 Cue the “Mission: Impossible” music. “Your mission, Mr. Lendon, should you accept it, is to attend one of the world’s foremost sporting events and eat from the concessions all day for under $15.” This is crazy, I say to myself. Can’t be done. For the 2014 Super Bowl, a single "premium canned beer" was $14 (making bottled beer seem like a relative bargain at $14), a soda $6. At a regular season L.A. Dodgers game, all-you-can-eat pavilion seating starts at $30 and goes up from there. And this is the annual Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, the best of the best for golf. Nevertheless, I set off on my mission. Mission log follows. 0910 hours: In the gates of Augusta National and heading up the first fairway. Map shows concessions back by Hole No. 3. 0920 hours: Stand sighted. No lines. And breakfast served until 1000 hours. I move in. 0921 hours: I’ve secured a chicken biscuit and a coffee. Cost, $1.50 for the biscuit, $1 for the java. But now I have to eat it. 0928 hours: Consumed. Ravenously. The biscuit was good sized, seemed a bit bigger than Chick-fil-A. The biscuit itself is good, not too doughy. The chicken still juicy despite spending time in the foil bag. Coffee is hot, dark and strong. I usually drink it black, but I need two half-and-halfs on this one. Guy next to meet at the condiment bar says he should’ve asked for half coffee, half hot water. 0930-1230 hours: Watching golf’s best knock it around. I’ve had tougher assignments. 1232 hours: Lunch. Down near the end of Hole No. 10. I’ve been told when at the Masters the pimento cheese sandwich is a must. I’ve never had one, but orders are orders. And the $1.50 price tag fits the parameters of the mission. I add on the Masters kettle-cooked potato chips, $1, and a light blue concoction labeled “sport drink,” $1.50. Wanted the Diet Coke, but figured I should avoid any more caffeine in the hot sun. Total hit: $4. 1234 hours: The concession area is crowded, but a nice couple from Houston offers me a spot at their table. They’ve earned my trust so I confide my mission to them – they express amazement that I live in Atlanta and have never had pimento cheese before. But they assure me I’ll like it. 1236 hours: First bite. Hmmm. I chew slowly. The woman senses my trepidation. “You’ll love it by the end,” she says. “It gets better as it goes along.” 1240 hours: The lady is right. Yummy! The couple from Houston has moved on, so I share my excitement with three guys from Omaha who’ve replaced them. They find my assignment amusing, but they doubt my chances for success. “I just spent $8 for two egg salad sandwiches and this beer,” one says. My point exactly. And his math is off. Even if he got the import beer, at $3.75, he’d have only spent $6.75 as the egg salad sandwiches are $1.50 each. 1440 hours: Watching the Par 3 tournament and stomach rumbling. Must make a move. I’m thinking white chocolate, macadamia nut cookie, just like the one I thought about tacking on to lunch. 1443 hours: In line. 1445 hours: Served. And thrown a curveball. (Sorry to mix sports metaphors. I’m time pressed.) No cookies on the Par 3 course. And no beer either. Curious, that. I get the Snickers bar as the commercials say they really satisfy. 1447 hours: Snickers really does satisfy. Especially at $1. 1450-1529 hours: Par 3 action, including watching three of the game’s greats, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Watching Palmer makes me want one of those half lemonade, half ice tea drinks. Thanks for coming up with that one, Arnie. 1530 hours: Thunderstorms rolling in to Augusta. Play is stopped and the course is cleared. 1620 hours: Play is canceled for the day and the course closes all concessions. I’ll need to tap other resources to complete my three-meal mission. 1621 hours: I check the concession price board. I can get the same things in the press area, which is still open. And they are the same. I go with the ham and cheese on rye, $2.50, the $1 kettle chips again (I really do like those) and a domestic beer., $3. Assessment: Nods to the Houston couple. The ham and cheese was not as good and the pimento cheese, really kind of bland and the bread was mushy. Maybe it was sitting in the cooler too long. Glad I had the beer to wash it down. 1638 hours: Mission complete. Total cost for three meals and a snack: $14. Which should also look good on the expense account. From the Eatocracy editors: In 2011, heartbreak briefly ensued at the Masters Tournament when a power outage at the golf club's production center temporarily interrupted the availability of pimento cheese sandwiches to hungry fans. Augusta.com reports that severe thunderstorms were the cause of the power loss and that at least one patron was pretty cheesed off at the lack of sandwiches. Reed Clevenger of Cary, North Carolina, attended the tournament with a friend and told the publication "We were in disbelief when we walked in and heard there were no sandwiches...We told (our sons) even if you don't like it, you have to try the pimento cheese at least once." Mr. Reed reportedly tracked down the sandwiches at the single concession stand that was selling them, and power was restored throughout the club on Tuesday. Since many Southerners vehemently disagree as to its platonic makeup (levels of spice, cheese blend, consistency and additions such as onion and pickles are all hotly debated), Eatocracy presents several variations.
From John Currence, James Beard Award-winning chef of City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, Mississippi Pimento Cheese Makes about 3/4 gallon Combine cheeses, mayonnaise, pickle juice and Tabasco in food processor and pulse until combined. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. From Eatocracy commenter C.K. Leverett Pimento Cheese Spread 1 lb. Velveeta or similar cheese product, shredded
Our managing editor prefers this recipe from NPR's Wright Bryan, spiked with an extra splash of pickle juice. Share your favorite formulations and pimento cheese musings in the comments below. The post originally ran in 2012, and we've updated it with all the freshest pimento cheese news and a few recipes. |
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Even better than pimento cheese...grilled pimento cheese with pickled jalapenos.
Substitute minced pickled jalepenos and juice for bread and butter pickles.
Pinatas that resemble Sarah Palin would probably sell very well north of the Mason-Dixon line. I mean, who wouldn't want to hit that thing with a stick ?
Still talking about the Palin chick in 2014 even though she is irrelevant. Wow that's obsessive for you all out there reading. This man needs help.
And a guy named after a wiener IS relevant?
Everything old is new again. Pimiento cheese was all the rage 25-30 years ago. Then it disappeared in the early 90s. Now it's back because people are bored with the current choices. Makes an excellent dip, BTW. Use Philadelphia brand.
Pimento cheese? One word: Ewwww!
Why ruin perfectly good cheddar cheese with pimentos?
Because they make plain cheese better?
I guess life on the left coast is another world. These prices the writer is grousing about are dead cheap. I don't think I have seen anything sold for a dollar anywhere out here...for years.
BTW, you have a few errors in that piece. Poor editing.
It's actually spelled "pimiento"
Holy smokeballs - do you recycle this same article every year? This isn't "It's a Wonderful Life," guys, do some new reporting.
Read the article's post date doofus.
If I'm not mistaken, Augusta froze its concession prices some time in the early 80s, so there really is no reason to update this article; it should always be the same. I was there 10 years ago, and pretty sure that's what I paid then.
I think it's cool that they sell food at cost. If you don't like reading about it, guess what? Don't read it, nimrod!
Forget everything but the pimentos, mayonnaise and shredded cheddar cheese if you want pimento cheese. Anything else is Yankeefied weirdness.
And the brand of mayo matters. It has to be REAL mayo – not that sweet salad dressing stuff. Duke's is a favorite in my part of NC.
Yankeefied? Does that mean it beats the Confederate version?
No, it means that anything else gives Atlanta heartburn.
It means the yankeefied version will go through you like Sherman through Georgia.
Or Putin through Ukraine.
Being from Augusta with a curb side seat to the Augusta National. I can reassure that Pimento Cheese when made right can consume anyone's hunger.
Bread and butter pickles in pimento cheese?! Say it ain't so! Now, it is acceptable to put bread and butter pickles ON the pimento cheese sandwich, but only if you're a Philistine or a Yankee (I know, not much difference, but I'm trying to be all inclusive and stuff). The Eatocracy recipe is close, but substitute jack or havarti for the Velveeta and throw in an 8 ounce package of cream cheese. Velveeta goes in macaroni and cheese or queso, but NOT pimento cheese. The very idea...
Bread and butter pickles on your pimento cheese sandwich? Sounds like a good cause for secession.
The way you describe it, it sure makes great sandwiches.
I guess the wealthy have a good taste too, even if they have a rancid wallet.
The tabasco sauce may be the key ingredient.
Is the wallet rancid because your post stinks of jealousy, or what?
Or, did they leave the aforementioned pimento cheese in the cash slot?
Yeah, recycle a two-year-old article...
First of all, the chicken bisquit is $3. Also, you really missed out, if you didn't try the icecream sandwich made with Georgia peach ice cream between two surgar cookies for $3. I love Snickers, but I can get one of those any time.
Biscuit!
Ticket prices for what's left as of this post:
http://www.travelmastersaugusta.com/masters-tickets-badges
Saturday, April 7th – $825 ea
Sunday, April 8th – $795 ea
4 Day Tournament Badge (Thurs-Sun) – $3,195 ($798/day)
At these prices, if I flash my entry ticket at any concession stand I should get a filet dinner, a chilled bottle of Dom, an act *that's unmentionable here* performed on my person and a house payment. Screw your $1.50 egg salad sandwiches.
you realize those are scalper prices, right?? the only place to buy masters tix is through the masters. anything else is way above face value.
So you label yourself a moron because TP was ignorant of scalper's sites? Sounds fair to me.
moron:
usually offensive 1: a person affected with mild mental retardation
2: a very stupid person
ignorant:
1a: destitute of knowledge or education; also: lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified
1b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
2: unaware, uninformed
Yep. Sounds very fair to me.
So you label yourself a moron because TP was ignorant of scalper's sites? Sounds fair to me.
moron:
usually offensive 1: a person affected with mild mental retardation
2: a very stupid person
ignorant:
1a: dest itute of knowledge or education; also: lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified
1b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
2: unaware, uninformed
Yep. Sounds very fair to me.
So you label yourself a moron because TP was ignorant of scalper's sites? Sounds fair to me.
moron:
usually offensive 1: a person affected with mild mental retardation
2: a very stupid person
ignorant:
1a: dest itute of knowledge or education; also: lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified
1b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
2: unaware, uninformed
Yep. Sounds very fair to me.
moron: anyone who posts the same thing 3 times.
ignorant: anyone who needs a dictionary for commonly used words.
moron: anyone who posts the same thing 4 times.
ignorant: anyone who needs a dictionary for commonly used words.
moron: anyone who posts the same thing 5 times.
ignorant: anyone who needs a dictionary for commonly used words.
A person essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I'd state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and so far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Wonderful task!
English, please.
Why is everyone in an uproar about the Masters not allowing women just this year? Women received the right to vote in the 20's and ever since, the Masters haven't allowed women into their "gentlemen's game." Its been the same for 90 years, but just this year THE MEDIA feels sorry for a rich CEO of IBM who happens to be a woman. Annika and countless other qualified LPGA professionals have never made as much of a deal of this as now.
Obviously THE MEDIA looks out for the 1% more than the rest of us. Why should anyone care if one 1% CEO gets a "sponsor's membership" at The Masters. Not like she can compete in the LPGA or do the course justice.
I consider membership at The Masters as people who have singlehandedly won the tournament or improved the tournament. The IBM CEO has done nothing but write a check that the Masters could easily request Nike, GM, or Intel to replace IBM. Grow up!
P.S. prices are low for food at the Masters because the ticket prices are obscene.
you're right! face value for a ticket is 50 bucks a day. that's just obscene!!!!!
The gentleman with the two egg salad sandwhiches most likely had the correct math....It's called tipping moron!!! Something that looks foreign to you by the way the article reads.
If YOU weren't such a moron, you would know that Augusta National has a no-tipping policy.
I thought that only applied to cows.
I guess I wouldn't know because women are not allowed.....and to the guy below. If someone brings me prepared food...I tip.
michelle, women ARE allowed at the tournament. Secondly, no one brings you food at the Masters. You go through a very well organized line and pick the food you want and go to the cashiers at the end of the line and pay. There is no tipping. You might try knowing what you are talking about before you run your mouth. Sounds like that would be a new concept for you.
you DO NOT TIP when you stand in line at a concession, pick up a pizza yourself or any other situation where they do not bring your food (unwrapped) to a table where you are sitting to eat it.
Interesting how tip jars are showing up EVERYWHERE- even saw one at Subway. Ridiculous. Tipping is done for jobs that are paid BELOW minimum wage.
That's my fault–if someone does a good job, I tip. If the guy at Subway follows my directions and makes me a good sammich, I ask, "Where's your tip jar?" If they don't have one, I say, "Keep the change."
and goldsmith, we arent all disappointed, I am proud of them. They are a private club and can do whatever they want. If they want to exclude anybody under the age of 50, they can do that too. If they require members to be at least 6 feet tall, guess what they can do that too. IT IS A PRIVATE CLUB FOR GODS SAKE. Why is that so hard for some people to understand? Oh, nevermind, im sure you are a liberal and voted for Obama.
I've heard about the low food prices at the Masters. It's a refreshing change of pace from most major league sports food prices. Plus, allows you to further enjoy the greatest show in golf without worrying about carrying too much cash for inflated food costs.
Shame on you for featuring this event. I am disappointed. And yes, I'm a woman.
It being 2012 MicheleJ we all are disappointed. Billy Payne and his fellow ancient Caucasians are enabled by ESPN and CBS to live in the past where folks of color carried bags and women were hushed. The Masters illustrates why private clubs exist. Old white men ache to hide then from the real world then so be it but CBS and ESPN should pay the price as co-conspirators.
Can I join Belizean Grove, what about the 1000's of all women clubs at many institutions of higher learning that won't let men join. You want in Augusta, we get to be tri delts if we want. There are several all female colleges; do you want to open those to men too! How about the women only gyms?
Now get back in the kitchen and finish dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually we are not all disappointed. Go start your own club and world class gold tournament. You can make the criteria be for whiners.
Can I join one of the 1000's of all women clubs at many institutions of higher learning that won't let men join. You want in Augusta, we get to be tri delts if we want. There are several all female colleges; do you want to open those to men too! How about the women only gyms?
Now get back in the kitchen and finish dinner!!
Disappointed that you can't have access to a private, members only club? The club can do what its members want to do. Years ago, they allowed blacks to join, which for the region is quite step forward. Its a membership based on merit and if you believe a female CEO that's worse than a 20 handicap should be allowed to join because she's a CEO of a publicly traded company, you're mistaken.
That's like allowing women to play NFL or NHL. I don't see you ladies lining up to get knocked on your butts and concussions. Hell, I don't even see many AMERICAN women on the LPGA tour trying to be the next Annika.
Think you DESERVE membership at The Masters? PICK UP A CLUB!!!
Please kiss my putter and refrain from speaking.
LMAO
LMAO
LMAO
Oh for God's sake, enough with the complaining about "men only" private clubs. There is nothing wrong with private clubs. Are you this insecure and hot-headed that you MUST make everything equal? Who cares if they don't admit women! Go form your own private club! You would be pissed if my husband demanded he get into the Junior League. No, everything and everyone are not equal on this planet and why must it be? Go find a ladies club and stop whining.
Wow, I thought you were joking, till I realized you weren't. I guess you were not a fan of Calvin & Hobbes either, since Calvin ran a "No Girls" club as well. Isn't that the point of a private club, that not everyone can get in? I can't get in either, and I'm a white male. I am sure I can't get in, but that does not matter much to me. Wish I could have attended an all girls college though, and slept in the female dorm. Oh well.
michele, you are a loser.
Augusta National is an upstanding, beautiful, and most importantly, private golf club. Private clubs exist for the sole purpose of creating a specific environment based on rules and regulations set forth by the governing bodies of said clubs. Augusta National should not be forced to change their rules simply because the media taints them as "unfair." Frankly, I believe you would not be happy if your daughter's sorority was forced to allow a boy in because the media said it was discrimination.
You're right. We should also ban sexist Women's colleges, fraternities, associations, etc. Businesses and organizations that cater exclusively to women should also be given the same, equal treatment that any Men's organization would be given by Feminazi's and other hypocritical "social justice" groups. Only then will TRUE gender equality be achieved.
eat like a man and to heck with the check!!!
oh...first again