Cold Sesame Noodles and Lowe's

Nothing could make me happier than a portion of cold sesame noodles. There's one place I go to not because it's near work (although it is) but because they use hot sauce in the mix. The soft and springy texture of the noodle combined with the tang of spicy sesame sauce brings everything into perspective for me.

I had a hectic day yesterday and I couldn't bear to go back to the office at 5:00 o'clock with an empty stomach. Sheer will only lasts so long getting through the day, especially when all you've eaten is a morning power bar.

I went to that place, Hong Kong Kitchen, where I knew a bowl of cold sesame noodles would make all the worries and stresses of my day (did I get good enough photographs for my client) slip away to that neutral place of 'I can deal with a new batch of images and all that ensues in Photoshop and/or Lightroom' what ever the tool may be.'

The parking lot was empty, and look entirely different than it does at lunch time. Then it struck me - it's not so much different than it is desolate. Hong Kong chef looked like he was closing shop when I entered. I asked if the store was open and he said yes, till 10:00 p.m.

Without a prompt from me beyond placing my order the chef started a conversation. "My business is slow now ever since Lowe's Home Improvement closed. Friendly's too is gone and so is Citifinancial," said Chef owner. The car dealership also had been closed for over a year. All these surrounding stores were now a lost source of income for the restaurant.

Formerly Lowe's 

"We've been here twenty-three years and I've never seen it like this," said Chef. My noodles were ready even before I had reached inside my purse for the money. I was impressed but realized without the usual line of customers, of course the service was that much quicker.

"Sugar costs are up in price," he said. When all I had to pay for dinner was less than $5, I told him he should raise his prices. I didn't think it would make up for the decrease in traffic, but told him he's not charging enough for such great food.

I always wondered what it would be like to cook every day as a business. I'm don't cook at home and dread the mess a good meal makes. I do like to eat though, (who doesn't), and can really appreciate the labor involved.

When hard working people feel pinched from a bad economy, you know it's bad. It saddens me to think this family business may be in trouble. I thanked the chef for my meal and for the exchange of conversation. That bowl of noodles is worth much more than the price of food.