Two restaurants in a coastal town found a fun way to poke fun at each other.
In North Carolina, managers Clarke Merrell of Dank Burrito and Samuel Turnage of Ioanni’s Grill have restaurants that are just 40 feet apart from each other, and they creatively use their tents to trade reviews.
Their friendly feud began when Samuel used his restaurant’s sign to wish his father and Ioanni’s Grill owner Jeff Turnage a happy birthday, posting the celebratory message on his massive marquee in mid-July.
Weeks had passed and the birthday sign was still up, so Clarke, 42, decided to get Samuel’s attention by jokingly posting her own sign.
Clark used his marquee to post: ‘Ioannis stop being lazy, change your sign,’ which kicked off their comical exchange.
Two restaurants in a coastal town found a fun way to poke fun at each other
In North Carolina, managers Clarke Merrell of Dank Burrito and Samuel Turnage of Ioanni’s Grill have restaurants that are just 40 feet apart from each other.
Samuel noticed the new addition to Clark’s lineup and humorously responded, “Dank, we’re not lazy, we’re just busier than you.”
Although Clark may have assumed he had won the short-lived battle, Samuel quickly responded with a new, smart-guy message.
Samuel’s updated sign read: ‘Looks like they’re busy because it takes two hours to get a dollar taco.’
Instead of responding with a food-related sign, Clark highlighted Samuel’s lack of activity, bringing the restaurant’s empty parking lot into the conversation.
Clark updated his sign to read: ‘Dank, can we use your lot, why don’t you?’
It wasn’t long before businesses around the city took note and joined in the fun with their tents.
Other restaurants, stores, and even a church took to their signs to post quirky pun-filled messages in a humorous attempt to put an end to Samuel and Clark’s playful rivalry.
Prime Bistro posted the message: “Guys, do we need a steak meal?”; EJW Outdoors posted: “Guys, do we need a taco meal?”; and Glad Tidings Church appropriately wrote on its sign: “Ioanni’s and Dank: Lettuce to break bread together.”
Other restaurants, stores, and even a church took to their signs to post quirky pun-filled messages in a humorous attempt to put an end to Samuel and Clark’s playful rivalry.
Prime Bistro posted the message: ‘Guys, do we need a steak dinner?’ and EJW Outdoors posted: ‘Guys, do we need a taco dinner?’
Although many stores got involved, Clarke didn’t let any of them have the final say.
Clarke symbolically added fuel to the fire, saying, “Guacamole out, EJW. This is nacho meat.”
Samuel shared that he heard rumors that over 100 companies participated in ‘Sign Wars 2024’, and even cities that were more than an hour away also joined in.
Both Clarke and Samuel have been in high spirits after exchanging trash talk.
It appears Clark has gracefully waved his white flag, after being reminded of how extremely exhausting it can be to change 15-foot-high letters.
