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I'll have the usual...

post #1 of 31
5/13/08 at 5:30am
Thread Starter 
I've been going to a restaurant in Edmonton called the sugarbowl 2-3 times a week for the past year now. It's sort of the defacto hang out spot for most of my friends. I have gotten to know the staff quite well and to be honest, it feels as though they've become part of my circle friends. I've also done some marketing research for the restaurant owner.

The food is tasty, the drink menu is solid, and they play good music. That being said, it DOES get a little predictable and boring sometimes. Still, we keep going back and in many ways, I think that can be attributed to the personal connections that have developed. I just came back from a month long trip in Europe and upon returning to the sugarbowl, the staff were genuinely pleased to see me. That counts for something in my opinion...

So, anyone else have a place where people know what your "usual" is?
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post #2 of 31
5/13/08 at 6:52am
Does the corner Starbuck's count?
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post #3 of 31
5/13/08 at 9:17am
Do liquor stores count?

Kidding.

My local coffee place, that's about it. Atlanta is a nameless, faceless society.
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post #4 of 31
5/13/08 at 9:31am
This place Florios down on Grand between Mullberry and Mott has been my spot. It is one of the only places where you can smoke a cigar and eat a meal in NYC. The food is pretty average, nothing special, nothing terrible, but the atmosphere just works. There was a point where I went 7 straight days, every day I would have a different group of friends there. Some days we would stay 8 hours, some days only an hour or two. Some days it was 4 people, some it was 15. Its a real laid back joint and they play plenty of Sinatra.
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post #5 of 31
5/13/08 at 10:30am
Yes. O'Bryen's 9 Irish Brothers Pub in West Lafayette, IN. We've been going there once a week for about a year now. They give free Irish dance lessons every Tuesday. I have never tried the river dancing myself, but it's fun to go and get buzzed and watch the others do it. Plus the food is phenomenal. Very cool. We go in and the owners and staff greet us, we always have the same seats, etc. I enjoy it very much. I feel almost at home there. And they know our "usual" drink and dinner choices.
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post #6 of 31
5/13/08 at 10:39am
for big chunks of my life I have had places like that - I really used to love it when I could walk into a coffee shop and they knew exactly what I wanted, and when there were people there who knew me.

I am slowly getting that in a few places where I am now - there is a coffee shop around the corner from my house with excellent expresso, and an exceptional italian place.
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post #7 of 31
5/13/08 at 10:42am
Victor's Casa Garcia, by the old house . These days it's too far to drive there, but even now we turn up once in a while and the owner and his son come out to shake hands and ask how we've been. Best tex-mex and margaritas in the city.
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post #8 of 31
5/13/08 at 10:48am
Hamilton's behind my office. Most of the bar staff know me by name and know my drink of choice on fridays.
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post #9 of 31
5/13/08 at 11:39am
The italian deli my wife and I go for lunch almost every sat...as soon as we walk in they just start making our "usual" (hot beef dip) and if we miss going for a couple weeks straight they def comment on it when we return. Family owned by some really nice folks
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post #10 of 31
5/13/08 at 12:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stazy View Post
I've been going to a restaurant in Edmonton called the sugarbowl 2-3 times a week for the past year now. It's sort of the defacto hang out spot for most of my friends. I have gotten to know the staff quite well and to be honest, it feels as though they've become part of my circle friends. I've also done some marketing research for the restaurant owner.

The food is tasty, the drink menu is solid, and they play good music. That being said, it DOES get a little predictable and boring sometimes. Still, we keep going back and in many ways, I think that can be attributed to the personal connections that have developed. I just came back from a month long trip in Europe and upon returning to the sugarbowl, the staff were genuinely pleased to see me. That counts for something in my opinion...

So, anyone else have a place where people know what your "usual" is?

Sure, in DC it's either Central or Cafe du Parc/The Willard Room. The usual at this point is a cocktail on the house and whatever the chef thinks I want to try since I've been to those places so many times they chefs have learned my taste.
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post #11 of 31
5/13/08 at 12:57pm
Jimmy John's Sandwiches. When I walk in the door they immediately start my #4 on wheat, no cheese.
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post #12 of 31
5/13/08 at 1:05pm
There is a little Teriyaki/Korean/espresso (yeah go figure) joint by my house that I frequent. The owner always recognizes me and knows to get crackin on the bibimbap. Which isn't on the menu, but I told her I liked it and so she started carrying all the stuff to make it. Damned good homestyle cookin.
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post #13 of 31
5/13/08 at 1:10pm
I'm a regular at a couple lunch spots and I know the staff, but I tend to order something different from day to day, so no "usual" for me. I do like going back to the same place often though, especially if it's friendly and consistent and the service is good.
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post #14 of 31
5/13/08 at 9:05pm
I've always had a regular bar where they knew my 'usual' until I moved to the UK. While I get out alot in London I dont put in enough time in any given place to get to the point that they know all my tastes.

Best was the one in Amsterdam. If the bartender was busy when I walked in, I would just go behind the bar, pour my drink, and put a chit beside my tab.

Worst was one place in Atlanta. The bartender got it in his head that I liked Bud Light, and everytime I walked in would put one down in front of me with great pride that he had "remembered". I didnt have the heart to tell him, and he never charged me for it, so I would have a Bud Light to start any drinking session in there. I guess it wasnt a big deal as I didnt mind Bud Light at the time

K
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post #15 of 31
5/13/08 at 9:12pm
The coffee place across from work and the deli in the corner by my house.
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