Most of the day was spent on the phone with everyone we know securing sponsors for the radio show we are moving to a real frequency starting May 4th. There were podcasts scheduled for late afternoon, so around 1pm I had to get away from the phone, and poor Tom is always looking to get away. I made him an unusual offer.
A podcast or two ago, we talked about the first McDonald’s opening and the subject moved on to fast food in general. He lamented its demise into what it has become from those early days of MacDonald’s, but I challenged him on the Popeye’s Chicken sandwich as an example of fast food that is actually worthwhile. He was skeptical. Today I had just a few minutes to get away and Popeye’s was close, so for our shot at the raging culinary phenom, I pitched a quick trip into the line of cars that sits on the highway. Still skeptical, he got into the car. Okay, I might have dragged him a little.
We were lucky to be the car that was mostly in the parking lot, only our bumper sticking out. The line moved decently because at first, I was worried about getting back for the scheduled podcast. We ordered two chicken sandwiches to compare the spicy and mild versions, and Tom wanted french fries. Popeye’s has a tolerable version of battered fries, a concept I have never been able to understand.
A funny thing happened in the car lines as we paid our bill. It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t get much attention usually, but it renews your faith in humanity, and the goodness still out there. We were told when we ordered that the total was $10 something, but when we paid and she handed back the card she informed us that it was really only $5 something because the car in front of us paid $5 on the bill of the car behind him. It’s times like these that spur actions like that which make you realize there is a way back from all this.
So what about the sandwich?? First let me say that the brioche bun on this sandwich is superior to all others because usually, I have no use for that bread. I like the light sludge of grease that makes it shine. The chicken is first-quality, the pickles a little thick for my taste but still good. The mayo sauce is really tasty, and overall, this IS a good sandwich and a great value at $3.99. No wonder there are lines on the highway every day. Poor chickens.
Tom was, against his better judgment, also powerfully impressed. He had no plans to eat a Popeye’s fast-food chicken sandwich and hated himself for doing so. But he made several comments along the way as he inspected it like, “this is really nice white meat. This is good chicken. Another ‘Special’ sauce? I like it.” And various other observations that were clearly approval.
So yesterday, on our little table on the deck basking in another day of glorious spring weather, Tom Fitzmorris had a Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich for lunch. And liked it.
Further proof that the world is right now completely out of whack.
