In a designer world of food, I am proud to say I am a meat and potatoes man. Blame it on my mother's pot roast, I can still hear the pressure cooker sizzling, and smell the meat and carrots and potatoes. So m and p it is for me. Meatloaf with melted cheddar cheese on top and scalloped potatoes at Lucille's on old Route 66 in Oklahoma. A sizzling steak with a baked potato at Cattleman's. Or the chicken fried steak at Lamberts with mashies-I am and p man for all seasons. But in So Cal, when you talk meat and potatoes, it means a burger and fries. And within a 100 mile radius of Los Angeles, just after WWII some great burger stands opened, and still flourish today. Grab your napkins, and let's check them out-
Tommy's-#3 with extra chili and onions. Great chili, big portions, and a standard since 1946, starting from one stand. Finally...now in San Diego. They use paper towels for napkins, need I say more?
Bakers out of San Berdoo-first double kitchen since 1952. Theresa likes their shredded beef burrito, for me a Papa burger please, supersized with the 1/2 pound of fries. Local to the area only, but only an hour by motorcycle. Great reason to get out of town.
Foster's Freeze since 1946. Can you say chocolate dipped cone? Added burgers and fries later, great locally owned for a cheap meal. It's ok to have the cone first-think of it as a three course meal, with all the important food groups.
Carl's Jr. still charbroils their burgers. Since 1946, first taste of California we used to encounter riding from Durango. When eating at the one in Phoenix, I got hooked on Western Bacon Cheeseburgers-bbq sauce instead of ketchup. With an onion ring.
The Double Double at In and Out still makes mouths water since 1946. The most asked for burger for those coming home, or getting out of jail or the hospital. The smell when riding by is intoxicating, and I'll have a strawberry shake-made with real ice cream. Killer fries, always a line, but worth the wait. Add onion, or go animal-the best in So Cal.
Mc Donalds, yeah that one. Started on Route 66 in San Berdoo, just like Bakers, Taco Bell, and others, and was the original fast food burger. The food that introduced me to 1.6 ounce burgers, and warm lettuce. Today prices are high, portions small, and they are trying to reinvent themselves as a Mac Cafe. The standard for fries, and sometimes you just have to have a Big Mac! Last on my list, but the largest in the world. Until In and Out goes nationwide.
Jack in the Box is San Diego based, too bad the food isn't as good as their commercials. Still a Sourdough Jack is never a bad choice. Too mainstream like Mickey D's. Original stand on El Cajon Blvd. is now a taco hut. Figures.
Bob's Big Boy is still serving their double burger, in a restaurant setting. The original they claim. Who from the forties remembers, or cares? And we could also include The Hat for pastrami, "World's Best" the sign says, for my taste it is. How about Taco Bell, Glen Bell, another San Berdoo boy who when encouraged by his friend Glenn Baker of Baker's fame grew and sold out to Pepsi, now YUM Foods. And the local list goes on and on.
So beware when you accuse someone of only being a meat and potatoes man. You are showing a lack of style when it comes to the most basic of the food groups. There is much more than meets the eye-or stomach. Jesus is like that too. Just a man some say. Some just consider Him a myth, or a legend, although contemporary historians talked of Him. Just a teacher, or rabbi, He was , but was the Rabbi of Rabbis. The ultimate, for He taught from a first hand basis. A great prophet? True, He did reveal many mysteries, and talked of the future. He was even the fulfillment of prophecy over 200 times. But He was who He said He was-the Son of God. Who was born of a virgin, died on the cross, and then rose after three days. Any one of those a boast by itself, He did all three! Meanwhile He healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, made the lame to walk, and is the only way to God. The Savior of the world. Just a man?
So let's meet over a burger and fries and share Jesus with you. In love. Your choice, just like when it comes to Him. More than just meat and potatoes, let's add a milk shake and have a true discussion of Jesus. Using the Bible as a reference. But no preaching. We can call it fellowship, but Jesus says wherever two or more are gathered in His name it is church. Burger church. Pass the fries, rather than the collection plate. For Jesus loved to eat too. And when we pray before the meal, we have invited Him to eat with us. And even In and Out puts scripture references on the bottom of their cups! And He has served more than Mc Donalds!
A burger, fries, and a shake-the trinity of meals. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-the trinity of God. Just meat and potatoes? Add a bun, for God tells us that man doesn't live by bread alone. Or Big Macs. Worship the Lord while eating at your favorite burger stand today, and you will never eat alone. Yup, call me a meat and potatoes man. Praise the Lord, and pass the ketchup, please!
love with compassion,
Mike
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