Last week in a Skype visit with my grandsons Elliot and Adam, I learned of their dream ” someday I would like to open a little place of my own”.  So I thought I would share the following about life in the restaurant business;

Somewhere between the excitement of the Broadway stage and a September football scrimmage,  we find the extraordinary phenomenon called the Restaurant.

Restaurants come in assorted sizes, prices and themes.  But all restaurants have the same creed—to serve people every minute of every hour of every day.  And your secret hickory sauce is the same 365 days a year.

Restaurants are composites.  They are  places to fill up, flake out, celebrate, remember, even forget.  To your competitor you are always filled, stealing his help and you have the greatest chef, the  cleanest kitchen with real personality floor staff.  To your guest you are a swinger, party boy, living the life of Riley.  And someday as the always say “when I retire I am going to open a little place of my own”.

Restaurants live with phrases like “were two dishwashers short, the chef picked up his knives and left, and do you call this stroganoff”?  Your steady guest of ten years just told you his steak was cold and this is the last time you will ever see him.  It’s the only business where you are only as good as your last meal served.

A restaurant is a smile on your face with two waitresses short.  A new gray suit with cherry stains on the sleeve.  A high school cheerleader you hired is stealing tips.  It’s shaking hands with the mayor while your left hand is on the plunger. And your daughters ask “when is daddy coming home”?

Restaurants are Friday nights after the ball game, low food cost, Mother’s Day, bus loads of Tri State Band Festival members, and rain on a summer Sunday.  Restaurants are not much for freezing rains, weather warnings, your competitor’s full parking lot, raising prices and the new place going up across the street.

A restaurant is trying to be Walt Disney and Rodgers and Hart while the script is controlled by your friendly banker.  It takes the finesse of the art collector and the fortitude of a plumber.

BUT, a restaurant is the World Series, Rose Bowl and Country Music Awards night, all rolled into one when you hear those heartwarming words “it’s the best meal I ever had and we’ll be back.

So grandsons, think twice, take two aspirins and go to bed.

Love, Papa