I know a place
where you can go get an omelette that would make Jacques Pepin smile. They’re a little family operated place called the Omelette House. I have eaten about every damned thing on the menu and I don’t think it’s possible to get a bad meal there. The waitresses are tough, the Navy Seals of the profession. The busboys work with ninja like precision and the cooks are johnny on the spot.
Consequently, they are always busy.
We wander in there of a given sunday, stick our head in the door and they write our names down. We never ask for preferential treatment. We tip well. We love all the waitresses and they all gathered around to see the pictures of the Oglet in her prom finery.
We eat our breakfast and get the hell out, so they can seat another family; there are always people waiting.
Plenty often, people wander in and turn around and leave. “I’m not waiting! There’s too many people” We have never waited more than fifteen minutes, and there is a free cup of coffee when you come in. We stand or sit and have a coffee, and soon enough there is a table with our name on it.
I like those morons who are impatient, and want everything to happen on their schedule. It means I get to enjoy my meal without their presence. I used to be impatient, but I am finding myself to enjoy life a good deal more with a little patience here and there.
Up to a point, I agree about waiting. We stopped at a Cheesecake Factory to get some dessert preceeded by dinner and we were told the wait was about two hours. We got our cheesecake to go, at dinner elsewhere, and had dessert at home. The food there is good, but it’s not a two-hour wait good.
In the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle there used to be an eatery called “The Bee-Liner Diner.” excellent food quickly served. There was often a line a hundred yards long down the street. Over the door was a sign: “Eat it and Beat it”. It closed due to regulatory interference. The owner threw a gung ho idiot city inspector bodily into traffic in the street, gave all the food away and closed the joint. I miss that place.
There was a place like that in wicker park called “Busy Bee”. Good quick food and no nonsense.
Good food is worth the wait. But I like to get good service as well. I am friendly with wait staff and we tip pretty well.
So far our community size has not negatively impacted the wait times.
I don’t see how anyone can say capitalism doesn’t work. Just look at how many people there are in the USA. Unsuccessful systems do not have lines to buy optional food.
Loved the Busy Bee when I was at Loyola. When Reagan was President. And you’re right about gaining patience as one ages.