Whether it's Arshels in Beaver or Tangies in American Fork or The Prospector in Escalante.......they have some of the same traits and their own unique personality.
Everything smells the same:
The smell of stale coffee, the feel of vinyl chairs with a thin coat of grease from being wiped down with towels used to wipe down everything. The smell that was once cigarettes from a time when they were chic and accepted.
The smell of stale coffee, the feel of vinyl chairs with a thin coat of grease from being wiped down with towels used to wipe down everything. The smell that was once cigarettes from a time when they were chic and accepted.
Everything is accepted in a home town cafe:
The "regulars" at the counter who wish cigarettes were still in vogue, the business man in his suit and tie who is only there for the pie, the traveller who just wants to sit - even thought they've been sitting all day, the kids who don't understand why this place doesn't give you crayons and a coloring book while you wait, but do understand that dad is talking to a complete stranger (who has a full beard and tattoos) the next table over and are totally enrapt in the conversation.
Then there is the help:
I love the waitress who is a woman that has led a less than vogue life, with a raspy voice, being either over or under weight, in a pair of jeans, tshirt, apron, donned with the most genuine smile you'll ever come across. She makes the coffee, toast, ice cream sundaes, pours water herself, and carries the food without a fancy tray. She is the reason people come back. You can hear her joke with the cook as they discuss the weather, kids, the latest video or if they're getting their hair done this weekend.
I love the waitress who is a woman that has led a less than vogue life, with a raspy voice, being either over or under weight, in a pair of jeans, tshirt, apron, donned with the most genuine smile you'll ever come across. She makes the coffee, toast, ice cream sundaes, pours water herself, and carries the food without a fancy tray. She is the reason people come back. You can hear her joke with the cook as they discuss the weather, kids, the latest video or if they're getting their hair done this weekend.
If you ask the right questions you can learn some great things. Like the owner of the neat hotel and drive in is a yutz because he won't open the drive in for the locals, or that the woman that is serving you IS the owner, or did you know that a famous actor actually sat right where you are sitting!?!?
If you travel, you must eat at the local hometown cafe. It will not be perfect, the menus will be well worn, the silverware may have a spot or two; but you will be able to pour real sugar out of a glass container that is on your table, and the catsup will also come in a glass container that says "for restaurant use only, do not refill" and the label will nearly be worn off from being wiped down after refilling.
But, you will enjoy a quiet meal, made with real food by real people in a real place in a time that we wish could be real again.
Dinner, anyone?
But, you will enjoy a quiet meal, made with real food by real people in a real place in a time that we wish could be real again.
Dinner, anyone?
