Hole in the Wall

So today I had an amazing experience. I had lunch with some folks from First at a place called Compton's. This is over in West Columbia, very close to Triangle City, as it was pointed out to me. I had never been but I heard that it was the place to be. We walk in, and it mostly senior citizens that were getting their fill on the South's finest: fried chicken, fried pork chops, country fried steak and things like that. (note the use of fried in every food mentioned) All the waitresses knew the people in our group as well as most of the other people eating at the restaurant. As I found out later, everyone was a regular and had been coming to this place since 1974.

Going to this place made me think about other hole in the wall type restaurants. These are the restaurants that look all run down and make you wonder why anyone would ever eat there. Then you go in and wonder why anyone wouldn't eat there. This places are so much better than McDonald's, Burger King, or Arby's. It is phenominal food at a phenominal place. Yes you might have to wait a little longer than 15 seconds for your food, but in the end it is very worth the wait.

Some other great restaurants I have experienced in my life that come to mind are from back where I was raised in Albany. The first place that comes to mind is The Quickie. It is named that because it comes and goes very quickly. I would go there every Friday morning during high school for prayer breakfast and be greeted by "the usual?" from the amazing Ms Pat, who never gave out menues or had a consistant price.

Another place is Carter's Grill which is also in Albany. This place has some of the best soul food that I have ever had. That's right, soul food. Fried chicken, collards, mac and cheese, cornbread, and a big ole' glass of sweet tea. This was my first meal back in the States after getting back from Australia. The entire place is covered with pictures of famous people that have come in such as Steve Harvey, Deion Branch, and even Bill Clinton.

The point I'm trying to make is, next time you are looking for a place to eat and turn some place down because it looks "rundown," just give it a chance. These places might not be around forever. They are usually family run and they really hope that you are eating a quality product. When ever I eat at a place like that I feel like I am in a part of history, or a part of a story. Can you say that happens at your standardized, no personality, fast food joint?