When it comes to eating out (almost always at allegedly “fast” food places), Ben loves it. But that’s all he loves about it. What he cannot stand (and everybody in the joint usually knows it) is the prelude: Ordering, especially if there is a line, then waiting for the food. So, Karen and I find ways.
Our Five Guys way is to order by phone 15 minutes ahead, and instruct them to have the fries ready with the rest of it, since, to maximize freshness of which Ben could give a hoot, they typically only put the fries in the oil when people arrive to pick up their to-go order.
But our to-go order is actually not to go. Ben eats it there, after he and I first drop Karen off at the door so she can go in, wait in line if necessary, pay, and bring the food to the table.
While she is doing that, Ben and I park the car — as far away as possible. Ben doesn’t seem to mind, since the destination is chow.
This shot is post meal. Yup, that’s Ben, Karen, our car, and Five Guys in the distance. Hey, a little pre and post lunch walk does the body good, even if it is across a cracked and steaming field of asphalt on a 90 degree day.