A double-wide isn't the usual facade for either a cafe' or a bakery, but since it was close to my work and it did have the word "bakery" on the sign, it warranted further investigation. Inside it was bright and clean, with the provocative scent of cake in the air. Even though it was after lunch time, there were several tables of locals gabbing, eating, and lingering.
The waitress asked what I wanted and I told her I wasn't sure - "could I have a menu?" She informed me they were "out" of menus. When I asked what they had, she told me what the special was...pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll. So that's what I ordered. Very good - but not what I was after. My heart was on the dessert case, much like a teenage boy hoping for a kiss and putting up with being sweet just to get it.
I noted that all the locals were going to the dessert case and getting their own. But being the new kid in town I didn't know if I'd be thrown out if I tried it. So I asked for a "cupcake"...tall, plump, devils food cupcake with a thick slather of buttercream. No frills, just Grandma's best effort. Homemade too. That was Tues.
Yesterday, Wedsnesday, I was practiced at the art of Tammy's. NO menu for me - "I'll have the special". Chicken salad on a soft, buttery croissant with broccoli salad. As always, the ordering of the meal was just a poor atttempt at legitimizing my dessert consumption. The food is good, but it isn't dessert.
By the second day, I knew the drill. Get your own...and that I did! I bellied up to the dessert bar with the determination of an asthmatic after an inhaler...all the while encouraged by the other customers to "grab a plate & cut yourself a piece". Wow -I was in heaven! Thick, moist brownies, pecan cupcakes with caramel icing, chocolate bundt cake with chocolate icing...and the one I chose...a slab of apple cake, bar-like, rich, with a sugary, buttery glaze on top and a bottom with just enough chewy crispiness to offset the super moist center. The contrast of the "sweet, apple-tart "and the "moist and cripy" made me want to keep eating just to wallow in the contrast. What absolutely pure eating pleasure!
Today I asked for the special...why, I don't know. I barely ate any of it as I was completely preoccupied with dessert. Suffice it to say, it was ham, baked beans, and potato salad. I ate a few beans to forstall the inevitable blood sugar spike then made my way to the "bar".
I did have the consideration to ask if I could take a sliver of a couple of them as I was unable to decide between cardiac arrest or death by bliss. "No Problem...cut a big hunk" the waitress said, as I divied up todays allowance between the exquisite apple cake and the chocolate bundt with chocolate buttercream. Hard to say which was better...there's always tomorrow for more analysis. Think I'll forgo the "special" and get right to my hearts desire.
Again today, I ate lunch late and there weren't any other customers there. The owner and crew were eating their much deserved lunches and watching TV in the dining area...a show called "Singing Bee"... I think. I started laughing as I watched it. Wow, someone with a worse voice than mine and they are on TV. This opened up a whole conversation between me and the crew. We laughed, told stories and found points of common interest. I left with my belly full, but also my spirit happy. They probably don't realize that they took the edge off a little bit of lonliness and brought a sense of commuunity to me...a stranger in a small town.
