Just one question.....

Here is the situation that got me thinking about this topic.....
 
I was recently driving through the back roads of central West Virginia, looking for a good small town cafe to have lunch.  And by lunch, I mean pie.  Anyway, I did pass some places that were open, but empty, until I came across a diner that had a packed parking lot.  As I was walking to the front door, there were two men walking out, one with several bags of food he was taking home.  I asked the guy how the food was and he said, "Great!  But ask this guy (pointing as his buddy), he's the owner"  I went inside and sat at the one open booth.  There was a large salad bar in the middle of the room and a long list of pies on the wall.  Just to make sure, I asked the waitress if the pies were homemade and she said, "No.  We get them from such and such....."  Deciding that wasn't a good sign, I got up and left.
 
Since the waitress was busy and having no desire to turn this into the Spanish Inquisition, I'm not convinced that was the best one question to ask.  Well, for me, it might have been, but not for everybody.  If you were trying to determine whether you wanted to eat at a certain small town cafe and could only ask one question, what would it be?

When was the last time the Health Department shut you down?

Are you open?

I know this may not seem consistent with the feelings of some roadfood seekers, but I like to take chances. I always felt the early roadfood books, as well as a few other "on the road" books were how to guides more than atlases of where to go. Using the methods I learned in those volumes I will give a place a try if it meets my general criteria. Sometimes food has been okay and experience good, sometimes both bad, but I always enjoyed the experience of setting forth on my own into uncharted waters.

" And by lunch, I mean pie."

I think that is the quote of the year, for me anyway.  I love it!  I hear you (somewhat) on the pies.  Did it sound like they got their pies from a Sysco type vendor or possibly a local bakery?  I had a really good Lemon Meringue Pie in Syracuse, NY at a tavern.  I asked the waitress where they got their pies as I often find asking if they are homemade sometimes results in an overeager, "Of course!", whereas the other question require some more thought on their part.  The pie ended up being from a local reputable bakery and was intense!  Better that they know enough to focus on what they do well and get the pies from someone who bakes them for a living.

In short, I don't know that I would have one question.  I'd have to assess the situation I'm in and see what comes to mind. 

"How's the meatloaf?"

Did BuffetBuster ever eat here?

joerogo


Did BuffetBuster ever eat here?

Which has a part b)...

Is there any pie left?

I always ask if the mashed potatoes are real or instant.  That, to me, is an indication of how everything else is made.

Tony Bad


Are you open?

I know this may not seem consistent with the feelings of some roadfood seekers, but I like to take chances. I always felt the early roadfood books, as well as a few other "on the road" books were how to guides more than atlases of where to go. Using the methods I learned in those volumes I will give a place a try if it meets my general criteria. Sometimes food has been okay and experience good, sometimes both bad, but I always enjoyed the experience of setting forth on my own into uncharted waters.

Ditto. And remember too, the Sterns had no book to follow.

In a strange setting I usually confess to being a stranger and then I ask, "If I were to order just one item, what should I get"?
Doesn't always work but it is a conversation starter and you could then inquire about their best dessert.

Whats Good?

Hm...thinking over the questions I have asked and their outcome...

"What's your special?"

Sometimes it's posted, often it's not.  But I've found, especially in a small diner-type place, that if the waitress or counter help doesn't know what the special is, it's a pretty good indication of how the place is run.

"And by lunch, I mean pie"...stellar!  I giggled right out loud!

badbyron722


Whats Good?

 
I  can see a problem with asking this question.  If the waiter/waitress has been instructed by their boss to push something (that hasn't been going well)..........

'What do you recommend?'

I judge a place by its gravy. Its hard to find good gravy dining out anymore.

A lot of really good responses so far.

billyboy-
I understand what you are saying about the pies could come from a terrific local bakery.  But, the name of the place she told me that made the pies was something along the lines of Industrial Baking.  The word industrial was definitely in there.  Doesn't exactly inspire thoughts of great pie does it?

I agree with you about the quote of the year, billyboy.  Maybe we should all just carry a picture of Cliff and say 'do you know this guy?'

My first tell isn't a question--I really do look for cop cars and pickups that look like they belong to utility workers.  Those guys never lie with their stomachs.

I have asked some version of 'I'm not from here and I'd like to have the one thing you shouldn't miss at this place' several times before--similar to what MFL said--sometimes it gets you a great meal and sometimes just funny looks.  I usually narrow what I want down to two things and ask the server which is better.  Of course they're usually completely not alike so it just depends.

It's all serendipity. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. But I'd rather have a lousy meal at a Mom and Pop than go to a national chain - at least I'll know I've suffered for a worthwhile cause. 

A few weeks ago Gail and I, out running an errand in my old pickup, realized we were hungry just as we were passing thru the bucolic little community of Stone Ridge, NY. 
We spotted a small lunchroom, Nibble Nook, braked and skidded in there. I've driven past that joint  a hundred times, but because of the silly name, it never occurred to me give it a try. I had a fine lunch of excellent beef/bean soup and the absolutely best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had outside my own kitchen.

Cheers, John  

seafarer john-
Sounds great!  How was the pie?

The pie looked great, but I'm avoiding that kind of delight for a while. I think they make all their desserts on premises.

Cheers, John 

seafarer john


It's all serendipity. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. But I'd rather have a lousy meal at a Mom and Pop than go to a national chain - at least I'll know I've suffered for a worthwhile cause. 

See, I think John's put his finger on it.  If I think I have a good chance of having an RF experience, that's my first choice, but if I think it's dicey and I have nothing to go on, I will typically fall back on a national chain that I know is reasonably good.  I've had some great serendipity, but I've also had some meals that were among the worst ever.  I'm not so dead set against national chains that I won't use one when it's my most reasonable looking choice.  If that makes me a bad Roadfooder, so be it.

Nancypalooza

seafarer john


It's all serendipity. Sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not. But I'd rather have a lousy meal at a Mom and Pop than go to a national chain - at least I'll know I've suffered for a worthwhile cause. 

See, I think John's put his finger on it.  If I think I have a good chance of having an RF experience, that's my first choice, but if I think it's dicey and I have nothing to go on, I will typically fall back on a national chain that I know is reasonably good.  I've had some great serendipity, but I've also had some meals that were among the worst ever.  I'm not so dead set against national chains that I won't use one when it's my most reasonable looking choice.  If that makes me a bad Roadfooder, so be it.

My thoughts exactly.  95% of the time if I haven't had time to research Roadfood for where I'm going, it's because I'm going there for work.  Which means I am on a VERY limited time and travel budget (we do not get our expenses reimbursed outside what the federal government will allow us to claim as deductions on our taxes).  So if I'm not sure, I'd rather have something from a chain that I know will taste good AND about how much it'll cost than gamble on something.  I'll be a bad Roadfooder next to you.

Nancypalooza


If that makes me a bad Roadfooder, so be it.

 

 
Come on Nancy, Kissin' a couple frogs ain't that bad

No, if it were just limited to frogs, and it didn't give you diarrhea.

Do you have "Plain French Fries". Being allergic to flour, I can't have any of those new fangled, batter dipped seasoned french fries, and hate to even order them, if I know I can't eat them, because it sits there tempting me, and I hate to smell something so good and the waitress coming back asking me if there is something wrong with my fries!

I find open ended questions best...

So tell me about your pies...I'm looking for the best!

 I just watch to see what's coming out of the kitchen and if something looked good, then I ask, "What was that you just served to that table?