Thursday, November 30, 2006

The Cracker Barrel Episode

Back at home after a two-day business trip to New Jersey. On the way home last night, I became hungry and decided to stop for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants – Cracker Barrel! I pulled off I-95 and drove into the crowded parking lot just before 8pm. I had never eaten at this particular Cracker Barrel before, but I was looking forward to a nice plate of meatloaf as I parked my car and walked up to the front porch with all the rocking chairs out front. As I opened the door to enter the restaurant, I was stopped by two CB employees, a young man and a woman in an official Cracker Barrel apron.
“I’m sorry sir, but we close at 8pm tonight for our Christmas Party, we can’t let you in,” the gent informed me.
It must have been obvious to him that I was disappointed, because I don’t think I said anything to him, but I looked at him with a blank stare and open mouth. He went on, “we’ll be opening again at six.”
“Oh,” I said, “That's fine, I’ll just wait then.” And I moved to find myself a rocker on the front porch.
The two employees didn’t know what to make of this and they looked at each other with a puzzled expression.
“Six o’clock in the morning, sir. We open at six in the morning!” the young man explained.
“Oh, I see” said I, (making as if I was just beginning to understand) and I headed back to my car and drove away.

Can you guess where I went for dinner after this disappointment? (Hint: I had a double patty melt sandwich on Texas Toast with a side of hash browns – don’t be alarmed, I had a salad for lunch, so I didn’t have an immediate cardiac arrest.)