This crowd signaled as they turned into the Huntersville Chik-fil-A, on US 21. (Lyndsay Kibiloski/CorneliusNews.net)

Food and politics mixed – at least for a little while on Wednesday. There were lines out the door at the Chick-fil-A on U.S. 21 in Huntersville as local diners heeded a call by top Republicans to show support for the embattled fast-food chain. Traffic on U.S. 21 was heavier than usual as cars turned into the lot, where an employee in a fluorescent yellow vest directed traffic.

Diners packed the Huntersville Chick-fil-A.

The not-exactly spontaneous event – dubbed “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” – was promoted by former Arkansas Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in opposition to a boycott by gay marriage advocates. That boycott was launched after Chick-fil-A chief executive Dan Cathy told an interviewer he was “guilty as charged” for opposing gay marriage.

It wasn’t clear Wednesday how many local folks were at the Huntersville restaurant to oppose gay marriage, or just “Eat Mor Chikin,” as the chain’s cow mascots urge. Whatever the case, it wasn’t business as usual.

Inside, it was “organized chaos,” with hostesses circulating and handing out drink refills and condiments.

RELATED LINKS

Aug. 1, 2012, ABC News, “Thousands Celebrate Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day”

Mike Huckabee’s Facebook Page for Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day

July 30, 2012, DavidsonNews.net, Student petition seeks to drop Chick-fil-A from late night snacks”