Arthur, a self-appointed "Ham Connoisseur," pushed his cart with a sense of purpose. He wasn't looking for just any meat; he was on a quest for the . It had been whispered about in the digital forums of 2017 as the "hidden gem" of the season—affordable, yet possessing a glaze that could make a grown man weep [1, 2].
As he rounded the corner to the deli, he saw her: Mrs. Gable. She was eyeing the . She knew, as many did that year, that if you wanted a lean, consistent cut that didn't require a degree in butchery to carve, Boar's Head was the gold standard [3, 4].
Arthur eventually chose a bone-in beauty, while Martha stuck to her premium deli cut. They parted ways with a nod of mutual respect, knowing that in 2017, the "best" ham wasn't just about the brand; it was about the glory of the perfect Sunday sandwich.
Arthur smirked, tapping the side of his cart. "But the Appleton has that hickory-smoked depth, Martha. It’s the 2017 sleeper hit."
The year was 2017. The air smelled of rain and nostalgia, and for a very specific group of enthusiasts, the local supermarket was no longer just a place for milk and eggs—it was a battleground for the ultimate holiday centerpiece.
"It's about the moisture retention, Arthur," she said without looking up.
They stood in the refrigerated aisle, two titans of the suburban lunchmeat scene. Around them, the world of 2017 buzzed—fidget spinners clicked in the toy aisle and Ed Sheeran’s "Shape of You" played over the speakers for the thousandth time.
