My restaurant recommendation? Don’t ask

Opinion

Discussion

July 22, 2010

THE VIEW FROM HERE

By JIM HARDIN CNHI The Zope Gazette Thu Jul 22, 2010, 07:08 AM CDT

Washington, DC — Wife Becky and I have decided that if we find a restaurant that suits our tastes, we’re not telling anyone.

Based on recent history, when we have found a restaurant we really liked, we excitedly told friends and relatives. Of course, they eventually went to the restaurant, expecting the same excellent dining experience that we bragged about.

In almost every case, of course, they left disappointed.

Example No. 1 of three involves hamburgers.

We have our favorite restaurant for hamburgers. Ordering hamburgers from this establishment is a weekly event in the Hardin household. We like them. They’re the best in our opinion.

We bragged to relatives. Our son-in-law visited the same establishment, ordered a hamburger and got a bad case of disappointment. The patty was small, cold and hard.

What? It couldn’t be the same restaurant! It was. We’ve never had a patty from this establishment that was lacking in quality or quantity.

I think it’s part of that kiss of death theory — When you brag about an excellent restaurant, someone will try it based on your recommendation and they will be thoroughly disappointed.

Next is Mexican food.

We have longtime friends who recently moved from Longview to Rockwall. They had a favorite Mexican food restaurant in Longview. They dined at that restaurant every Thursday night, probably for years.

If you were looking for them on a Thursday night, don’t bother calling. Just stop by Little Mexico and they’re there.

So, after they moved to Rockwall, we invited them to our favorite Mexican food restaurant. We bragged, of course. If fact, we probably over-sold this restaurant.

Bad decision on our part. They did not enjoy their food at all.

I apologized later, telling them we should have known better than try to duplicate their favorite restaurant in Longview. There will never be another Little Mexico in their lives. They agreed. We laughed. We’re still friends and we will dine with them somewhere in the future — but it won’t be at a Mexican food restaurant.

Finally barbecue.

We have a friend who opened a barbecue restaurant in Longview. Honestly, I was not pleased with my first order of ribs. But when friend’s employees learned what I liked, they responded. Now, I’m happy customer and when I’m happy, the recommendations start flowing.

While visiting with friends in Longview recently, I mentioned our friend’s new barbecue restaurant. The two men in the group looked at each other. Words weren’t necessary. With their facial expressions, they told me they had tried the restaurant and were not pleased.

I told them my story, how I wasn’t pleased with their ribs at first, but I was a satisfied customer the second and third visits.

When I mentioned that I’m now happy with the ribs, one of the men responded, “What did they do, go get some from (competing barbecue) restaurant?”

I know there are some good restaurants in the area and I’m sure I dine at some of them. But if you want my opinion about any of these eating establishments, I believe it’s best for me — and the restaurant — to keep my mouth shut.

Text Only

Opinion

A look at this weekend's opening movies
BIG MIRACLE

Marine mammals actually brought about a Cold War thaw.

February 4, 2012
It’s a safe world for judges out there, or is it?
In a recent survey performed by AOL Jobs using statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job of judge was rated one of the best “lifestyle jobs”

February 3, 2012
Kindness still goes long way
Sometimes, a kind gesture or an encouraging word will come out of nowhere and at a time when you least expect it.
How do I know that?

February 2, 2012
As weird as they wanna be
Sometimes, the bizarre aspects of the legal world stand out. There are the outrageous lawsuits, like the convicted drunk driver who sues the family of the motorist he killed or the burglar suing the business he was trying to rob when he hurt himself on their premises. Then there are the litigants themselves, who often seem like refugees from a bad TV reality show. Other times, however, you have to dig a little deeper into a police report, an indictment, or a civil suit to arrive at the truly weird kernel at the heart of the matter. This week, I’d like to bring you my own little roundup of the legally weird.

January 30, 2012 1 Photo
Looking at this weekend's movies
MAN ON A LEDGE

Precariously perched on the ledge of the 22nd floor of New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel, ex-cop and fugitive Nick Cassidy (“Avatar” star Sam Worthington) seems poised to jump. But Nick reveals to NYPD negotiator Lydia Anderson (Elizabeth Banks) that he does not intend to commit suicide. Instead, he says that he will remain on the ledge to prove that he is innocent of the crime for which he received a 25-year sentence.

January 28, 2012
Turning over a new leaf to be kinder, gentler
I want to share with you today about a new leaf that I’ve turned over. I promise to try to be kinder and gentler as often as possible.

January 26, 2012
Bored with the movies? Go to the courthouse instead
Like many Americans, I had more than my fill of three things this holiday season: turkey, egg nog, and movies. Not just the big, splashy blockbusters, mind you, like “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” but also those smaller art-house films that become critical darlings and Oscar favorites. But now, just as I resign myself to the filmgoer’s malaise that accompanies the string of movies released early in the year that won’t light up the box office or garner golden statuettes, I’ve realized that there is an endless source of almost cinematic entertainment waiting for me down at the courthouse. So forget your local multiplex

January 21, 2012
To wife Becky: I will be here

It’s no secret that wife Becky and I speak in clichés.

Our forever favorite is, “The best is yet to come.”

January 19, 2012
President Obama’s judicial nominees: A question of qualifications
One of the many advantages that being president confers is the opportunity to shape the judiciary—potentially for decades to come—through lifetime appointments to the federal bench.

January 16, 2012 1 Photo
A look at this weekend's opening movies
JOYFUL NOISE

Blame “American Idol” and its popular offshoots and, of course, “Glee” for sparking the return of the big screen musical.

January 14, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

My restaurant recommendation? Don’t ask

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Will you vote in the County elections?

Site Map

Contact Us