What Makes Some Eateries So Special?

I had an interesting revelation today due to a dining experience.  We had planned (and did go) to do some Bald Eagle watching near the St. Louis area.  On the way out, there is a small hole-in-the-wall sandwhich place that we've been too several times before and was a more regular stop for my wife growing up in the area.  I enjoy it. They have a nice variety of sandwhiches, but have some killer desserts.  One of which is a homemade ice cream drumstick.  This is no average drumstick; however.  First, is is gigantic.  It is made with a coffee ice cream ball the size of a grapefruit.  It is dipped in chocolate and covered with pecans.  The ice cream cone is attached so you know that it is a drumstick, but would be an ill-advised handle.  You need to eat this thing in a bowl.  We usually share one of these everytime we go.

This time around; however, we had our sandwiches and to my wife's disappointment, I declined the offer for the drumstick.  She wasn't too upset, though.  She has also been on the Bodybugg for a few weeks now and is now losing a few pesky pounds she put on this past summer.

Anyway, my interesting observation was that while this place is nice and all, the sandwiches really aren't anything too special; it must have been the ice cream.  I  mean, I really did like there sandwiches and looked forward to them, but perhaps it was really just the prospect of the ice cream that really was holding my interest.  After all, I had a basic turkey sandwich on whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, and no other condiments.  Tough to get too excited about that.  And since we didn't have the ice cream treat afterward, the averageness of the sandwich really shined through.  Sure, I could have ordered the French dip, or a BBQ cheeseburger, etc., all of which would have been thoroughly enjoyable, but then again...it would have been a continuation of my pattern of food comfort.

I realize that this isn't a big shocking revelation.  I just find it interesting the kind of attachment that we have to certain restaurants and for certain reasons.  Perhaps just because of the ice cream drumstick, it somehow elevated the rest of the food to stratospheric levels as well.

I am a food addict.  I know how much emphasis I put on eating and eating food that was good regardless of whether it was good for you.  Nowadays, I still enjoy eating, but I guess it is a bit muted for me since I have reduced its role in my life to something that keeps me from fainting instead of the nourishment for my soul.  In some ways, I'm sad about this.  It is somewhat of a loss; something that provided comfort and perceived joy is now just something to eat.  I'm sure I'll regain it someday, but hopefully in a different form; maybe I'll lust after that perfect vegetable or something.

Anyway, I guess it just stopped and made me think about the level of importance I have placed on food and the influence it has had over me.  Only a few things that I'll let you imagine should ever take such center stage in our lives; food isn't one of them.  Hopefully now that other things will get more attention than before, I have an even greater opportunity to get better and better.

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