Tomatoes and mayo are an iconic southern pairing. For the fourth year, Duke’s Mayo is bringing back its celebration of that very duo — Hot Tomato Summer.
What is Hot Tomato Summer?
The 10-day event invites local restaurants to whip up their most creative recipes. The 10-day event, happening July 18 through July 28, invites local restaurants to whip up their most creative recipes. The only rule? They must use Duke’s Mayo and tomatoes.
![Housemade crab salad, tomato, arugula, pickled red onions served with fries, and Duke's chipotle mayo.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/47a9ae0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1080x608+0+442/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F77%2Fe8%2F792fb4c346b496085f59931bd4f7%2Fchs-felix-crab-salad-sandwich.png)
This Crab Salad Sandwich sounds like the perfect summer lunch.
Photo provided by Félix Cocktails et Cuisine
Which restaurants are participating?
With 70+ participating restaurants in the Charleston area. Here are just a few of our recommendations.
- Berkeley’s | Chicken BLT Sandwich | This sandwich features a generous crispy chicken cutlet topped with shredded iceberg, heirloom tomatoes, and bacon served on a potato bun with confit tomato and bacon Duke’s Mayo.
- Félix Cocktails et Cuisine | Crab Salad Sandwich | The perfect summer lunch is... a housemade crab salad, topped with tomato, arugula, and pickled red onions served with fries + Duke’s chipotle mayo.
- Beautiful South | Bourbon Chicken with Duke’s Fried Rice and Embered Tomatoes | Umami — This wok fried rice with Duke’s Mayo is topped with Jim Beam Bourbon chicken and smoked local cherry tomatoes.
- The Pass | The Pass B.L.T. | This sandwich is going to take two hands to contain as it’s stacked with burrata, prosciutto, butter-poached Maine lobster, heirloom tomato, roasted garlic aioli (made with Duke’s Mayo), and benne seed-potato chip truffle crunch.
Check out the other 69 local spots and what they’re offering; just tap the Charleston tab at the top of the page.
![This image shows a green bowl stuffed with Chicken with Duke's Fried Rice and Embered Tomatoes.](https://6amcity.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb78e02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x2270+0+369/resize/1000x563!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fk1-prod-sixam-city.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F43%2F60%2Fa4623b754cbe805b3d323ef5d218%2Fchs-beautiful-south-bourbon-chicken-with-dukes-fried-rice-and-embered-tomatoes.png)
Umami — this wok fried rice topped with Chicken and smoked cherry is making our mouths water.
Photo provided by Beautiful South
How can I take part?
During the event, dine at the participating restaurants and try the mayo + tomato-themed specials. You’ll get the chance to vote online for your favorite dish to win the “Golden Tomato” award.
Psst... there’s also Hot Tomato Summer merch. (Because we all need a mayo jar pool floatie.)