The other night after running errands all day David and I didn’t feel like cooking. I asked Gerald what he would like to eat and he choose Blue Mound Cafe’s Chicken Fried Steak which is on sale on Wednesday’s. David asked me what I wanted and I didn’t know.
I thought about Subway but then I said I would choose when we picked up Gerald’s dinner because we had to go to Rufe Snow and there was a lot of different restaurants on here to choose from. Once we got there I told David I would like to have Schlotzskys Deli.
They have lunch specials and one of them is a pick 2. I knew I could get half a sandwich and a cup of Potato Soup which would give me dinner that night and lunch the next day. Allowing me to say on my $5 lunch menu while giving me good food without breaking the budget.
I wanted to remind you some days, we might not plan a big outing. Or we might not plan a big meal. We just end up somewhere simple, hungry, and grateful to sit down together. That was us David and I at Schlotzsky’s Deli which we choose to eat at together giving us a much needed date.
Dinner wasn’t fancy and it wasn’t a special occasion. It was one of those everyday moments where life slows down just enough for you to notice you’re actually enjoying yourself. We had been out running errands, walking through stores, and doing the usual “get things done” kind of day when hunger finally caught up with all of us at the same time.
At the end of the day even though we didn’t need to spend money we stopped for dinner and that was the best part of the day. For David and I there’s something refreshing about a place that still offers meals that don’t make you think twice about the price. In a world where everything feels like it keeps going up, it was nice to sit down and know we could eat without stressing over the bill.
The food was simple, warm, and exactly what we needed. Nothing complicated. Nothing over the top. Just good, solid comfort food that filled the gap between errands and home. I loved receiving the receipt because there was a coupon for a future purpose and we signed up for there club and will be able to save on upcoming meals and ear free products.
What made it even better wasn’t just the meal itself, but the time around it. We weren’t rushing. We weren’t on a strict schedule. We were just there together, talking, laughing a little, and taking a break from the noise of the day. Sitting in a nice cool restaurant visiting with each other.
It reminded me that sometimes the best “date” or family moment isn’t planned at all. It happens in the middle of normal life. Sitting at a table, sharing a meal, and just being present. Afterward, we went right back to running errands, but something about that stop stayed with me. It felt like a reset button in the middle of a busy day.
This is exactly why I love sharing simple meals like this. Not everything has to be expensive or complicated to be worth remembering. Sometimes a $5 lunch or dinner is exactly what you needed without even realizing it. If only I could teach Bradley and Charlie this.
If you’re trying to stretch your budget, or just looking for ways to slow down and enjoy your day a little more, don’t overlook the simple stops. They matter more than we think. Today Schlotzsky’s Deli wasn’t just a meal. It was a pause. And sometimes, that’s the most valuable thing on the menu.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
