Is clean silverware seriously too much to ask for?
Yesterday afternoon we went to IHOP to eat. When I was a little I loved IHOP. It was a special little treat because we didn’t have an IHOP in Iowa. So I could only go to IHOP when I visited my mom. I can’t remember if we went when she lived in California or if it was when she lived in Jersey, but either way it was a yummy place to eat on my summer vacations with my mom.
But now I’m starting to think that the IHOP appeal wears off with age.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a sucker for breakfast for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I could gobble me up some french toast for dinner any day of the week. And those New York Cheesecake pancakes make my mouth water just thinking about them. Come on. Cheesecake. In a pancake. It’s like I’ve died and gone to heaven.
But IHOP (at least the one right by my house) is just about the most disgusting place I’ve ever eaten, aside from greasy diners in the middle of nowhere but right off the interstate or “restaurants” nestled next to flea bag motels in the bad side of town.
Yesterday we sat down at our table and the hostess handed us our menus. Our very sticky, could hardly open them, menus. Um…yuck. They are plastic. They are meant to be wiped down. Get a damn washcloth, preferably a clean one, and wipe down your menus at night. It will take a teenager all of fifteen minutes to do.
I ordered those New York Cheesecake pancakes and then reached for my napkin to unwrap my silverware. What did I find? One knife. No fork. Not even a spoon. And the knife? It was filthy. If you know anything about me you know that I am very picky about goes in to my mouth. I have been known to push my plate away and not eat another morsel if somebody touches my food. I will not drink from a cup in a restaurant if they do not bring me a straw. And I definitely will not eat with a disgusting, dirty knife.
The waitress brought me a whole new set of silverware. A full set. With an actual fork, spoon and knife. I examined each of them very closely checking for dirty food parcels or anything else out of the ordinary. All looked good except for the fork. One of the prongs was completely bent out of shape. It looked like it had been caught in the garbage disposal or something. It made it quite an experience to eat with. And I don’t mean that in a good way.
I showed my fork to Keaton and said, “I’m going to start bringing my own silverware to restaurants.”
He didn’t miss a beat and responded with, “Of course you are. I can totally see you doing that. You’ll probably even bring your own plate and ask them to put your food on that.”
He knows me so well.
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Mrs. Who Said,
July 22, 2008 @ 7:20 am
I had those cheesecake pancakes while we were on vacation. I was torn between them and an omelet but, luckily, my mom shared with me so I got half of each. The best of both worlds. And our silverware was clean. And menus had no stickiness. Score!
Mrs. Whos last blog post..Pop-Tarts On The Patio. With Butter. Of Course.
Lori aka "is it just me" Said,
July 22, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
What’s up with the sticky menus there? I’ve had that too. People must not be able to handle all the syrup choices at that place so now they’ll be forced to limit that choice to just plan ‘ole maple in an effort to stay on top of cleaning up after their customers.
By the way, their omelets are delic since they put the hash browns right inside the omelet. No messing around with “on the side” or a 2nd plate. BUT, I must still try their pumpkin pancakes (seasonal) sometime!
Lori aka “is it just me”s last blog post..At least someone appreciates them…
Christine's Mom Said,
July 22, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Having been the one to have to pay for the dirty silverware, I agree – it is ridiculous. I got a full set of silverware, but didn’t trust them given that the napkin that they came wrapped in was filthy! Pretty bad when you get a dirty napkin … they presumably start out clean from source. At least the silverware you know is reused so you can see where they screwed up and didn’t clean them.
I think that the IHOP Christine referred to has really gone down hill. When it first opened, the staff was much more diligent about keeping things clean. Or maybe there just wasn’t time for everything to get so dirty! I hope that they clean up their act ’cause the grandkids love to eat there. And it is convenient after the movies and not so expensive as some of the places that they like to eat at.
BTW – to Mrs. Whos … when you get an omelet, you can substitute the default pancakes that they serve with it for the speciality pancakes (mmm … those NY cheesecake pancakes were delicious!!
Shannanb aka Mommy Bits Said,
July 22, 2008 @ 9:54 pm
What a bummer. There is nothing worse than feeling like the restaurant you are getting ready to eat in is suspct.
Sucks too because I love their strawberry stuffed french toast. Now I don’t think I can go there.
Shannanb aka Mommy Bitss last blog post..Why BlogHer Was So Special
sandrar Said,
September 10, 2009 @ 6:59 am
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.