Lunch with Paul, No. 5

Lunch with Paul, No. 5, George's Shish Kebab Restaurant, downtown

Paul liked George's the best of any Armenian restaurant

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So, momentarily we were at a loss

about where to eat this afternoon,

after driving to Chandler Airport

for lunch at the Flight Line Café

in the old terminal building

that he’d heard so much about from

his locker-mates at the gym.

Then he didn’t want to eat there,

the sign said Chinese Food.

So we turned around and drove down

tree-lined Kearney Boulevard

to Fresno Street, and made our way

to the parking lot behind George’s

Shish-Kebab Restaurant for lunch.

A place we both could agree upon.

We sat at the counter, near the door

and busy cash register.

Both of us had been eating here

for many years now and were well-known

among the cooks and wait staff

and by most of the customers

who called to us by our names.

A waitress warmly greeted us,

welcoming us, taking our drink order,

telling of the daily specials.

Today: cabbage, squash and pepper dolma,

and one Kufta, pilaf & vegetables.

Paul had the special with clam chowder.

I had the tri-tip plate, medium well,

and a green salad with French

(Not Ranch) dressing.

All the regular George’s patrons

were at their tables or at the counter.

There wasn’t much conversation

Between Paul and me, waiting for food,

or we were too busy eating.

First the salad arrived, then the main dish

before I finished eating my salad.

There was no use trying to change things,

I had to eat my steak before it got cold.

and like innocent Gelsomina in “La Strada,”

he wiped his plate clean with a piece of bread.

It was good to see everyone again,

and the restaurant busy at lunchtime.

The tri-tip steak, without doubt,

cooked on the charcoal-grill at George’s

was superb and without an equal.

By Stephen Barile

From: United States