Category Archives: Fast Food

Grid Lock in Horn Lake, Mississippi

Posted in Abuse of Power, Cancel Culture, Christian values, Communism, Crime, Customer complaints, Fast Food, FOC, Going Green, Lawyers and Representation, Liberals, Our Legal Systems, Politcal Opinion, Reading, Schools, Socialists by

I know. Those of you in NY, NY or LA, CA have little interest in what happens in little ol’ DeSoto County Mississippi, but you ought to.

Let me explain, please. In 1977, when I was discharged from the Marines, Highway 302 (also known as Goodman Road) was a little two-lane road that had more pot holes than any known human could count. When I moved to Desoto County, Southaven wasn’t a city; Olive Branch was a city, but barely.

Highway 302 was 2 lanes all the way from US highway 61 all the way past Olive Branch. Now it is at least 4-laned all the way from US 61 to US 72, about 34 miles. And, by the way, nary a pothole all the way.

Now why should you care, those of you in Southern California? What difference does it make to those of you on Long Island? Of what importance is it to those in the Windy City?

Well, here is the point. I tried to drive across through I-55 interchange today and I encountered gridlock. That’s right. It took me four lights in all to cross the 3 7 lane bridge in little old horn lake. We had gridlock. How can this be? When I first moved to DeSoto County, the Horn Lake population was about 5000. Now, the population is about 27 thousand. (Likely more than that, as it has grown since the census) If things keep going, I’d suspect that the city of Southaven will rival Jackson in a decade or two. If those dems keep messing thing us, up there, maybe sooner.

This is sort of odd if you look at the growth of Mississippi in general, which has been decreasing, at least for the last decade or so. Why is this? Why do we have so many traffic problems in our little towns in northern Mississippi.

Of course, I can only guess. I have no degree in such things. I have no degree at all. Yet, I have noticed a thing or two over the years. The businesses in southern Memphis are closing. They are shutting down. In some cases, they are closing their doors north of the state line and opening up offices and storefronts south of the state line.

Now how can this be? Memphis used to be a really nice place. I know. When I was in the Marines, I was stationed there, twice. I saw it as a really great place to live in 1968. Then, when I went back in 1972, I saw some deterioration. Finally, when I was discharged at Millington in 1977, I could see the beginning of the downfall.

Nowadays, people are leaving the city by the thousands, and not too many people are moving in.

While I am sure, as the scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ, we can point in many directions for the problems the city has. Mostly though, we must point to the leadership of the city. Every time they even hint at making a really dumb decision, the value of my home goes up a percent or two. By the way, it also follows that the value of homes in Memphis decrease. I am sure there are many that would like to move south but they have homes they cannot sell for reasonable prices.

Could it be…? Mind you, I am only asking the question. Could it be that the democrats really don’t know how to run a city? I mean…, in every place throughout the country, when the dems took over, the property values plummeted, and not just a little. May I remind you of Detroit where they are bulldozing homes down. Apparently, they can’t even give them away and leaving them vacant only leads to more problems.

And now, if you look around, we see it is happening with states. I understand it is difficult to find a U-Haul to rent in California or New York. You notice there are counties wanting to detach themselves from Washington and Oregon to attach themselves to Idaho. I wonder why. Do you suppose they are all trying to escape the dems? Do you think maybe they don’t like the idea of living under communist regimes? Do you think maybe they are tired of their tax dollars going to those who are too lazy to work. Mostly, mostly, I suspect they don’t like the way the dems run the schools. They would rather their kids be taught how to read and write instead of pretending to be the gender they aren’t? Do you suppose, maybe they would rather their kids be taught math rather than global weather change. Just maybe it would be better to learn history rather than the lies and the brainwashing.

Look out folks. One day they will come up with a law to keep you from moving from a dem state to a Republican state. I mean, how can they spread their vile lies when the kids keep leaving?

As my aside, safety is certainly a big factor as well. I saw the other day on local news program that Memphis restaurant owners have had just about enough. They want the city to start enforcing the law for the safety of their patrons and employees.

It is why the folks are coming south to eat. It is why the businesses are moving south. Not only is it safer but that’s sort of where the customers are going. They are simply following the crowd.

Meanwhile, the little house of mine has gone from selling at 25,000 to a value of right close to 110,000 in about 40 years. I kind of like those dems…, as long as they stay north of the state line.

They Get Paid for That!

Posted in CEO Princeple, Fast Food by

The wife and were busy eating in a restaurant. She pointed to the speaker above us and said, “They get paid for that.”

She was, of course, referring to annoying, repetitive noise coming from above. It reminded me of the days when I worked in a restaurant. At that time, the company had a special radio that played pleasant music for our customers. Don’t know so much about what customers thought. They never said one way or the other. On the other hand, I knew exactly what the other employees thought about it. It would seem some folks like repetitive noise.

The point is, some of us really would prefer quiet as appo to repetitive noises, especially the yelling kind. Maybe it would be better if we stopped paying for junk.

Then again, I just might start bringing in my noise canceling head phones. After all, it is their function. Of course, if I did that, there would be no more conversing with my wife as we eat. I don’t much like that. I would rather the restaurant not pipe in the annoyance.

A Big Laugh

Posted in Fast Food by

As mentioned in an earlier post, I’m not much of a comedian. My biggest laughs generally aren’t planned.

Such was the case this afternoon when I ordered a Whopper meal. The woman behind the counter suggested a Big Mac instead.

Believe it or not, I wondered just why the correction; this while I looked right at the menu.

I really enjoy when I can provide a real laugh for someone, especially for the woman who likely was looking forward to a long hard day. I just wish I could bring such effective laughter to to folks by design. Then again, I guess the error is what causes the humor.

At any rate, I was comforted by being told that I was not the first to misspeak. In other words I was not the first to seek a Whopper at a McDonald’s. I would suspect there have been a few who sought Big Macs at Burger King.

As for me, I guess what I really need is a new brain.

Almost Paradise

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Border wall, Build the Wall!, Christian values, Controllers, Drug Abuse, Education, experience, Fast Food, FOC, Immigration, law enforcement, Lawyers and Representation, Politcal Opinion, Religion, Retirement, Socialists by

As I considered the title to this post, I realized I came up with something of a good book title. At least, it seemed that way to me. Now, I need is a good book to go with it. Come to think of it, maybe someone did already. It would be a shame if someone else beat me to it.

The point is that the place I moved to in 1977 was really nice and had been for decades. It was almost paradise, though there were a few problems.

Some of the roads were spread with pot holes. My poor little car had a real problem with the little trailer bouncing around behind us. There were but a small smattering of places to eat and we could find but 1 doctor office, 1 dentist and one pharmacy. The closest hospital was 15 or 16 miles away.

However, the schools were nice and there weren’t many police. Wasn’t much need for them. It truly was almost paradise.

In this world there are problems with paradises. Southern California, before 1950 was an almost paradise. Now, look at it. I won’t go through the list of problems there now. Everyone knows. The desire to live in paradise has destroyed it. Now the U-hauls are leaving and the people are going to other paradises; as Texas, Florida, etc.

in all likelihood, those paradises will be spoiled too. It almost always happens. Unfortunately, paradises draw the unsavory element as well as the exemplary.

It’s happened and is happening where I live. If I possible, I’d leave as soon as i could. If there were an army of police, it would not be enough. The undesirable element is drifting south from Memphis. It does say something about Memphis. No one wants to leave a good place for a worse one.

We now have doctors hospitals dentists, the whole works. Even the streets are smooth. However, it seems that every fourth car I see nowadays has Shelby County plates.

Don’t actually have too much of an objection if they want to spend Tennessee dollars in Mississippi, but they bring their driving habits too. Not only that but they bring their crime, mostly drugs, and robbery too. A couple of years ago, I posted a story about a break in in my house. Dumb thief! One look at my little 900 square foot house and he’d have known I don’t have anything.

The area right across the state line had two big thriving malls and the area around it had a multitude of stores, restaurants and businesses. The malls are now all but closed and the parking lots are all baren.

Needless to say, the value of my little house has skyrocketed. Every time Memphis comes up with a bad idea my property value goes up.

The problem is that as they leave what used to be a near paradise, they bring their stupid ideas with them, and ruin our neighborhoods.

It is not just a local problem. It won’t be long that the illegal aliens will bring their ways to our nation and destroy our national paradise.

This reminds me of a passage in the Bible in which it says that murderers, thieves, liars, adulterers, etc, etc, and so forth will never go to heaven (paradise).

At the time I first read it, I did not see the full significance as I do now. You see, any place where such people are allowed would not be paradise. It would not be long before even the steets of heaven would be ruined. When the corrupt are denied access, about anywhere would be great. Then, with Jesus there too, it will be perfect.

If you would like to go there, you need a reservation. The only way to get the reservation is to accept Jesus as your savior. Then, he will cleanse you. Those not born again are not cleansed. They will not enter paradise. They will only see eternal punishment.

if you think about it, it makes sense. Who wants a paradise full of corruption and the corrupt. Certainly, God doesn’t.

Now if I could just get all these liberals to go back to Memphis where they belong!!

Burrito Withdrawal

Posted in Biden, Coronavirus, Fast Food, Lawyers and Representation by

I find myself in a conundrum. Taco Bell makes my favorite burritos. On the other hand, I do not like drive-throughs. Being as all the Taco Bells in this area are strictly drive through, I haven’t been getting my share of burritos.

I think it is about time to call this whole pandemic thing off. We have meds that can treat that China stuff and, besides, I don’t like the idea that China won this round of germ warfare. It is time for us to get back to normal and ignore those war-mongers.

As for the increase of cases, someone needs to tell Joe it doesn’t do much good to shut down the airports while he has the southern barn doors wide open. I am sure that at least 1000 people a day are coming up through Mexico from who knows where. About 600 of them have the China virus and they each infect about 1800. Then those 1800 infect about 5000. That kind of isolation never worked and never will.

By the way, some of those illegal aliens have other diseases too, like TB, small pox and maybe a few we don’t know of. And Joe is worried about those coming through the airports?!! What kind of idiot is he listening to?!! The last decade or so, we stopped giving small pox vaccines because it is virtually eliminated.

Guess what happens if it turns into an epidemic in this country now. It just might wipe our half our youth before we figure out what happened. With Joe at the helm, he’ll never figure out what do do after he is told what happened. Has anyone asked Joe if he knows what small pox is and what it does?

Besides all this, I just want to be able to go into Taco Bell and enjoy a good burrito from time to time, sometimes a taco or two.

How to Peel a Banana

Posted in Fast Food, Food by

Just a quick hint. My wife makes fun of me whenever I pass this on but it works. The natural way to try to peel a banana is to use the stem. However, it works far better if you peel the banana from the other end. It is simpler and faster. Also, it just simply works better. I am told that this is the way monkeys do it. If you like the tip, pass it on.

Looking For More Mens

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Customer complaints, Fast Food, FOC, Kamala, Liberals, Robots by

I know it is improper grammar but I have heard it said before and I think, in this case it is apropos.

I went into McDonald’s and tried to order at the counter. They said, due to lack of personnel (a proper way of saying mens) we would have to order at the kiosk. I told her that I have tried to use the things before without any success. She told me that I had to use the computer to order.

So I went over to the kiosk and tried to order three times without success. I mean I am reasonably persistent. However, logic told me that it would do me little good to continue. I told the woman we would need to go somewhere else. She became impatient with me and went over to kiosk and proceeded to show me how easy it was.

GUESS WHAT? Your right. It didn’t work for her either. She was persistent too. She tried twice on one kiosk and once on two more kiosks.

I can’t blame the woman. To be sure, every one is trying to find more mens. It is literally the FOCs’ fault. They have decided to pay people for doing nothing. So they sit at home and do nothing.

It was, to be sure, the convergence of two problems. The dems and the people who wrote the programing for the kiosk. Maybe I err. It is very possible that it might have been those who made the specifications for the kiosks. Either way, the programming is full of bugs and they just don’t work as advertised.

After working around computers all my life I’d guess it is simply trying to get too fancy. They have all these beautiful pictures up there to help make people hungry and they forget the purpose of the thing… to make it easy to order food.

So, if you are looking on McDonald’s Corp, this is the way I would like it. The screen is large enough to show the whole menu at one time. First, there should be a list off all the menu items. To the left would be a a plus and minus sign. To increase or decrease the count, the customer presses one or the other. Simple. I’m sure there would be dozens of ways to deal with special orders. If nothing else, if four cheeseburgers are being ordered, four lines could be temporarily displayed. pseudo-buttons could be displayed on each line for deleting onions and or mustered, etc.

I am not a professional programmer and I am sure, given a couple of months, I could write such a program in a month or so. It’s not that hard. Like they say in computer programming; keep it simple, stupid. (KISS) Every time you make something more complex, you increase the chances of it malfunctioning. Also, in this case, you make it harder to operate.

Worse yet, instead of saving employee time, it cost this employ about twenty minutes. Then, when it was all over, she had to resort to the old way anyway.

Fixing the kiosk might be McDonald’s idea of resolving the problem. As for me, I’d rather give my order to a human. By the way, a reminder. Some people don’t complain. They just walk out and go somewhere else. It is normally the easiest way of resolving the problem.

As for the more mens problem, let’s just vote the FOCs out of office. The manning levels will then take care of themselves.

A Good Word For McDonald’s

Posted in Fast Food by

This morning, about 8:00 CT, I went into McDonald’s for breakfast. After paying for it, my food beat me to the table. That will teach me to pause long enough to get one of those numbers I was supposed to put on the table, which by the way, became pretty much useless.

I figure, when I have to wait, I do complain. I should put in a good word when the service is a little extra special. Also, the food was hot and good too.

All You Have to Do Is….

Posted in Customer complaints, Fast Food, Fauci, Mistakes by

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by a fried chicken place. I’m not going to use names but it was a well known place. It had advertised that the dinning room was open but I guess, for one reason or the other, they closed it again. There was an employee there and she told me, “You have to drive around.”

I know it is a terminology, but it is one that rubs me the wrong way. Had it not been for the recent problems with the China virus and I do realize it has caused problems, I would have replied, “No, ma’am. I do not have to drive around. I do have the option of going somewhere else or I can go home and make my own dinner.”

It did remind me of a young man I was talking to on a phone. It was back in the days when most people had land lines. I don’t remember what it was but I was trying to buy something. Maybe it was a pizza. It doesn’t matter. He hit my hot button and told me, “All you have to do is….” I don’t remember the rest. It doesn’t matter. I simply told him, “No. I don’t have to do anything.” I was very emphatic and he apparently realized his mistake as he started trying to explain. He didn’t get very far.

Recently, I tried to get a plumber to come out to my house. The woman I was talking to tried to get me to sign up for one of those yearly contracts. I explicitly told her I was not interested and please send out a plumber. She continued and I warned her, “If you continue at this I will hang up.” She did; so, I did. To this day I wonder if the owner realized she cost him a regular customer. I have not gone back to him since.

I am not a business owner nor do I have a degree in business. For that matter, I do not have a degree. However, I have worked in businesses before and I always know better than to tell a customer, “All you have….” It is basic business 101, and all business owners need to tell their employees.

Unlike those of us who have to go to get a driver’s license every couple of few years, most customers are not required to do business with a certain company. Occasionally, things like that do happen, especially in the old days when there was just one store in town and the next one was a two or three days ride away. However, in the case of the chicken place, there were five restaurants around in walking distance. We did not have to go through the drive through and we didn’t.

I know what the woman meant. I know she knew I did not really HAVE to go through the drive through. Still such things irk me. As I say, they push my button. I am a potential customer. I am not in any way captive to their business. More than that, I hate drive throughs, especially after the China virus. For quite a while, I could not find anyplace where I could sit down and eat. (Makes me all the more angry at Fauci. Why isn’t that no good character in prison?) Besides, believe it or not, when I go through a drive through, it generally takes much longer and I burn up a quarter tank of gas waiting.

More than that, people that own businesses should know to tell their employees about things like that. There is far too much competition out there, and some of them don’t require to drive through. Things may yet change but there are many places that now have open dining rooms and the are doing a thriving business.

As for the business that tried to sign me up for the contract. I’m not worried about them. They obviously have more business than they can handle anyway. They clearly did not have time for me.

In it for the Money?

Posted in Fast Food by

All these years, I thought McDonald’s was in business to make money. However, over the years I’ve started wondering. The was the time the woman at the counter took my order and immediately went to back. I wondered what the reason. Then I found out. I heard her call out, “We need nickles!” This of course she did while I was in a hurry to get to work.

Then there was the day I went in to get some breakfast. After one of the employees stood there and talked on her phone for four minutes. I gave up and went somewhere else. It gives a new meaning to “Fast Food.” I actually wrote a letter to their headquarters over that one. I got a free sandwich over it. No real apology, just a sandwich. By the way, I did remind them that there were three other places nearby where I could get breakfast. They didn’t seem to care. It seemed to be a “So what,” attitude.

I guess they have gotten too many customers. they have this method of thinning them out a little.

Then the other night I ordered Diet Coke with my meal. Guess what, no Diet Coke. They wanted me to buy tea instead. If there is one thing I have learned about dining out — don’t buy what you don’t want just because they don’t have what you do want.

In this day where many of us are diabetic, I cannot understand any restaurant of any kind running out of their only diet drink. It is a triple whammy. It is almost as bad as a place that specializes in hamburgers running out of hamburgers. It’s kind of dumb.

In this case, it left me without a drink for my meal, which irritated me. This discourages me from returning. Moreover, it greatly decreased the profit of their sell. Soft drinks are very high profit items in fast food restaurants. It might seem odd, but they don’t make nearly as much off hamburgers (about 40 – 45% gross profit). Where their real money is made in the soft drinks (about 95 – 96% gross profit).

I don’t think the employees care. They draw the same pay regardless. Most employees, especially new one likely think they make more money off the hamburgers.

The third whammy is a little more long range. When I got my food, I went to a convenience store and bought the drinks, Diet Pepsi, which I prefer. Now I know I don’t have to rely on McDonald’s for Diet Coke. I can buy bigger better sodas for about the same price at a convenience store just down the road. Not only that, if I want, I can buy my sweets at the store instead of from McDonald’s.

Now, if word gets around, McDonald’s just might wish they had an adequate supply of Diet Coke for me.

Then again. I might be wrong. McDonald’s makes a lot more money than me. Moreover, they will likely never hear my complaint. If they do, they will likely assume their “so what,” attitude.

However, if they keep trying to thin out their customer base, they just might find out it works.