Storm Clouds and Chick-fil-a

It’s been several months since we last visited Chick-fil-a. My husband has been suggesting that we go back some time - so we decided last evening would be good to pick up dinner. We tend to eat healthier food, but every once in a while you just need to indulge. So we ordered up the usual fare - the southwestern salad, the spicy chicken sandwich, waffle fries, small Mac and cheese, vanilla milkshake, and a small side of the new pimento sauce to try. As soon as we left the house the storm clouds surrounded us. I tend to not go outside if there is even the slightest hint of a weather event. The only saving grace is that we live in a condo building that has underground parking. That is a far cry from the dreadful street parking we endured for thirteen years when we lived on Capitol Hill - so we never have to worry any more about finding a space to park and staying dry walking back home from it. The Chick-fil-a is located in Tyson’s so it takes at least forty five minutes for a round trip. We managed to dodge the rain for most of the ride - except of course when the guy delivered the food to the curbside spot. The Saturday evening traffic is always better than rush hour during the week. The milkshake was gone by the time we got home. The dinner was tasty, but we won’t be going back any time soon. You could call it our big adventure of the week. 

Chick-fil-a at Lunch Time

It was a rainy ugly day today, so after our morning walk we planned to try the Greenberry’s Coffee place just down the street from where we live for lunch, but it was packed. I wasn’t surprised because every time we drive by it’s packed. So we tried to think of somewhere else to go and thought of Chick-fil-a. We noticed there was one by the container store in Vienna so we headed over. Going to lunch on Friday at noon is never a good idea - even worse in northern Virginia. It’s like a parking lot. As we pulled up to get a space, the line was out the door at Chuck-fil-a! We were going to drive away, but decided to go in anyway. Dashing through the raindrops we got in line. There were two people taking orders using a device and they had the menu on a plastic card just in case you needed it - and we did. I remembered they just introduced macaroni and cheese so we got a small order. What we thought might take a while really didn’t. Our eyes were kept busy with the activity in the restaurant. There were people like us in the line past the door, ordering when you walked in, and a place for pick ups if you used the app - and it was loaded with bags. They obviously have this ordering process in complete control and there were many employees making it work. Since we couldn’t nab a table inside and everything outside was wet, we were forced to take our lunch to the car. Since we forgot to get a fork the macaroni and cheese is waiting until dinner.  Was it worth it? Yes, for the adventure of it all. But I’d rather do this sort of thing when we travel. But once in a while it’s “ok.”

A Cheap Saturday Night Date at Chick-fil-A

I love the Chick-fil-A road signs. The cows are doing everything they can to sway your tastebuds away from hamburgers to anything chicken. Last year I went to a restaurant with my coworkers near Culpeper, Virginia after a morning tour at the Library of Congress Moving Pictures and Sound Packard campus site. I thought my husband might like to try it out one of these days. While on the road from Florida back to DC and to Florida from DC, we stopped in I think South Carolina somewhere to have lunch. I think he liked the change of pace...and he loves fried chicken every once in awhile. Yesterday we were in the mood to go for a ride, and decided it was time for a Chick-fil-A boost. So we headed toward Rockville and needed directions on how to order once we figured out where the line started. I don't know how they figure out what table to deliver the food, but we had a feast of greasy French fries and chicken sandwiches - and of course a healthy side salad. It was very busy, being a Saturday night. We left the house at 4:30 or so and got back home more than two hours later. The traffic was ridiculous on the freeway and near Georgetown. Was it worth it? Yes! But I now remember why we rarely go out for dinner on a Saturday night - even if it's nice outside. 

Chick-fil-A, Night Drive, South of the Border,and the Pope

We planned a visit to Florida a few weeks back. It's been three months since my Dad passed away, and we wanted to check up on Mom. We planned to leave on Wednesday this week but decided to leave on Tuesday so we would arrive before the Pope appears on Capitol Hill Thursday. We know how congested the neighborhood gets for inauguration and federal workers were told to stay home to avoid the mess. So after taking mom for breakfast this morning we left town at 11:30 and haven't stopped. We decided to make the whole trip in one swoop. We would arrive in DC around 2:00 AM and avoid the more than two hour typical delays. So to fortify our first night drive in over many, many years, we stopped at a very crowded Chick-fil-A in Florence, South Carolina. We've actually stopped here a couple times for the night in previous trips. Then we gassed up, and started the voyage back. It took a bit of getting used to, and if either one of us gets too tired we will stop. So here's hoping for a smooth ride.  How many times can you see Pedro's South of the Border in lights? Let's hope the Subaru holds up and we can find a parking space.