I took “She Who Must Be Obeyed” out to diner for her birthday the other evening. “CHRISTY’S SUNDOWN” was her choice of places to go.

We had not been to “CHRISTY’S since Nick sold it and the new owners took over. So we were both wondering if it were going to be the same. We were pleasantly surprised to find that for the most part things had remained the same. The Ugly dresses that the waitresses had to wear were no where to be seen. That was the only thing that was noticed.

We did miss Nick working the room. I seemed that no matter when we were their Nick was in the dining room talking with his customers. On every occasion that he stopped to speak to us he would give a flower to “She Who Must Be Obeyed.” This wasn’t something that he had to do but it was a nice touch. Nick Christy will be missed.

CHRISTY’S hasn’t changed much on the surface. The food is far above average. Steaks came just the way they were ordered. The atmosphere, except for some of the customers, is as pleasant as they come.

Our server name was KAREN. This young lady knows her way around a table. We could not have asked for better service. She brought our beverages and inquired if we would like to take our time and enjoy our time before ordering. We never wanted for anything that was not handled by KAREN in a jiff.

I mentioned the customers. I think of CHISTY’S as a nicer place to eat. So unlike some of our Canadian visitors we get cleaned up and put on our long pants and something besides a T-shirt and sandles. I must admit its not just the Canadians but a number of our locals are dressed more for work then going out for diner. Restaurant dress and behavior is a whole different rant, will do that some other time.

CHRIST’S can get a little pricey for every day dining. Our bill was a little over a hundred bucks before tip.

CHRISTY’S pretty much sets the level for food and service in the Winter Haven area. I give it 4 ½ spoons out of 5

Talk about Chamber of Commerce weather. Nights are cold enough that they give you a good excuse to get close to your sweetie. Days are warm enough to make it just wonderful to be outside.
The weather has been nice enough the past days that one almost forgets how we aren't getting what we pay for.
It's a good thing that I don't have to pay for this weather. There is no way that I could afford it. What would the charge be for the beautiful blue skys? How much for the breeze?
Went shopping, stopped for coffee,wanted to sit outside but couldn't because of the cars with their boom boxes. Some jackass went passed us with his system full blast. I did not want to hear about "My bitch went down on me." I felt sorry for the people with kids who had to hear this junk. What do you say to them?
I realize kids like and want their loud music. But why do I have to feel what they are listening to? Why must I be forced inside?
Where are the cops? Why aren't the merchants up in arms about this happening?
I don't really have a good answer for this problem. We have laws that should cover this kind of stuff but the cops for what ever reason choose not to inforce them. (at least they didn't in Lakeland this past Sunday)
But as I said from the start it was a Beautiful day. I hope my friends got to enjoy some of it.

EXPECTING TOO MUCH?



I believe that:

When I order something hot in a restaurant I should get it hot, the same goes for something cold. If they can’t get it to me in a timely manner get more help.

That I shouldn’t have to put up with women who have fingernails far beyond anything close to normal touching my food or anything that belongs to me. These people can’t possible wipe their own butt with those nails. But yet some stores will let her touch my food.

I should not be seated at a dirty table. Can’t get the tables clean fast enough, get more help. OR get help that can do the job.

I believe that:

I should be able to finish my meal before I am asked if I want dessert. And since they stopped how about they take a dirty dish with them. Servers might find that tables get cleaned a lot faster that way.

Restaurant owners would try to higher help who are at least willing to try to do a good job.

If servers were paid more we could expect more.

That restaurant help that do not wash their hands after using the rest room, handling money, or stopping for a smoke should be fired on the spot.

That servers should take the gum out of their mouth before coming to a table. I know some of them are trying to show me that they can walk and chew gum at the same time but I’m not impressed

The best thing about going someplace and getting rotten service is I don’t have to tip.

GETTING BACK ALL THE TIME

Getting better all the time? WINN-DIXIE really should put that in the form of a question. While some things have changed, some really important things remain the same.

The Auburndale WINN-DIXIE needs to do something about the people that have working the Customer No Service Desk. I asked the young lady behind the counter to direct me to an item that was needed to make jelly. I realize that there are a lot of items in the store and one young girl can’t know where all of them are hidden. But to get the answer, “Go ask one of the cashiers” somehow just doesn’t cover it. So now I am the one how has to go stand in a line to ask someone else who’s job has nothing to do with were items are located on the shelves.

I don’t think I am asking too much from Customer No Service. She could have called a bagboy or some kind of manager to help me. The store down the street would have done it that way. Can you guess the name of that store? It sure isn’t another WINN-DIXIE.

WINN-DIXIE, at least in Auburndale needs to do something about the service or lack there of that they offer.

After putting in a hard hour at the “office” this morning She Who Must Be Obeyed called a lunch break.
The most difficult thing was deciding where to go to eat. Not really a lot to pick from around the “office”. We drove over to KAZBOR”S in Auburndale.

For those who don’t know the place, it’s a nice little eatery in the same shopping center as WINN-DIXIE. It is part of a small chain. Don’t know if they are all sports restaurants but this on is. It is also very pleasant inside.

The lunch rush seemed to be over as the restaurant wasn’t too busy when we arrived.

The young man at the door must have been trying out for band leader or something. After confirming that there were two of us; “How many?” “Two”, “That’s two?” “Yes there are two of us!” “Two, good.” He then lead us about fifteen feet into the restaurant, stopped in his tracks, turned around and said “Can’t seat you there, hold on please.” So there we stood as he walked around looking at all the empty tables trying to pick one out just for us. He found us a nice booth just a little ways from where we had stopped. Then he said “Someone will be with you soon.”

KAZBOR’S is NOT the place to go if you only have an hour for lunch!

Thank goodness for all the TV’s. They gave us something to do while we waited for the waitress.

We were informed that the special was Two burgers for the price of one. If this is the special when you go in, get it. They were both cooked the way we ordered them, one well, on medium. I wish that the fries had been warm. Had the waitress come back I would have asked for warm fries. She did reappear just about the time we were finished eating. She grabbed my empty drink in a flash. Brought me a fresh drink, set it down, and before I could say a word she was gone. I didn’t see her until I went up to the bar and stood there waiting to get my bill. Bad or lack of service sure saves on tips.

KAZBOR’S gets: For food two and a half spoons. Good Burgers, bad fries.
Service earns them half of a bent spoon.
Price earns them Three spoons. Couldn’t have eaten cheaper and had it be good anywhere else in town.

1 Spoon or less is…
5 Spoons is the best