Spudsy's...It Is Not

Before this summer, I didn't spend a lot of time in Ogden. Okay, that's not entirely true. I did work in a state government building across the street from the iconic Ogden Municipal Building for a couple of years, but I didn't spend a lot of time checking out the city. Since it was work, I went in before most people arrived at work, and left before the traffic got bad. 

One thing I didn't do then was check out places to eat.

That changed this summer when my daughter and I were cast in the Ogden Musical Theatre production of Peter Pan. I may have mentioned it a time or two on this blog. Because we arrive at the theater around dinner time, we've checked out a few of the local eateries close by. One of them was Brixton's.

I tried it out the other day.

It was good.

Each time I saw the restaurant (we pass by it each time we enter and leave the theater...), I thought of the TV show, The Middle. If you are not familiar with the show, all three of the children worked at a fast food restaurant at the mall named Spudsy's. The restaurant was basically a potato bar, and it was the butt of many jokes, most centering on the many varied ways a potato meal can be produced--most sounding extremely unappetizing.

I kept thinking of Spudsy's whenever I passed Brixton's and I kept thinking I just had to go there--at least once--before we close the show this weekend.

Earlier this week, I did.

When you consider all the different types of fast food, a baked potato is an excellent choice. Of course, a person needs to like potatoes to begin with. Fortunately, I do. I went with the bacon and cheddar meal--good eats, if I don't say so myself.

I have no idea how many Brixton's restaurants are out there. It might be hundreds...it might be only a handful. They way Spudsy's was portrayed on The Middle, it wasn't a place anyone would want to visit. Thankfully, Brixton's isn't Spudsy's.

Proven Wrong...By The Worker At Wendys

On Mondays things are a tad hectic at the Taylor household. Actually, the hectic-ness extends to beyond the walls of our home--extends to the theater and to where we decide to pick up dinner.

My daughter and I are currently in a local production of A Christmas Carol. We do the shows Monday/Wednesday/Friday nights. My daughter has dance rehearsal until 6pm on Mondays. Call time for us to be at the theater is 6pm. So, on our first show of the week I leave earlier than normal, stop by a fast food establishment, and order my daughter dinner. For the past two weeks, I've stopped at a local Wendys restaurant.

Funny, how you learn things in the strangest places.

Two Mondays ago I got us food--to go--then picked up my daughter. Thinking I would eat a little healthier than normal, I ordered a side salad to offset the ill effects of the spicy chicken sandwich I also ordered for myself. I took the food, jumped in the car, and when time came to eat, I found no fork in the bag.

Ever tried to eat a salad sans fork?

My son had to do it on our return trip from Seattle back in September. My daughter, son, and I laughed as he told us he forgot to get a fork and we watched him eat each lettuce leaf with his fingers. When it happened to me, it wasn't as funny. As I looked down at my fork-less salad, I wondered if the worker forgot to give me a fork. That must have been it.

This last Monday I found myself at the same Wendys. Once again I ordered a salad. This time I took a picture of the drink counter. I took the picture because I didn't see any forks, spoons, knives, or anything other than stuff for drinks. I had proof the worker failed to give me a fork. The order came, I checked before I left and once again--no fork.

"Um, can I get a fork?" I asked, thinking the worker had once again forgotten an essential tool I needed to enjoy my tasty food.

That's when he casually pointed to his right.

"You can get a fork right there."

Duh! I said to myself. I had not noticed either the week before or this time the other table loaded with everything I'd need to eat my food. Forks, spoons, knives, napkins, straws, ketchup--it was all there.

Funny, how you learn things in the strangest places.

Is There...A Subway Way?

"So," I said to my daughter as I picked her up from one organized activity so she could attend a second. "What do you want to eat for dinner?" We had about 25 minutes until her call time and we were headed into an area chuck full of eateries, many of which are considered "fast food" establishments.

"I'd love to go to Subway, but that's expensive," she said.

It is, but I thought about the request. My daughter has two more performances until this production ends and I thought, why not?

"Let's go to Subway," I said.

"Really?"

"Yup."

Subway...I don't know how you feel about the place, but I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I really enjoy their food. If I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life, for me, it would be sandwiches. We used to go there a lot, but as the kids have grown (along with their appetites and their ability to eat more...), eating there for the family has gotten pricy. 

Then, there's the manner in which the sandwiches are constructed. You might call it "a labor of love" for either the worker or the patron. At the Subway we visited tonight, they were a little on the slow side. It didn't help that those in front of us had multiple orders, each order varying in its complexity.

I should have known going in that it would take a while--it usually does. And usually, I have plenty of time to wait for the food. This time, even though I wasn't in a huge hurry, I still tapped my toe and checked my phone more than usual.

It's good to have a corporate identity. It brings a sense of normalcy to those who like to visit. Of course, you want to have a good corporate identity. Does Subway have a way, and if so, what is it? To us tonight, it was the meal my daughter wanted that was hopefully worth the wait.

Looking For Work? Panda Express Is Hiring...

Tonight, my wife pointed out a poster in the window of a local business we walked by. Apparently, they're hiring. It's a fast food place, so the fact that they're hiring is not unusual. The poster pointed out (literally...) the company is not just hiring front-line workers, but Assistant Mangers and even General Mangers.

"So I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious." Kip Dynamite

We see the Now Hiring signs everywhere, to the point where we almost don't see them. My oldest son returned from his LDS mission in February. Before he left he worked at a fast food place. The first thing we did the day after he got home was to go see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. After the movie, his grandparents took us all out to eat. I remember we drove past about ten restaurants and every one one of them advertised for help. From the back seat, we'd hear, "Hey, that place is hiring." Followed by, "That place is hiring, too." It made me see the Now Hiring signs possibly for the first time. 

Even at the food preparation establishments where they are not advertising for new employees, just tell them you're interested and a position will open up pretty soon I imagine. The sign we saw tonight said that a General Manager could earn $48K/year.

Is that a lot? Some might say it's too much. Some (especially those who work in the industry...), might say it's not enough. I've worked in a couple of restaurants in my life and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult a job like that actually is.

I don't want you to think I'm saying that all the people not working should rush out and get these jobs. For starters, not everyone can do the job. Some are just not "people people." They'd fail miserably. Others are not organized enough to keep up with the pace. But, the poster gave me information I didn't know, that some of these places are paying a pretty good wage for a pretty tough job.

"That's all I have to say about that." Forrest Gump