savor — guide to food & dining on the azalea coast
The Cheesy
Banker
Serving Food with
Interest
After working for Wachovia Bank for
27 years, Carter McKaughan had
grown tired of wearing a suit and tie. Last
April, he unbuttoned his collar, quit his
job and walked off into the economic
unknown. It was a leap of faith, but it
landed him alongside his next great venture.
“I spent quite a bit of time talking with
a man who’d been with Bank of America
for 20 years and now runs a food truck,”
says McKaughan, “and I got inspired.”
Custom-made in Miami, the bright
yellow truck says it all: McKaughan’s fast
food fare is nothing if not cheesy. With
the talents of local chef Irv Vasquez, the
pair put on a friendly face matched by
exemplary taste behind the grill, and out
the front window.
The Banker’s top billed, “Too Big to
Fail” claims “The Banker has cleaned out
the vault.” The grilled mac and cheese, car-amelized
onions, and slow-roasted Boston
butt is slathered with a heaping helping of
BBQ sauce, cushioned on Texas toast. But
order it with caution: “I feel a nap coming
on,” warns the menu postscript.
While Texas toast is all the rage, patrons
have the option of the wrap for “Healthy
Minded Bankers,” try the turkey, Havarti,
avocado and sliced tomatoes in a sun-dried
tomato tortilla with some crispy bacon
nestled in the middle, just to keep it real.
The Too Big to Fail
with hand-cut fries
McKaughan’s fast
food fare is nothing
if not cheesy
90
WBM october 2012