Last night while watching one of the hundreds of cooking shows broadcast daily, Anthony Bourdain questioned, "where do chefs go to eat after a busy day?" According to Mr. Bill, who sampled most of Fred's News food everyday, "no one wants to see a skinny chef!" Having gone from right around one hundred seventy pounds in 1986, to just below two hundred forty pounds a the time of our departure in 2007, I would say "that's taking it a tad bit to far!" Regardless of his over indulgences, Mr. Bill was like a walking, talking billboard. "What's good for breakfast today, chef?" patrons would ask. "Everything, but if you want something extra special, try some of Mom's Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, it'll stick with you all day!" he would say with an evil smile. It will stick with you more than all day, "over the lips and onto the hips!" were my thoughts.
Does anyone remember "Matt the Breadman"? He visited us everyday, delivering all of our breads and rolls. He began working just out of high school, taking over the delivery route in eastern Connecticut. Originally hailing from Rhode Island, Matt was a character. On his days off, he would ocassionally visit Fred's News, giving us the opportunity to meet family members. It wasn't until he married a young woman whose Mom owned Charlene's Diner in Jewett City, that we soon found his restaurant family dining at Fred's. We, on ocassion, would do the same, yet our time was usually already accounted for. Matt often mentioned they loved the ambiance as well as the huge breakfast sandwiches we served. My question: Why didn't they serve the same. He never answered, but my guess....to time consuming and costly. I often said, our Guests didn't mind paying for excellent high quality food, they expected it at Fred's, we delivered. Matt the Breadman's quote: "Fred's News sets the standard for all small restaurants in Eastern Connecticut!" I'm not sure about the quote but, hell it sounded pretty cool. Wonder how his Mother-in-law felt?
Yet we were always visited by "restaurant people" from all over New England. They'd actually let us know they too did this for a living. One gentleman that lived in Hatford, came in every weekend, ask a million questions, eat and leave. One day, his friend arrived without him, confiding to us, he was going to make the same at his place today, that was why he wasn't in. We laughed saying, "bout time he asked enough questions." Two weeks later, both arrived: "how was your new menu recieved? we asked. "Well, it didn't taste like yours, exactly, but I thought it was pretty decent until one of my customers said, hey you ought to visit this little place in Baltic, I think it's called Fred's News, now they know how to make a GREAT breakfast!" Evidently our friend didn't ask enough questions! Silly man, good food and fun, were the results of two very passionate and caring people!
Does anyone remember "Matt the Breadman"? He visited us everyday, delivering all of our breads and rolls. He began working just out of high school, taking over the delivery route in eastern Connecticut. Originally hailing from Rhode Island, Matt was a character. On his days off, he would ocassionally visit Fred's News, giving us the opportunity to meet family members. It wasn't until he married a young woman whose Mom owned Charlene's Diner in Jewett City, that we soon found his restaurant family dining at Fred's. We, on ocassion, would do the same, yet our time was usually already accounted for. Matt often mentioned they loved the ambiance as well as the huge breakfast sandwiches we served. My question: Why didn't they serve the same. He never answered, but my guess....to time consuming and costly. I often said, our Guests didn't mind paying for excellent high quality food, they expected it at Fred's, we delivered. Matt the Breadman's quote: "Fred's News sets the standard for all small restaurants in Eastern Connecticut!" I'm not sure about the quote but, hell it sounded pretty cool. Wonder how his Mother-in-law felt?
Yet we were always visited by "restaurant people" from all over New England. They'd actually let us know they too did this for a living. One gentleman that lived in Hatford, came in every weekend, ask a million questions, eat and leave. One day, his friend arrived without him, confiding to us, he was going to make the same at his place today, that was why he wasn't in. We laughed saying, "bout time he asked enough questions." Two weeks later, both arrived: "how was your new menu recieved? we asked. "Well, it didn't taste like yours, exactly, but I thought it was pretty decent until one of my customers said, hey you ought to visit this little place in Baltic, I think it's called Fred's News, now they know how to make a GREAT breakfast!" Evidently our friend didn't ask enough questions! Silly man, good food and fun, were the results of two very passionate and caring people!
One of the most important things in a restaurant is that the food gets to you hot. Fred's News always served food hot. It was always consistent that way. People looked forward to that.
ReplyDeleteHow true, nothing is more irritating than luke warm food. Same for coffe, it's got to be hot!!!!
ReplyDelete