GeekForce

In the last twenty or so year, Steak n’ Shakes have lost their lure. Menu’s too narrow, culinary offerings too, too, ‘homogonized’, chili’s no longer novel, and, well, I don’t know what to tell you, except their shares (symbol: SNS) were about $10 in 1993, and now, well, they’re about $10. Buy oil stocks instead.  Bring cash.DON’T LOSE HOPE IN AMERICA, THOUGH! The Courtesy Diner (there’s two in this town, and NONE in yours, ’cause the guy’s sort of still starting out and knows DAMN WELL that our commericial property’s cheaper than yours!! Drop in at 3am, and man, they got a jukebox, spinning stools at the counter, very pretty young ladies (my daughter’s age) waiting on you and keeping it all straight in their memories and not on pads, and they’ll come and refill your sodas until you beg them to stop.There’s always a steak of some sort that you can have with (I guess) with hash browns or link sausage or chicken-fried steak or or fries or pancakes or waffles or sliced tomatos or green beans-out-of-a-can or ………that’s about it. Bring cash, or use the rickity dial-up ATM (that isn’t the diner’s) that’s over near the window to the left when you walk in. Sing with the slightly drunk other customers, chat with comPLETE strangers (my VERY favorite pastime), watch other guys’ dates dance to the (shitty) music selections they put quarters into the slots to hear (I swear–my minister buddy and I were in late one, like, Tuesday night at 1 am or so, and these ladies were tearing up the rug)…….well, you know, there’s not REALLY a rug.Two can sit, eat, talk, talk with people you’ve never seen before in your life, stare into your partner’s eyes, gaze AWAY from your partner’s eyes, sort stuff out, people-watch, sing, bitch at the rude people……and have a SWELL time……ALL for under $20, easy, induding tip.