I flew out to Chicago last month for an overnight business trip, expecting to enjoy some great kosher food while I was there.
I didn't bother to pack extra food. I knew that Chicago had an excellent selection of kosher restaurants, including several that had opened since I left the Midwest 10 years ago. A friend had recommended the Taboun Grill, and I was looking forward to a meal there. My kids begged me to bring them burgers from Ken's Diner, although I assured them I had no intention of schlepping food back on the plane.
In the end, I learned a difficult lesson -- always bring food because you never know what is going to happen when you travel these days.
The weather in Philadelphia was perfect when I boarded the plane. So, I would learn, was the weather in Chicago. Unfortunately, there was a problem somewhere in between, because our totally packed plane sat on the tarmac for two hours. Thanks to the new federal regulations, at that time they had to let us off. We spent an hour in the airport -- a chance to pick up a bag of almonds to munch on -- then we boarded again and finally took off.
Instead of arriving in Chicago at 5:15 -- the perfect dinner hour -- we pulled in at 8:30. I called Taboun Grill to see how late they were open. "We don't seat anyone after 9:15," I was told. "Look," I explained. "My plane was three hours late. I haven't had anything except a bag of nuts since breakfast, and I still have to get my bags."
"We don't seat anyone after 9:15," the voice repeated.
By the time I collected my luggage -- it was a one-day trip, but I was bringing materials for the event I was running -- it was 9:00. I had lived in Chicago for two years; I knew there was no way I could get from O'Hare to Skokie in 15 minutes. And I didn't even have my car yet.
I won't go into the hassle of picking up the car my client had reserved. Or the time it took me to figure out how to start a keyless ignition. It was 10 by the time I was on my way, and no one had rachmones on me or my situation. I called Ken's. I called Subway. No one cared that a Jew from out of town had come in late and needed something to eat.
The guy at Subway was cleaning up. No he wouldn't wait 10 minutes for me to arrive and make me a sandwich, but he suggested I try the Dunkin' Donuts across the street.
Which I ended up doing, in an act of desperation. I've been on the Atkins Diet for over 6 years. I don't eat white flour or sugar i.e. doughnuts, bagels, croissants, etc. My spirits rose a bit when I entered Dunkin' Donuts when the menu offered eggs, soy meat and a few other healthier items. These hopes were dashed when the counter person stepped out and announced, "I'm out of everything except bagels and doughnuts." I was in tears by then, but I ordered a doughnut and a cup of coffee.
I was reminded of an incident in Philadelphia a few months ago. I had finished my writing workshop around 8 one evening. I hadn't brought extra food and had dashed to the workshop straight there from work. I went to the Glatt Deli on 12th St., turned the door handle and found it was closed. "Are you hungry," said a voice. I looked up and saw a Sephardi gentleman halfway down the street.
He came back, unlocked the door, fixed me a sandwich of hummas and salad in a pita and refused to take my money. That's how they treat you in Philadelphia.
My event went well. I picked up some more almonds to tide me over. But I won't forget how I was treated in Chicago. And next time, I'll bring my own food and skip the restaurants, even if my plane arrives on time.
