Hamburger, French Fries and Coke

 I had a couple funny conversations this week that tied together, inspiring this short prose. First, on Wednesday we commemorated the 53rd anniversary of Man's Walk On The Moon. 53 years really...wow that's about one food service career. If you asked me what I wanted to eat the first 25 years of my life it was Hamburger, French fries and Coke. Ironically my career started at the McDonalds on 175th and Indianapolis Blvd in Hammond Indiana. Graduating MSU Hotel school and eventually working in the industry as my career. 

The "store" as we called it had a huge stockroom in back with shirts and hats we put on everyday. Most times they were clean sometimes you got the last shifts. On Saturday mornings Lou Nazzaro (owner of all the Region stores) would come in and make himself a double cheeseburger. Wow...the owner. Lou had a Caddy convertible with leather interior and 4 stores. We wanted to be Lou back then.

Well I wasn't Lou. I was the fryman ...after working all the stations I fit best there and flourished. In the old days we cut our own fries. We soaked them in the 3 compartment sink and peeled them in the Hobart peeler above. Cut them, blanched them (pre cook) in beef tallow (fat) and hung them in rack baskets waiting to finish them when you ordered. They were the best...eventually they became frozen consistent potato sticks from Idaho. They were cooked in a Proctor and Gamble styled liquid fat (think Fry Max). They were supposed to be healthier...the jury is still out on that one. I made 95 cents an hour and all I could eat on my two breaks. I would work open to close Saturday and Sunday. Leaving Sunday night after the Sherwood Club Wild Goose concerts... the patrons would storm us for their late night munchies. 

I worked the Saturday Ronald McDonald came to visit we went through all 3 racks bagging fries for 4 hours. What a party that was.

You're fired!

That day (moonwalk) was not without drama at the store. The management choose to cross train me on the grill and I was buried deep in burgers while everyone was listening to the moonwalk on the office radio. Yep portable radio. I asked for help and they shusssed me. I made a snide remark and suddenly it was about me. You're fired I was told. First time being fired but not too scary. 17 year olds firing a 15 year old. I used the office phone to call my Mom to come get me. I was unemployed one day. They forgot I was their best fryman and they had no one to cover the Tuesday night shift. The rest is the career. 53 years...smiling.

Cars, Cars and more Cars

 I know I know where have I been? Doing nothing really and the Tao says "do nothing and nothing remains undone". I did have a New York Strip from Stonnington Farms. Very nice... today I sauteed 2 dozen Wild Caught Gulf Shrimp for my weeks protein. I'm developing more recipes too.

BUT...this last few days the Cruisin the Coast buzz has been growing. My BEMA (Big Easy Mopar Assn) guys are prepping their cars. One of my FB groups asked what the most scary car following you was...the consensus was a Dodge Charger cop car lights blazing. I posted our twin 2011 Dodge Father/Daughter Nitros with the Scatpack tags. I did get the "not really very scary" comments which made me want to challenge with my car history. I did. I am.

Since Chrysler acquired AMC in 1987 they are a part of the MOPAR Group too. So my 1969 AMX two seater 390 cu 4 speed Hurst with Drag Pack qualifies. Very fast and I did get to race it in Cincinnati. It was my first restoration. That was in college. It was my last "hi po vintage machine"

Speaking of drag racing my track was US 30 Dragstrip (https://lostindiana.net/2001/08/01/us-30-drag-strip-hobart/)      4 miles east of Gary (IN) on highway US30. Where the "great ones run" on

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!

The Cuda below is pictured on a different track. This is actually the landing strip at the old US ARMY airbase Fliegerhorst Caserne Hanau West Germany. The car was shipped over and raced by one of the NCOS. I had a 1971 340 CUDA myself in orange. It was fun going to the Army drags. One Sunday afternoon the races were stopped to land a plane.

Topics come up hourly on the FB groups asking all sorts of questions. One was "What wheels were the best?" The Cragar S/S Mag wheel has always been the number one wheel in my book. Shown below off their website, Ironically I owned the Gold Supertricks shown on the AMX above.

But the question I responded too I answered "Fenton mags". I bought a set of Fenton Slotted mags for my 1968 Dodge Charger. They were popular and I paid about $25 a piece for them used. I should have bought the car they were on too...a 1968 Ford Galaxy Convertible. 

I've had a few cars and all of them have stories. We're not finished driving yet...unless I get money, a limo and a driver then it's like the Rock and Roll Express Disney ride. Taylor and my favorite.

See ya in my rear view mirror...the lights green.