may necessitate a move out of state. My sister and brother-in-law live in that area too, and he's a Wake alum (MBA) so another beat down of the Deacs would be nice. Anyone got any info about the cost of living in the area compared to Middle GA, or the School systems?
Click to expand...

Used to live in Greensboro area (which is part of the Greensboro-Winston Salem-Highpoint triad --aside, wth do so many of the NC cities want to be triads???)

School systems are far superior to Mid GA area, imo. Housing prices would be a little more expensive, but not much. Beautiful area to live in with lots of parks.

I loved the area.
 
helluvaparamedic said:
Okay, how does Kermit's Hot Dog House compare to a :bowdown:Nu-Way Weiner (Chili-Cheese w/ Onions or Slaw Dog)? How does BBQ NC style compare to :bowdown:Fresh Air BBQ (Jackson, GA) and do they have Brunswick Stew that's worth a damn?;)
Click to expand...

BBQ NC style is with slaw, and nothing better than Fresh Air. Brunswick stew as well is better than GA.
 
My family lives in Kernersville and it's a good area to live in around Winston-Salem. Forsyth County Schools are good as well (if you have children).
 
Last time I was in the area I pulled off 85 at SR8 near Lexington and had an A+ BBQ pork sandwich from Jimmy's.
 
I was a student at Wake about 30 years ago, so things have probably changed some. It's a very small school (under 4000 undergrads I think), but it has a good southern sports culture. As you might guess, basketball is bigger than football, but their recent success probably has enhanced the football excitement. The stadium is a few miles from the school, but it's worth driving over to check out the campus before or after the game, depending on game time. Most of the frat houses are part of the regular dorms and surround the quad at the chapel. Tailgating there should be fun. There used to be a lot of "pig pickins" in the fall-- Carolina-style BBQ pork where they start cooking a whole pig on coals the night before. Sometimes the best part was hanging out all night tending the pig.
 
Wake is not great for tailgating. Most visitors park at the basketball coliseum lot and walk across to the football field. The stadium and arena are a mile and a half from campus - an absolutely beautiful campus worth seeing. You'll have a good ticket to enjoy the game, so much better seats than we will have at UNC. Their fans can be insipid - act like they really don't care before the game and especially after the game if they lose. They will act like they won the Super Bowl if they win. Rows are very close, my knees are up against the back of the bench in front.

The barbecue in Winston-Salem is Lexington style. Lexington is close by, and it is really good there. Old Salem is worth a look if you stay until Sunday. Winston-Salem has pretty decent restaurants downtown. Drop by Dewey's bakery and try Moravian sugar cake.
 
My nephew starts WFU in August;my brother-in-law got his bachelor's there, says it's a lovely campus. I guess I'll be going up there more just to give my nephew a hard time!;)
 
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