Hailed by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who
has quietly become one of the most influential people in America," Andy
Andrews is an internationally known speaker and novelist whose combined
works have sold millions of copies worldwide. He has been received at
the White House and has spoken at the request of four different United
States presidents.
January 21, 2009 - Orange Beach, AL - Did you know there was one (very famous) fast food chain that
spent more than 500 million dollars last year—in advertising alone?
Think about that ...
FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS!!
And the food isn't even that good.
Oh, I eat there sometimes. Mostly when I come to your
town. Because when I am in your town, I don't know where else to go
... Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against franchises. I
eat at a lot of them. Some franchises are really good. Some ...
(like Chick-Fil-A) are even great.
But what about the really unique—great value—fantastic
tasting—one of a kind experience restaurant? Yeah, you are probably
thinking of one in your area right now, but how am I supposed to
find it? For the most part, eateries like these don't advertise
much. They have a local clientele so they probably figure there's no
need.
These fabulous places don't usually
look like a restaurant you'd take a chance on. They invest money in their
employees and their food—not the building. For instance, the
Conestoga Steak House in Dothan, Alabama is housed in a plain, white
painted, concrete block structure, but their steaks are better than
any I have eaten in the world. And the yeast rolls are better than
the steaks. And you can't spend twenty dollars a person there even
if you eat dessert! Sure, there are nicer digs, but I am into the
food.
I had the idea to write about this topic for two reasons:
1) I am curious (and hopeful) about whether these kinds of "mom
and pop" restaurants will be around in our world much longer.
2) While they are here, I want to know where to eat!
Small, family owned restaurants aren't normally managed in such a
way as to maximize profits—if there are any profits to begin with.
In addition to the dearth of advertising mentioned above, these
businesses don't have multiple locations with one central buyer who
can negotiate bulk rates for all the locations at once. Or favorable
tax and zoning ordinances. Or huge walk-in freezers for storing food
bought at low prices.
Nope, they have only our enthusiasm to advertise the specials
that go up on a blackboard by the cash register. There is one
kitchen and mom or dad is in it. All the food is fresh (where would
they store it?) Heck, it is a miracle if there is any money left
over at the end of the year, but that's okay, they'll tell you.
After all, they only started this place because everybody loved
mama's fried chicken ... or daddy's vegetable soup was the best
anyone had ever eaten ... or Lillian was making pizzas for the UPS
man and soon she was making twenty a day! (Lillian's Pizza—Perdido,
Florida ... six miles from my house).
Will these places be here when our children grow up? I hope there
will always be a family excited enough about Aunt Minnie's homemade
rolls or Earl's barbeque sauce to share the tastes with the rest of
us. We just have to be sure they can "make it" financially. So when
the question comes ... "Where ya wanna eat lunch?" ... Don't always
make it fast food. Remember good food. The kind your mom
encouraged you to eat. Don't worry, they can get it to your table
fast if you're in a hurry!
In my area, the Crazy Horse Café is not to be missed. Look on the
map. Highway 98 going east from Foley, Alabama through Elberta into
Lillian (not named after the Pizza Lillian ... this is a whole 'nother
Lillian) and across the Lillian Bridge. Florida begins at the bottom
of the bridge and 4/10ths of a mile from the state line, on the
left, is the Crazy Horse.
Even though they don't have a sign, there will be a pile of cars in
the gravel and shell parking lot, so you can't miss it. The sign they
did have was blown through four years ago by Hurricane Ivan—the
frame is still there—and nobody figured there was any need to replace
it. All the locals know where the Crazy Horse is and the name is painted
above the front door anyway!
The menu changes a bit every day. I usually choose from the several
meats and what seems like fifty different vegetables. Our boys loooove
the fried fish and Polly won't get anything but the big ole
cheeseburger. Jimmy makes them by hand. You know, the burger patty is
never perfectly round, but there's a lot of meat there, it's seasoned
just right, and you won't ever eat a better one.
No reservations, seat yourself, the Crazy Horse Café (now serving
breakfast until 10:30) has been in the same location since God's dog was
a puppy and is owned and operated by Jimmy and Barbara Stewart.
Whichever one is not busy will probably meet you at the door and welcome
you in.
Don't go on Sunday because Jimmy and Barbara are at church. The place
is closed. Yes, I know that Sunday is the biggest money making day for
any restaurant ... but I already told you, Jimmy and Barbara are at
church.
Don't go on Monday either unless you want to work. That is the day
Barbara spends in the kitchen getting a jump on the desserts for the
week. Trust me on this ... the desserts are unbelievable. There are at
least five different choices at all times. Pies, cakes, cobblers, and
puddings are always "just coming out of the oven".
"Pineapple-upside-down-cake's still hot," is how we were greeted one
day last week. We turned it down though. The boys wanted the coconut pie
and I NEVER refuse Barbara's blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream
on it. Polly got what she always gets for dessert ... "just a bite of
yours."
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Anyhoo, there is my recommendation for when you visit our
Pensacola/Mobile/Gulf coast area. So now you tell me: Where do
I eat in your town?
The Best Place to Eat - by Andy Andrews
