The suburbs

So I live in suburbia right? And in suburbia we have a plethora of chain restaurants. In fact, that is all we have. There isn’t a mom and pop place on this side of the Bay that isn’t a dive-y Mexican joint. Lots of times I want me some dive-y Mexican food, but sometimes I want me some chain restaurant fare. Not often, but occasionally. Lately, I’ve really been craving Olive Garden salad. I just want the big bowl, a fork and to have everyone stand back.

However, apparently everyone in all of suburbia loves them some Olive Garden. Three times we have been to Olive Garden and three times we have been disappointed by the over an hour wait. Ok, the first time was my fault. 7:30 on a Friday night and everyone is going to have a line. We ended up grabbing a pho bowl to go and curling up with a dvd.

The second time was on a Saturday night at 8:45. The wait? Just under two hours. Don’t people go to bed anymore? Who wants a tummy full of pasta at bedtime? Freaks, that’s who! The best part of this encounter was the people who followed us out of the restaurant and said, “Well, I guess we could try Red Lobster, although they’ll probably be just as busy since they’re a better place.” Seriously, people? Red Lobster? Better? Frozen seafood covered in margarine? Better? Do you not live on a large bay? Full of FRESH seafood? Whatever. I think we had McDonald’s that night. Grill chicken sammich and a sweet elixir of life.

The last time we had a plan! We got there at 5:15 on a Sunday afternoon. Ok, technically evening. Who eats supper at 5:15 on a Sunday? Who eats supper at 5:15 period? Not us, as the wait was still over an hour. We hopped in the car and decided to try Claim Jumper as it’s new to us over here in suburbia. Ha! By 5:30 there was a line out the door just to get in! Seriously, who eats supper at five freaking thirty?

We’d still be driving around trying to find supper if it weren’t for In&Out. Screw Olive Garden and their over an hour wait and God bless In&Out with their empty restaurant.