I hate days like today.  I’m working on Saturday, therefore I have to have a day that’s cut in half during the week, and today’s that day.  Sometimes I get to open the bank and get out pretty early.  Today’s not one of those, though.  I get to close up.  Basically, I’m stopping by work for a couple of hours and then going back home.  I try to be productive on days like this, but it’s always weird knowing that eventually you’re going to be at work.

Seeing as how I’ve got all this extra time, I just got my oil changed at Sears, where my best friend works.  However, as it always seems to work out, he’s got the day off.  Nobody’s balls to bust at Sears, I guess.  What the heck am I gonna do with the rest of my free time?

That’s a stupid question.  Time for lunch, and where better than Friendly’s?  There’s one right next door and they’ve got WiFi.  I also like to keep myself up on the latest and greatest in Friendly’s menu developments.  I blame my sister for this, as she spent the last couple of summers waiting tables there and I always managed to mysteriously find myself in Sturbridge whenever she was there.  Her enthusiasm bred mine.

What is this I dont even

What is this I don't even

And so, there’s a new menu today.  Some new offerings, including this burger melt that has those nacho chips from the salads on it, along with jalapeños.  Zesty queso, indeed.  But I don’t know how that’s gonna work out for my stomach at work, and it said something about chipotle.  Sorry, Bobby Flay, but I don’t roll like that.  I also notice a burger that is put between two grilled cheese sandwiches.  Someone at Friendly’s world headquarters has been watching Man vs. Food.  I realize that Adam Richman probably gets lots of girls, but he also probably gets lots of indigestion.  I settle on another newbie, this chicken bruschetta sandwich that comes on a ciabatta roll with mozzarella.  When it comes out, I’m pretty pumped until I go to grab it.  It falls apart and it’s soggy from the balsamic vinaigrette.  I get some silverware and dig in.  It’s actually pretty good.  I figure that it would be better as an open faced sandwich.  The chicken is grilled well, the cherry tomatoes go well with it, and the dressing is good.  The roll makes it pretty satisfying, even with a knife and fork.

The cook ends up stopping by to see what I think.  He apologizes for not giving me silverware along with it.  ”Yeah,” I say, “I think it would work better if it was…”

“An open faced sandwich, right?”  We laugh.  I like this guy.  I finish up and even stick around because I’ve got a free Happy Ending sundae coming.  My sister always mentioned how ridiculous she thought it was for people to come and eat there but not actually stay for dessert.  I just think it’s counterproductive.

Well, this chocolate almond chip’s for you, Friendly’s.  Now, I’d better get to work.