I figured no one would show, but I went anyway.
Friday night dropped 3.5 inches (according to my Stanley 25’ Tape Measure) in my central Maryland neck of the woods. There would be no ride on Saturday. However, no official cancelation notice was issued (no doubt figuring only an idiot would ride a motorcycle on slushy, salty, and potential icy roads).
A road trip in the Itty Fit pales in comparison to Big Red, but a road trip is food for the soul, just as breakfast is food for the body.
50 minutes later I arrived at the restaurant meeting spot, it was clear this was an organic, free range, no GMO type of place.
Not that there is anything wrong with that.
I ordered a medium, decaf Americano while I waited for no one to show. The Americano was quite good and no one showed.
During the interval, I took to reading my coffee cup:
“Free Range Cup – Certified Compostable / Petroleum Free
Bio Lining made from plants.
World Centric / For a Better World
Commercially Compostable Only
30% Post Consumer Fiber.
Wow, a lot to unpack! In fact, my mind was spinning. Then upon reviewing the menu with its organic and vegan breakfast wraps and organic avocado toast, I figured it was time to head to the Waffle House – 2.2 miles down the slushy road.
Upon entering the yellow and brown shoebox that is Waffle House, host Debbie greeted me enthusiastically:
“Welcome to the Waffle House, it’s my birthday!”
“Age 29,” someone shouted, and Debbie readily agreed. Which by my estimation Debbie has been celebrating age 29 birthdays for somewhere between 3 and 4 decades. I warmly wished her happy birthday and sat at the bar.
A few minutes later, Debbie asked me if I would move down a seat. Seems moving would make room for Bob and his high school age daughter and her friend from Baltimore.
Bob thanked me for moving and told me it was the Baltimore’s girl’s first trip to the Waffle House and, “Of course, at the Waffle House you have to sit at the bar.”
“That is where the action is.”, I offered.
“Sure is.”
To say the Waffle house is noisy is like saying Dolly Parton has big hair (ha, got you…!). This Waffle House sounded like a freight train being unloaded.
Waitresses barking orders like Conductors.
The Grill hissing like a steam engine.
Customer talking and clanking utensils against loaded plates like dock workers.
As if on cue, Sherry a waitress shouted an order in a form of English I did not understand.
Bob who no doubt knew the language shouts to the young man at the grill. “You been here a while, haven’t you?”
“12 years,” the young man nods proudly. The back of his T-shirt proclaims, “Waffle House All Star - Grill Operator.”
“I thought so,” Bob nodded.
Bob asks the girl from Baltimore how she likes her chocolate chip waffle. Chewing, she nods affirmably.
Having cleared my plate, Sherry asks how I liked the Sausage Bowl, (scattered sausage bits, 2 eggs, American cheese, butter (lots), and grits).
“Great, may I have soda refill in a to-go cup?”
“Sure.”
I bid farewell to Bob and glanced down to see emblazoned on the to-go cup:
Tasty! Yum! Delicious!
The Sun is Shining.
Fresh Start, New Day
And finally:
Make Today Amazing!
Done.
How about you? Where do you go for breakfast? Share a story!
2nd Helping:
After breakfast, I consulted Southern Living magazine to decipher Sherry’s English.
The language of hash browns:
Scattered – to make crispy.
Smothered – add onion.
Topped – covered with Chili.
Chunked – add diced ham.
Diced – add diced tomatoes.
And on and on: peppered, capped and country…
Itty Fit is a 2015 Honda Fit - Honda Fit - Wikipedia
Big Red is a 2019 Honda Goldwing - Honda Gold Wing - Wikipedia
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