Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 23, 2017

Carrow’s has the AARP discount.

You’re quite a chef, T.J., when it comes to combining things with seafood. (My guess is Leslie’s uncle and Gunther’s mother came there was probably to check on their kids.)

Well, those two may not have sophisticated or adventurous tastes. But all this sounds much better to me than Denny’s.

Actually, salmon and asparagus sounds great!

Wow. This strip[ was surely written weeks ago but it timely echos complains against a recent David Brooks column in the New York Times criticizing elites for having incomprehensible names for vrious deli sandwiches.

Better yet – - – it’s not a retread of a “Luann has a messy room” gag.

Those are the specials. I’d wager that the regular menu is not quite as fancy.

Shrimp and grits is good.

Oyster omelette sounds good.

It’s the theater camp of restaurants.

A pizza is not a pizza without anchovies!

I see that Mr. Gray is in his brunch suit.

I think Mr. Gray is always in his brunch suit.

Why are Mr. Gray’s eyes always closed?

I see they don’t have an adventurous palate.

Who’s the target consumer here?

GAG!!!!! What Wretched Selections!

Old Smiley should rename His ‘Establishment’ the Vomit Comet!

And Yet, some misguided “folks” STILL think that Smiley should be forgiven of any and ALL his sins and be allowed to continue to INFEST the DeGroot RENTAL because “He can Cook???” SERIOUSLY???

How the Hell do you expect Poor Old Les to be able to steal tip money busing tables at a Joint that attempts to “Serve” this kind of Swill???

I thought Mrs Berger would have picked Marie Callender’s. Ham with mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed spinach, pie. Seems like Mrs Berger was raised in the 1970s – but somehow still living in the 1950s. Note I was surprised recently to find that Denny’s now has low cal skillet dishes and gluten free English muffins.

Oh, come on, Mordy! Have a coffee and chill! It ain’t so bad…..except for the parts about salmon, oyster & shrimp. (I find most seafood revolting.)

But the arugula pesto quiche has me salivating!!!

Chicken N’ Waffles…

Shrimp N’ Grits…

Egg N’ Shrimp N’ Gravy (which is basically (Egg Fu Yung)…

Home Fries N’ Fish…

Pizza W/Pineapple….

Cola Mixed W/Root Beer…

Cola N’ Lemon Wedge…

Slice N’ Orange Soda…

Apple Flavored Soda…

Beer Battered Fries N’ Fish…

Jack Daniels Wings…

Rum N’ Coca Cola (♩)…

Vodka N’ OJ…

Jim Beam….

-Wait, where was I even going, with this?

Actually, that food sounds pretty interesting to me. And it assume there’s more standard stuff on the regular menu.

Shrimp and grits is a peak culinary experience. I like mine with cheesy cheddar grits, cooked till it’s a consistency between pudding and polenta, garnished with crumbled bacon, thinly sliced green onion. There are dozens of ways to vary this. Cayenne can add kick. Subtle (not too powerful) garlic shrimp is wonderful. The dish is EASY to make, recipes all over the net. Appetizer size portions aren’t too expensive, but an entrée size is a warm and filling comfort, especially comfy in cold weather.

Well, if they don’t want to go here…and if Denny’s is still not open yet, there’s always Steakback Outhouse…or Ingrown Tony’s…. or how about the Brownwater Grille?

-

Or, maybe Hardly’s? How about IHope? Pizza Whut? Pandering Express? Penny Stodger’s? Cannes-Tucky’s Fly’d Chicken? Dead Lobster? T.G.I. Someday’s?

-

I know! The Thai Tanic!… A Taste Of Grease? Elmer’s? Dusty’s Plate? The Fengar-Lass Grille? the Taka-Staab Attic? Sam And Ella’s?

-

How about Elmer Fudd’s? the Savage Bistro? The Garr-Bahge? Squirrely’s? Rusty’s Spoonery? Lass Chan’s Diner? The Dairy Airre? Cafe Wray’s,A Tropical Island?…If not there, then what about Runner’s?…. Mel’s Diner ?… Okay, then…the Nuts And Flakes Experience?

-

You know something? That bowl of Tomato Soup in the fridge from your last dinner together is probably still good…and you and Mr. G can probably just whip up a grilled Turkey and Cheese on Sourdough with your Panini press…and you don’t even have to wait for a table! Unless Gunther left some experiments going, on it….

For me, hold the pesto. It gives me heartburn. I’ll take my arugula quiche with ricotta and lemon, please. All else here sounds wonderful. Three classic egg dishes, three fish/seafood dishes, some overlap between those categories. I am glad I have wide ranging tastes in food because I can enjoy almost anything you put in front of me, from a stadium hot dog onward. The eagerness to experiment has led me to some sublime experiences… live sea urchin comes to mind. Ru-San’s here in Marietta, Georgia has me on speed dial text message whenever they have it on hand. But I’ve also come across stuff I’m glad I tasted but won’t ever taste again… live scallop being on that list. If I see on a menu ten things I love and one I’ve never tasted, I’ll go for the never tasted one. That led me to an amazing encounter with chitlins in mushroom and wine gravy at Brasserie Le Carrousel de Paris, a couple of blocks from the Louvre on rue de Rivoli. And the pear sorbet, apple sorbet, and hazelnut ice cream (yes, I had all three for dessert) were stupefying in the best possible way. Two things I’ll never try: fugu, for the same reason I won’t go skydiving, and Quiche Lorraine avec Ver de Terre, because, hey, earthworms. No, I don’t care if you wash them thoroughly first. And Klingon gagh, though it might be risky to reject it if served.

I guess whomever translates for them into Spanish doesn’t think “Denny’s” would be understandable to a Hispanic audience, which is a stupid assumption. ( They have Mrs. Berger saying " A soda" instead !). Poor choice of translation, people !!!!

“Pop Cuisine”

“To Quiche, His Own”

“No Fancy Feast For These Cats”

“Bye Bye, Minced And Murky Pie…” (♪)

“I’ll Never Be Your Bistro Of Burden” (♪)

“Me…And My Shad Roe…” (♪)

“Still Looking For A Cheeseburger In Paradise” (♫)

“Grits And Glory”

“Have A Ball, And Pick Up The Asparagus”

“A Rag-Tag Bunch Of Menus”

“Going Oyster Crazy”

“Giving You A Pate On The Head”

“All-Liver Twist”

“Thought I Saw A Pudding Vat!”

or

“We’ll Feed You, If You Lettuce”

I’d take their menu over Denny’s. Denny’s is one of those places you just end up being at. You don’t get up and say “Hey, let’s go to Denny’s!”

Poor Mrs. Berger. She thinks Mac-and-Cheese is the pinnacle of pasta dishes.

Mrs. Berger looks adorable in those glasses. even Hitch has a hard time understanding the menu. thank you for the puddles – free Sunday.

Everything Pru listed sounds like what we call “fru-fru food”. I’d skip over to Denny’s, too.

This strip explains a lot about Gunther.

I’m with them. Love Denny’s menu. I usually get the chicken fried steak, love the white gravy!

Team Evan’s product placement aside; it all sounds good. My problem with KK is that apparently a small salad and a glass of water costs about $24, so any of those other things would require a bank loan.

“Pop’s Cousin (Phil)”

“To Beach, Saison”

“No Dancy Beast For These Clones!”

“Bee Bee, Vince PO’d in my Eye!…” (♪)

“I’ll Never Be Your…. Oh Please This One is the Worst” (♪)

“Me…And My Sharona…” (♪)

“Still Spooking For A Leicester In Paris, Dice?” (♫)

“Smelly Pits And Finding Dory”

“Have A Small, And Zip Up The Gay Paris!”

“A Small Bag Bunch Of Benois”

“Going Ozzy Crazy Train…..All Aboard!!! AHAHAHAHAHHAA…..”

“Giving You A Plate In The Face”

“All-Tomato-Floured Leever Missed”

“Taught Me Pudding In the Hole. Kathleen Johnson Sweetheart, I’d Like To Thank You!”

or

“We’ll Spray You, If You Stand Still and Smile Us”

Denny’s gives the AARP discount, also

I think the joke would work better if these weren’t totally reasonable (and tasty-sounding!) things to put on a menu.

Philistines.

She could try something different for ONE meal. I can see why Gunther is such a big baby, his mommy is one too.

I’ll have the Classic American Homophobe Breakfast, please.

Um, this is California, right? In a town large enough to have at least one major university and a reputable Community College? Nobody would be that taken aback by the menu. (I’m guessing Pitts has better comfort food restaurants than Denny’s as well.)

Denny’s ? UGH !

“Feast…Or Burden?” _(As made popular by Strollin’ Jones)

I’ll never eat your feast of burden

My tummy’s strong, but it’s a hurting

All I want is for a piece of simple toast and tea

-

I didn’t eat your Quiche with Burbon

It’s a mile long buffet, and my feet still hurt from walking

All I want is for that kid to leave the last piece for me!

♦

(Hostess:) Was it sweet enough? Was it too tough? Did we cook it long, enough?

But don’t think of skipping out on me!

-

I never knew about yeast with ferment!

Where’s your restroom, so I can go and draw the stall door?

Muzak on the celing radio

Come on lady, while I’m in there, refill my tea!

♦

(Hostess:) Was it strong enough? Did you even have a cup? Was it rich enough?

Was it rich enough, that you’ll leave some real money?

-

Is that Twisted Sister on the speakers? No, No, wait, it’s a Pat Boone Hard Rock Cover…

It’s so pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty…

("Feast, Part Two:)

No shirt, No shoes, then they won’t serve you

Should’ve thought of that, before I grabbed this menu

Fwah…uh, Fwah’s Grass? Is that something for Rabbits?

Help me solve this mystery!

-

Yeah, all your Chitterlings… I can cut ’em up! Red Eye Gravy…throw it all at me, I can slurp it up!

I know, I know, you keep telling me “This is The Greece Pit, and we don’t do Hoagies”!

♦

(Me:) Now, I keep thinking…did I bring enough… enough… oh, money!?

Did I hit the ATM, enough? Here you go, this is for that drink, now…

I don’t think I’ll be getting anything else, now!

Lady, just put us both out of this misery…

(I’ll never eat your feast of…)

I’m just going to slide up on out to the Geno’s…

(No, never, never, never…) or even the Gino’s…

(Never need no Quiche with Herb Mint!…)

We’ll go and look for some Breakfast, In America …

Hey, Libby! You can look at me, but don’t you look at my girlfriend!

Yeah, I know, she’s the only one I got! (No, I’ll never eat, with this Feast of Burdens…)

There was a “Luann and Quill dating” Sunday that showed them going to McD’s (replete with logo), and I believe another Denny’s (also with logo) mention, all about how the “eating and hanging out thing” works, over the course of time… Just have to go find when that strip was….

Mr. Gray needs to try the food at the place that he bank rolled, at least once. They might be surprised. After that they can have all the comfort food they want somewhere else.

Being a single mother without alimony or child support to live on, Mrs Berger has simple tastes – cooked simple dishes. The Fuse’s menu is too exotic for her. Now Mr Gray learns this about her and will not take her anywhere but Denny’s after this.

And the menu is too fancy for a place named “Kafe Kablooie.” What an awful name. The DeGroots need to re-name their restaurant to match the menu.

Last week we saw too few people signed into summer camp. This week so far we are seeing a tiredness with TJ’s culinary inventiveness.

Are we going to be seeing a shaky time for The Fuse?

Retail businesses typically take two years in the real world before they are in the black. Restaurants and other entertainment businesses often take longer.

Hopefully, both The Fuse and K2 are incorporated, that providing essential protection during times of hardship. For example, a family is protected from many losses caused by a business failure, better protected from loss of business during times of personal hardship such as illness debts or death (one of the reasons for a great many decades that hardly anyone losses the farm after a death), etc.

Still, i do wonder. Financial hardship for the business is a possibility that opens avenues to new plots, and the early years for any business or business owner are shaky ones. That is also true for self-employed people such as writers, cartoons, or consultants.

Nor should people assume that business as usual, debt management, legal options and so on for the much publicized wealthy or large businesses translate to what small businesses and their people need. The situations differ enormously. I know that these days some encourage thinking in clumps, but with people many clumps are too artificial to be accurate.

Oysters and scrambled eggs was once a local specialty known as a “Hangtown Fry” in Placerville, California. Placerville is a Gold Rush town that got its “Hangtown” nickname because or its version of gold rush justice. I seem to recall that the “hangtown fry” is associated with the town because of a condemned prisoner who requested oysters for his last meal, knowing that the time it would take to fetch the delicacies and get them to Placerville would add a few days to his life.

I have enjoyed a few Hangtown Fries in Placerville many years ago, but sadly, wasn’t able to find any restaurants offering this specialty on my most recent visit there.

Anyhow, K2’s daily specials sound interesting and potentially tasty… and in all likelihood, the regular menu would offer more pedestrian choices. To me today’s strip says more about Mrs. Berger’s conventional approach to food (which is probably pretty thrifty, as well) than it does about K2’s offerings.

Well, Denny’s would not be my alternative choice, but the Kafe Kablooie menu sounds like a misplaced attempt at being Smart and Upscale in a small-scale town like Pitts. I might try the arugula pesto quiche, if with a strong red wine, but I can see why Mrs. Berger, accustomed to her own home-cooking, would not be too thrilled by the fancy-nancy menu selections….

Amazing how many different names there are for scrambled eggs mixed with stuff !