Strange encounters of the brief kind (10/10/08)
“Le spectacle est dans la rue (the theatre is in the street)”
* Blaise Cendrars
You never know who you’ll find on any given day, on the sidewalk in front of Clifton’s Cafeteria, near the corner of Broadway and 7th. Yesterday there was an incongruous pairing. Huera, under the influence of one thing or another, pranced around happily while a street preacher admonished all within earshot that better behavior is required to avoid damnation. As our little photo session ensued, Huera became increasingly friendly, while the preacher attempted to chase me away, going so far as to warn that her spiritual connections would surely bring ill health if I didn’t move away quickly . . .
Hello Dave, Philippe the Original (on Alameda across from train station) turned 100 last week. I have been going there for 50 years. Aside from their commercial value, all walks of life go there for their 9 cent coffee.
LA Timjes article…French dips to be sold for a dime
If you thought the lines at Philippe the Original were bad already, wait until Monday, Oct. 6, which marks the historic restaurant’s 100-year anniversary. On that day, three generations of the Binder family (who have owned Philippe’s with two other families since 1927) will be on hand to help sell the restaurant’s heart-stopping roast beef French dip sandwiches for a dime. That was the price the meaty, juicy sandwiches were sold for when they first appeared on the menu in 1918. The price of coffee, which normally sells for a dime, will be slashed in half to a nickel.
If the Dow continues its downward spiral and the House remains deadlocked on what to do about the financial crisis, the monstrous line that will surely snake around the block Monday may resemble a bread line more than a party. But no matter, those are prices to wait for these days. And Philippe’s French dip sandwich, with liberal amounts of signature hot mustard, is worthy of dedicated, solemn, slow-line celebration, which is just what you’ll find Monday, so make sure to bring some sort of cane chair. And please, be gentle on the restrooms — which with an estimated 2,200 customers daily and up to 4,000 on weekends are on the edge already.
I think the work you are doing is impressive. Seems like important work for the times we are living.