We have all heard the expression “mouthwatering.” Well, let me tell you it is not just an expression. It’s the real thing. My father-in-law, Willard, would grill his ribs for six to eight hours. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Unfortunately for him, between the beers he drank and the ribs he “tested,” by the time we sat down, he was no longer hungry.
When I worked at the Department of Transportation, there were three food trucks parked on 7th Street. Nobody was lined up at two of the trucks and the third truck had two long lines (one in front and one at the side entrance). I had heard that the young man who operated the truck was working his way through college.
I always ordered a half-smoked with mustard relish and onions. I’m watering right now. I knew they weren’t good for me, so I limited myself to once a week. Sometimes I cheated. Yes, the building had a cafeteria, but my first visit to the cafeteria was when I was interviewing for the job. I decided to use the men’s room to comb my hair. When I entered, I found a homeless man taking a bath at the sink. That had a chilling effect on my use of the cafeteria.
After three years at DOT, I spent the next 14 years downtown. Periodically, I would have to go over to DOT. My visit always included the lunch hour. Then one day the truck was gone! I felt like walking around the block to see if he parked somewhere else. But he was gone, and I remember what my wife, Carole, always said, “Get over it!” Ironically, losing her is the one thing I can’t seem to get over.
I transferred my loyalty to Subway. Generally, I hate standing in line to order, knowing that if I can’t make up my mind, I’m holding up the line. As you have probably figured out, I always order the same thing. I get a six-inch sweet onion chicken teriyaki on wheat bread with provolone cheese. After the lettuce and tomato bit, I drowned it in sweat onion and honey mustard sauce. When they are wrapping it, it looks like a puddle. Then, I slip off somewhere and happily devour it.
The last two years, I’ve taken my daughters and granddaughter to Ocean City. As soon as we hit the Boardwalk, I found my Subway shop, but the girls refused to join me. They opt for some tourist joint. Kristin, my granddaughter, said, “Grandpa, you need to up your game.” Then she explained that I should try Jimmy Johns or Jersey Mikes. That would mean standing in line uncertain as to what to order. People lined up behind me wanting me to hurry up. No thanks.
So, I got my mouthwatering sub and sat down at one of their picnic tables. I took about six napkins and figured I might use them all. After one bite and one wipe, the napkin blew away. The wind was brisk, and it was moving down the Boardwalk. I did the right thing and quickly went after it. After I retrieved it, I was startled to see four or five sea gulls fighting over my sub! By the time I got back, the birds were gone, my sub was gone, and I was left with only a gooey wrapper. I found where the girls had gone and ate some of their soggy French fries.