Subj : Qwik Serve
To   : Dave Drum
From : Ruth Haffly
Date : Wed Nov 09 2022 16:36:13

Hi Dave,

 DD> Some of the "Mom & Pop" places get pretty elabourate ... beyond the
 DD> small(ish) cafe with the red gingham table sloths (or just Formica).

 RH> This one is small, maybe a dozen tables, rather closely packed but no
 RH> red gingham table cloths or Chianti bottle candles. Just good food, and
 RH> ample servings.

 DD> Bianco's (the place I referenced below) was a bit bigger. 16 or so 4
 DD> tops and one big round table for families in the middle. But not
 DD> cramped. No wicker wrapped chianti bottles w/candles there.

That seems to be less of the thing to do than it was back in the 60s and
70s. Mom and Pop have gotten a bit more sophisticated I guess. (G)

 DD> We had one here that was a favourite of mine. Grandma ran the kitchen.
 DD> Son Dominic was the maitre d and his wife was the cashier. Chirrun and
 DD> cousins were the wait staff, etc. After a couple visits my standard
 DD> order was "Whatever grandma is making". Never was disappointed.

 RH> I think it is one we would have liked also. (G)

 DD> My current favourite is a place called "Papa Frank's" on the far west
 DD> side of town. It has both indoor and outdoor dining and great grub.
 DD> www.papafranksspringfield.com

Our place has a couple of tables out on the deck but we've always gone
inside. My main complaint about it is that they serve pepsi, not Coke
products.


 DD> When Steak & Skake went from waitress/table service to Biglari's
 DD> "quick serve" format they lost me as a customer. I had in a S&S an

 RH> They used to put fliers with coupons in the paper when we first moved
 RH> here. That stopped some years ago, leaving me to wonder if the one in
 RH> Raleigh is still going. Guess we'll have to swing by sometime and check
 RH> it out.

 DD> They quit with the coupons/newspaper inserts when the formats changed.

OK, that's why I stopped seeing them.


 DD> I note that my local franchisee has begun doing their own flyers with
 DD> the franchise name (Stuller's) more prominent that the Steak 'n Shake
 DD> logo. So, the split back to the "real world" may be coming sooner
 DD> rather than later. I hope.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it tho.


 DD> average of six meals per week (usually lunch). I've not set foot in
 DD> one since my second visit under the new regime. The food is as good -
 DD> but the experience sucks rocks. I hear rumours that my local (and
 DD> Steak & Shake's *oldest*
 DD> franchisee) is going to drop the franchise, change their name to
 DD> something that won't get them sued, and go back to "dancing with who
 DD> brung them". If that becomes a reality I'll gladly go back.

 RH> Sounds like a good idea.

 DD> And maybe they'll go back to breakfast - which corporate also put the
 DD> kibosh on.

Not enough of a money maker for them? I wish some of these fast food
places that do breakfast would do something other than what they usually
offer. Rubbery eggs, plastic cheese and overly salty "bacon" or ham on
an overgrown white biscuit or croissant is not my idea of a breakfast.
OTOH, cut down the size of the biscuit, make it whole wheat and slap on
some real meat, served with fruit and/or yogurt and you've got a decent
breakfast.

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net  FIDO 1:396/45.28


....  I'm clinging to sanity by a thread. Hand me those scissors.

--- PPoint 3.01
 * Origin: Sew! That's My Point (1:396/45.28)

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