There was a time I would’ve thrown up a little in my mouth at the thought of eating out alone. Stephen King captured the feeling in the prom scene of Carrie: “They’re all going to laugh at you. They’re all going to laugh at you.” Nowadays, I’m unstoppable. Just ask Amanda at Big Sam’s.
I’ve been going there up to three times a week for the past twelve years. They’ve served me homemade Peanut Butter pie through divorce, double-grilled hot wings through hangovers, Tuna Tataki through promotions and Bourbon on the rocks though parenthood. I’m there alone quite often. On a day a friend accompanied me, I shoved her towards Amanda’s post at the bar, declaring: “See, I really do have friends!” As usual, Amanda rolled her eyes at me.
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To learn more about the inspired street food available at Streats in Ghent visit them online HERE or click the flier above!
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I usually eat at the bar. I like watching the line cooks juggling orders like they’re pulling off a magic trick. I cut up with them over the “Stomp” like music of the kitchen: sizzle, chop chop, whoosh, kaboom (that’s the steamer door opening/closing – hey, you try and describe it). I’ve met so many people this way. I’ve listened to stories of war told by a photojournalist, been inspired by a pro-surfer turned instructor, thrown back my head and laughed when proposed to by a drunken man twice my age and I’ve encouraged people who, like me, struggle with depression.
You see, for me, eating out alone is therapy. It gets me out of the house. It gets me out of my head. When you can share a meal with someone you don’t know, and talk about the complexities of life and laugh at them, you’ve won. Our friends can’t be there for us, exactly when we want them to be, like some 24-hour psychic hotline. Instead of choosing to be a “victim” of loneliness or isolation, I choose to make it an opportunity.
They say chicken soup is good for the soul; I’m going with Big Sam’s She-crab.
For more on Illustrator Matt Harrison and root beer comics click HERE
1 Comment
Well I certainly hope the next three parts get into the belly of the beast, pun intended.