How did I never go here before?

Monday, February 1

I’m in Hog Heaven.  No, wait.  I’m going to visit Pat Sajak and buy a few vowels.  An “a,” and “i,” and an “e” please. 

And turn that into I’m in Hoagie Heaven!

I went somewhere I have never been before.  Giuliano’s Deli at 5^th and Chestnut.    Yes, I have heard from many people how great their food is.  But somehow stayed in my rut and never got there.

Wow.

From the moment you walk in, you know it’s going to be an experience.  This neighborhood deli is old school.  Wonderfully old school.  Making me think about the great neighborhood places I enjoyed as a kid.  That don’t exist anymore.    But it does!  At Giuliano’s. 

Super friendly service.  They treated me like I was their best customer.  On my first visit.

Ham and cheese hoagie.  Mayo.  Lettuce and tomato.  Hold the onion. 

Now I judge a hoagie on its roll.  Perfect 10.  Fresh ingredients mean better taste.  And this was one fresh hoagie.

My only question as I left was, "How did I never go here before?"

Will I be back?  You bet.  Next time – breakfast sandwiches!

Lansdale Shopping Score:  1

Now I’m meeting a lot of new people and learning a lot of new things.  Today’s teachable moment came from Christina – neighbor and owner of local Lansdale business Woofs and Whiskers Pet Care.  She let me know that February is National Bird Feeding Month.  I did not know that.

She also let me know that Wilson’s Hardware had a good supply of bird seed.

So I stopped by.  Well, first I parked at the West Main Parking Lot.  The one with the newfangled parking kiosks that have popped up around town.  Now I know that paid parking is a controversial issue in Lansdale.  Personally, I am all for it, otherwise train commuters would take all of the spaces away from our businesses.  Not to sound cheap, but I’m also going to side with the people that think a buck is too steep.  I was also a fan of the free 15 minutes we were supposed to get for quick trips. 

I’ve got to tell you, the parking kiosk is smarter than me.  Not that it’s a difficult thing to do.  But I was outsmarted by what one would think should be an easy machine to use.  It was rather demanding.  Wanting a dollar from me.  I asked nicely for my free 15 minutes, but no.  One dollar.

Anyone from the Parking Authority out there reading this?  Care to tell me what I was doing wrong?

So, scofflaw that I am, I ran into Wilson’s without paying for parking.  I was only going to be a few minutes.

Lenny pointed me in the right direction for bird seed – at the rear of the store.  Now I could have gotten a ten pound bag for $4.99.  But wait – there’s a sale!  The twenty pound bag of the exact same seed was on sale for $5.99!  Bargain.

Now I just have to read the directions and figure out how I’m going to grow some birds out of all this seed . . .  Christina?

Lansdale Shopping Score:  2

Interesting note.  While I knew February is Black History Month, I had no idea it was National Bird Feeding Month.  Nor did I know February is also American Heart Month, National Children's Dental Health Month, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and National Forestry Mulcher Month.

National Forestry Mulcher Month?  Like I said, I learn something new every day.

I come home later in the day to a nice surprise.  Someone (The borough?  A nice neighbor with a plow?) has re-plowed the snow emergency side of the street so people can once again park there.  Perhaps now that there is more parking, my neighbors will start putting their lawn furniture away.

Make dinner, or eat out?  Such a tough decision.  I weigh the pluses and minuses in about a nano-second.  Eat out.

And it’s back to the Lansdale Tavern.  This really is becoming our Cheers.  For a second, I even think I see Norm and Cliff sitting at the bar. One of the things I like about the Lansdale Tavern is the volume.  It’s not too loud, so you can have a decent conversation.  But loud enough so you don’t feel that the entire place is listening to you.  Kind of like the Mama bear volume if this was a Goldilocks bar.

Prime Rib French Dip is on the special board, so that’s what I get.  Delicious.

And the chalk board has been re-done!  Someone has a lot of talent.  And a lot of beer.

Lansdale Shopping Score:  3

So, today’s score:

THREE opportunities to shop/eat in Lansdale met.

Let’s see what today brings!