August 6, 2026
Q&A: Food holidays, favorite steakhouse sides
Each week, we answer reader questions about food and drink in Charlotte
Q: Just where did all these “national food holidays” come from?
Tom: You picked a good day to ask, National Root Beer Float Day, and a great month: National Sandwich Month. Basically, they come from a wide variety of sources: marketing departments, food enthusiasts, and even nonprofits. The Salvation Army is attributed the first with National Doughnut Day, the first Friday in June, in 1938 as a fundraiser honoring the volunteers who served doughnuts to American troops during World War I. The proliferation began accelerating after Chase’s Calendar of Events started collecting observances in 1957. The coming of the internet and social media then turned them into inexpensive publicity machines. Although they don’t carry the weight of law, the U.S. government has even stepped in on occasion. Congress designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984, and President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July 15 as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan similarly proclaimed National Catfish Day in 1987. Anyone can proclaim a national day, but it’s up to popular culture, and whoever the “they say” congescenti are, to see if it becomes part of the zeitgeist. Something to ponder as you enjoy a good root beer float and sammie today.
Q: Charlotte is full of steakhouses, but which ones have best sides?
Tom: Really good question. I do like the creamed spinach at the OG Charlotte steakhouse, Beef ‘n Bottle. The creamed corn brûlée at Steak 48 is the hidden star of the SouthPark restaurant’s entire menu. At Supperland, both the miso mac & cheese and duck fat Brussels sprouts are definite go-tos. Also look at the creamed onions and crab & asparagus at Superland’s sister restaurant, Lelulia Hall. Outside of Charlotte, both the glazed mushrooms and peasant cabbage are must-haves at the Epic Chophouse locations in Fort Mill and Mooresville.
