Such is the advice for anybody who reads this. Tonight Britt, Kayla and I planned on getting some fish and chips from Baker St. Pub & Grill on Camp Bowie Blvd in Fort Worth. It’s been a long time since I had fish and chips (at least a year), so I was very excited about this endeavor. When we got there, the place was packed: a good sign. We found a parking space and stepped into the restaurant.
“IDs.”
Now, it’s really not something I comprehend- this idea that an adult would leave one’s house without a form of ID. I haven’t left the house without my wallet since I was in early high school. But tonight, Britt told Kayla to leave it at home. “You don’t need that.”
And that’s the story of how I didn’t have fish and chips. Can I tell you the story doesn’t really end there? It doesn’t.
We started considering other alternatives I found on my iPhone using Urbanspoon as we drove west. Eventually we turned east, settling upon Fred’s Texas Cafe off West 7th downtown. Stepping inside I started wondering if it was a good idea to have arrived at 6:40PM. It was not. The only seating was outside on this balmy September evening, with a cover of $5 for what appeared to be moderately talented Southern rock. We departed without food.
Now over forty-five minutes into our journey for food we settled on The Flying Saucer downtown. Unaware that the full name of the fine establishment was “Draught Emporium,” we attempted to enter. Imagine our surprise when we were again asked for ID. Below is a photo of Kayla exhibiting her frustration that we can’t even get in to eat, since none of us drink (anyway, she’s old enough, folks).
The story continues. Now a full hour and a half into our food-scavenging quest, we started getting desperate. Enter Zippy’s All-American Grill. I need to tell you that this is not the finest dining experience in Sundance Square. In fact it might be the most interesting, or scarring, depending on your intestinal fortitude. With NASCAR and alcohol advertisements adorning the walls, I thought to myself that this might be a taste of real Texas, home of the Beer Barns.
I’ve been to a lot of strange places to eat, and Zippy’s is certainly on the list of places I probably won’t go back to. Britt had his catfish; Kayla and I had hamburgers. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great. After nearly two hours of searching for food, we spent fifteen minutes actually eating. As we walked back to the car, Britt and Kayla stopped in to Schakolad Chocolate Factory and grabbed some of what appeared to be the best chocolate they’ve ever had. I abstained (good Joe, way to watch that diabetes).
After a side trip to Hurst so Britt could empty his car of work files, a quick tour of Arlington (Rangers’ stadium really is that impressive, and the new Cowboys Stadium is unbelievable… photos will be taken), we grabbed gas and some coffee from what Britt considers the greatest gas station on Earth: QuikTrip. Finally, we drove back to Benbrook, where I sit now. (Actually, I’ve been here for a few hours.) So that’s the story of how we visited four cities, four restaurants, and one gas station. And the story of how it is important to always have ID on you. At all times. Always.
And then I found five dollars. (Not really.)
by Joe Kennedy
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