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North Carolina's favorite mayonnaise

Posted: Jul 17, 2008

The debate flared again on WRAL’s Morning News. Lynda Loveland, Valonda Calloway and Mike Maze vehemently attacked my choice for mayonnaise on a tomato sandwich saying Kraft’s Miracle Whip “is the only way to go.” This discussion triggered a rash of emails with strong opinions.

So, it is time to settle the issue once and for all – What is North Carolina’s favorite mayonnaise? Click here to vote!

We will keep the voting open through Monday. Let your friends know about our survey. Get them to vote and comment. On Tuesday we will declare a winner. We will send the results to the NC General Assembly and begin lobbying efforts to make the winner “North Carolina’s Official Mayonnaise.” Fair enough?

I have come up with six brands which will be listed in alphabetical order. Feel free to offer your comments on your personal favorite. My choice is Duke’s Mayonnaise. I grew up with Duke’s in Morganton. I think it tastes perfect as a condiment on my tomato sandwiches and tenderly tames the extra sharp cheddar of pimento cheese. What more could I ask for?

Well, Lynda Loveland reminded me that there are alternative uses for mayonnaise. She remembers seeing her mother use mayonnaise as a natural hair conditioner! I didn’t know that. Did you? Some people even use mayonnaise as a facial cream and cleanser. Have you ever removed a bumper sticker with mayonnaise? Apparently, it works pretty well. How about mayonnaise on sunburn? Some people swear by it.

Back to the question of the day: What is North Carolina’s favorite mayonnaise? Make your vote count!

Copyright 2008 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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This is a battle in my house, so of course we meet half way. When making a salad or sandwich that requires mayo, it's half Miracle Whip and half Hellman's mayo. Have to admit that growing up as a kind in Western NY, the greatest thing I loved to eat was... cut up macintosh apples and bananas mixed together with Miracle Whip with just a hint of sugar. Don't knock it until you try it. Yummy!

drommer1
July 17, 2008 1:15 p.m.

My wife is from MA..and swears by Hellmans.....I prefer Duke's ,second choice would be Kraft....

original intent
GOLO member since April 21, 2008
July 17, 2008 1:27 p.m.

I remember when I was a child, going on a trip to the mountains with our church group and they only had Miracle Whip or plain mustard. I almost starved to death because I hate both. I did finally break down and eat a sandwich with mustard on it, but Miracle Whip I will not touch the stuff.

Dukes is the best and my favorite mayo... but because I am trying to do Weight Watchers I have been using Kraft Fat Free Mayo (doesn't taste as bad as Miracle Whip, but its close).

dejrfan
July 17, 2008 1:47 p.m.

I never understood how people could substitute Miracle Whip for mayonaise. It's just not the same. I have NEVER liked Miracle Whip. Duke's is the mayo for me!

mdoodle
GOLO member since March 1, 2008
July 17, 2008 1:54 p.m.

I agree with some of the others. Mayo (any kind) is not the same as Miracle Whip. Each has it's place, for me -a tomato sandwich needs Miracle Whip and Duke's goes with most everything else except tuna salad and that also needs Miracle Whip. I always keep them both on hand.

abit
GOLO member since June 7, 2008
July 17, 2008 2:02 p.m.

Hellmans is a winner for us. I remember when my parents tried Duke's for the first time. The verdict was negative. And perhaps some NC Sports Fans steer clear of Duke's even if they are from the South! Oh the rivalry! Even between condiment preferences!

owlady
GOLO member since July 5, 2007
July 17, 2008 2:24 p.m.

I think Hellmans is the best for using in recipies, but I prefer Dukes on my banana and tomato sandwiches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tennispro
GOLO member since September 18, 2007
July 17, 2008 2:30 p.m.

Duke's is a winner in my home. Miracle whip doesn't compare!!

Nina1
July 17, 2008 2:34 p.m.

South Carolina can't make barbecue, but they can make mayonaise. Duke's is one of the things Sandlappers can be proud of--one of few things!

And Miracle Whip is salad dressing, and, thankfully, my ex- took it with her.

kmason910
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
July 17, 2008 2:35 p.m.

There is only one kind and that is Dukes !! Ain't nothing like a 'mater sammich, bolony sammich, and a fried Spam sammich with Dukes mayo.

jayj
July 17, 2008 2:44 p.m.

Duke's....even the Light is good.

eyesblue
July 17, 2008 2:47 p.m.

I don't know how anyone can be from the South and not like Duke's best. I had a girlfriend that would only eat Dukes but her Mom brought a cheap no name brand once and put it in a Duke's jar and when my girlfriend started to eat it, she knew it wasn't Dukes IMMEDIATELY on the first bite of her sandwich!! I agree with the person that said Miracle Whip is a salad dressing...YUCK it tastes NASTY!!!

kayster58
July 17, 2008 2:54 p.m.

PS I forgot, you can only make Deviled Eggs with LOTS of Duke Mayo...that is the secret to good deviled eggs yall!!!

kayster58
July 17, 2008 2:55 p.m.

Growing up, we ate A&P brand mayo, but my grandparents ate Duke's. I always loved A&P, but absolutely hated Duke's. A&P went out of business in this area many moons ago, and so I was left without a mayo that I really like. I can't remember what I ate, but it definitely was not Miracle Whip, as I don't like that at all. At one point, during a dieting phase, I tried Weight Watchers and was astounded how close it tasted to A&P, and was healthier at that. Nowadays, I eat JFG, and it also is very close to A&P. It may actually be the same stuff with a different label, as I seem to recall a lot of A&P house brands switched to JFG. I think the biggest reason for strong preferences on this subject is based on what we grew up with.

rrgreennc
July 17, 2008 2:56 p.m.

Deep South is very underrated.

raglangr
July 17, 2008 3:00 p.m.

Duke's, and according to my husband, definitely NOT the low-cal one.

ninamc65
GOLO member since March 17, 2008
July 17, 2008 3:01 p.m.

I Love Miracle Whip, i can eat the others but they will never be as good as Miracle Whip

candj1967
GOLO member since July 17, 2008
July 17, 2008 3:02 p.m.

Dukes, Dukes, Dukes. Need I say more!!!

iamac
GOLO member since June 18, 2008
July 17, 2008 3:03 p.m.

It's Duke's Light in my household. My mother is the only person in the family who even LIKES Miracle Whip. I have tried it on a sandwich and couldn't finish the sandwich. YUCK. I used Hellmann's Light for a long time but when Duke's came out with a light, that's what I go with.

tunstal
July 17, 2008 3:06 p.m.

Only Duke's at my house. Miracle Whip, yuck.

softballmom
July 17, 2008 3:08 p.m.

This is a trick question!! There is no "best mayonnaise" because it is an impossibility. Mayonnaise is the nastiest ingredient ever, with garlic coming in a close second!

KingDad
July 17, 2008 3:20 p.m.

Dukes all the way!!!!!!!

carolinamissy
July 17, 2008 3:29 p.m.

I eat the light stuff most of the time but on a tomato sandwich, definetly Dukes!!!

jacmic
July 17, 2008 3:34 p.m.

I grew up on Dukes, however, I now prefer JFG, it's just a little sweeter. To each his own.

lcooke2
July 17, 2008 3:41 p.m.

miracle whip is NOT mayonaise. like at all. kraft even calls it a dressing.

it doesn't even taste like mayo. if you gave me a tomato sandwich with miracle whip on it, i'd politely refuse. i'd then ask you where you were from.

dukes all the way.

m0nky
GOLO member since September 23, 2008
July 17, 2008 3:48 p.m.

Only Duke's on my sandwich. YUM

Sthernsassy
July 17, 2008 3:49 p.m.

Duke's by far. Miracle Whip is NOT mayo! If I can't get Duke's, I do without. As a kid growing up in Alabama, we ate Bama Mayo. Duke's is just like it!

wildfrenchrose
July 17, 2008 3:56 p.m.

"Some people even use mayonnaise as a facial cream and cleanser."

Oh laudie, no you didn't fall for that one.

loslosers2003
July 17, 2008 4:07 p.m.

Duke's is the ONLY Mayo!

rchamp99
July 17, 2008 4:13 p.m.

All my time growing up, my mom fed me Miracle Whip. Little did I know what I was missing. Ever since I tried Duke's, I just can't get myself to go back to Miracle Whip...

iLoVeNc
July 17, 2008 4:25 p.m.

Miracle whip all the way

SweetLittlePeekapooPup
GOLO member since July 24, 2007
July 17, 2008 4:30 p.m.

Dukes all the way! (Being a true blue Carolina Girl, that is the ONLY time you will EVER hear me say that! :))

minnows
GOLO member since July 17, 2008
July 17, 2008 4:31 p.m.

Kraft Miracle Whip can't even be classifed as mayonnaise! Dukes is #1

kmanc4s
July 17, 2008 4:34 p.m.

Miracle Whip!!!!!!

ifonly
GOLO member since July 30, 2007
July 17, 2008 4:51 p.m.

I just finished a tomato sandwich with so much Duke's, it spilled from the sides. There is nothing better than Duke's on a sandwich. Add potato chips with Dean's French Onion dip and you have a great meal.

raldude
GOLO member since April 28, 2008
July 17, 2008 4:52 p.m.

I grew up on Miracle Whip also, but now Hellmann's is the best. Duke's is last on my list of real mayo's. Hellmann's Ancho Chipotle Sauce is real good too.

ThisIsMyName
July 17, 2008 4:55 p.m.

rrgreennc; WOW, I didn't think anyone else remembered A&P mayonnaise!! That's what I grew up on, too, and when they went out of business it took me forever to find a mayonnaise that I liked. I use Duke's mayonnaise now, but have also tried JFG and thought it was good. Maybe it is the same stuff as the A&P. Thanks for the memory!!

mdoodle
GOLO member since March 1, 2008
July 17, 2008 5:06 p.m.

Bill, I'm betting you don't like Texas Pete or Pepsi-Cola either.

drnc
GOLO member since December 14, 2007
July 17, 2008 5:09 p.m.

I have no problem with Texas Pete and Pepsi.

bleslie
GOLO member since July 10, 2007
July 17, 2008 5:16 p.m.

I don't even KNOW anyone who uses Miracle Whip on a tomato sandwich!!!! Oh, raldude, I'm with you on the Dean's onion dip too! Duke's has the kick and Dean's has the freshness!

maddie
GOLO member since March 12, 2008
July 17, 2008 5:16 p.m.

You can't beat Duke's for mayonaise (unless you make your own), and Miracle Whip is not a mayonaise so it shouldn't be considered if the debate is about the best mayonaise. It depends on what I'm eating as to which one I prefer. They are both mainly emulsified (beat up) vegetable oil, egg, an acid (usually vinegar) and spices. I know lots of people who say they can't stand Miracle Whip and then turn around and tell me that my chicken, turkey and tuna salad is the best they have ever tasted. I only use Miracle Whip in it. Same thing with deviled eggs. I use both in my killer tater salad. To each their own. My problem is that I like all of it too much!

Wheelman
July 17, 2008 5:21 p.m.

Many years ago I heard that mayo could be used for a hair conditioner. I suggested it to a friend, she tried it, and didn't speak to me for a week. She told me it took her two days to rinse it out!

maddie
GOLO member since March 12, 2008
July 17, 2008 5:21 p.m.

Dukes, no question about it. We have a friend who lives in Texas. He visits us here in NC every summer. He takes a case of Dukes back with him every year. There is a gourmet market near his home in Dallas that has recently started selling Dukes as a gourmet mayonnaise for $7.00 per jar. I found that hilarious.

Riverracer8
GOLO member since February 4, 2008
July 17, 2008 5:38 p.m.

Got to have Dukes on my bananna sandwiches.

Grumpy-Not
GOLO member since February 14, 2008
July 17, 2008 5:39 p.m.

Miracle Whip is vile. It's a Miracle that people eat it.

I remember growing up visiting a friend - she made BLT's with great fresh tomatoes. I wasn't watching her closely and she slathered on the Miracle Whip. I almost gagged when I bit into it - it was the biggest waste of a good 'mater I ever saw.

I am almost crying right now, thinking about it.

Drat - now I have to make myself a BLT for dinner. With Dukes.

cocker_mom
July 17, 2008 6:00 p.m.

DUKES in the only real mayo in NC...............!!!!

parr4246
GOLO member since July 4, 2007
July 17, 2008 6:06 p.m.

You said mayonnaise- Miracle Whip is a Dressing not mayonnaise. DUKES gets my vote 100% every time where mayonnaise is required. Miracle Whip has it's place... and that is NOT on my sandwich.

~M/e

ezrilouwho
July 17, 2008 6:13 p.m.

Lynda Loveland is a beautiful woman, but she's no Southerner. So you have to forgive her for not knowin' what's fittin'. That's why she was raised on that horrible stuff, Miracle Whip, instead of a true mayonnaise. Pity her.

Duke's is the best and has no sugar. Miracle Whip is full of sugar and is ONLY fit for fruit salad. In a pinch, Hellman's will do, but it's second best.

wordwitch
GOLO member since July 11, 2008
July 17, 2008 6:54 p.m.

Hey Maddie..When I was a teenager, we could go to the Charles Potato chip store in Durham. We always looked forward to a tomato sandwich on fresh white bread. Add that, lots of Charles Chips and Deans French onion dip..we were in la la land afrer eating so much..oh yeah..the tomatos were grown in our garden. Not a tomato puchased in a local grocery store that could pass for a softball.

raldude
GOLO member since April 28, 2008
July 17, 2008 7:44 p.m.

Since I was a little girl, I would eat Dukes Mayonnaise sandwiches. Fresh Merita bread and Dukes sandwiches are still a favorite. Re: the comment about Deep South- that was a pretty good mayonnaise. This is OT, but does anyone else miss Winn Dixie? I loved Thrifty Maid and Deep South stuff, and Diet Dr. Chek Cola was the bomb!

beach_teach
GOLO member since March 9, 2008
July 17, 2008 8:32 p.m.

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