I'm guessing that the instant posting is gone. But so what!

It's not, so I shudder to think what your comment must mean. EL

Posting is cool, but what really led me to switch from using a Western saddle to hunt seat was the ability to jump.

I ate there with the better half a few months ago and had a decent experience. The one biiiiig downer was that the check arrived with one of those super tacky yellow and pink bail bonds pens. I emailed the contact on their website about it, and received a long response back from the owner apologizing for using those pens and he promised to have them immediately removed. I was quite pleased to get a response like that, and would definitely return for that alone.

Bob UU -- Was every server using those pens or just your server? That is odd. Couldn't they just spring for a box of bic pens? hah

Bob, it might have been the server who supplied the pen, not the restaurant (but I can see why the owner wouldn't want that particular pen in use - where did the server get it?). I don't see why any restaurant bigger than a pushcart doesn't invest a few hundred dollars in a case of personalized pens to give the servers. If they get taken its advertising. I used to have some of my own to give the contractors I worked with. I would be chuckling inside about a government employee giving out gratuities to the contractors and they would have my phone number to call in they had any problems or questions. One batch even said "This pen once belonged to ..."

I know what you both mean. I really hate those pens. When I'm handed one it makes you wonder if you are eating amongst the criminal element. :-o I could see why they wouldn't want it in use either, so I figured I'd give them a chance to make it right and they sure did! The super nice response I received was from Mustapha Snoussi. Those pens are sprinkled all around our little city though. I spouted obscenities when I saw the write up about the pens in the Baltimore Magazine about them a year or so ago. Way to keep a bad thing going.

Those Big Boyz pens are as "Baltimore" as crab cakes and formstone. They are used at a SIGNIFICANT number of the restaurants I patronize in the city. If you choose a restaurant based off of whether or not they use those pens, you will be limiting your selection significantly.

Also, at least these restaurants supply pens to their waitstaff. The Cheesecake Factory downtown doesn't proivde anything for their waitstaff. They're very stingy and could care less about their employees...

Has anyone ever noticed that the panhandler on Northern at Falls often wears a Big Boyz shirt.

I've often thought that a lot of business could do some cheap advertising by giving the panhandlers t-shirts and sweat shirts.

I've been to Crepe du jour twice now, and loved it both times.

Once I think I read that that panhandler makes in excess of $60,000 a year, RoCK. The guy is worth investment! He knows how to work it!

I actually just swiped one of those pens to give an out-of-town visitor as a souvenir.

Gary - true enough. I don't necessarily choose whether or not to patronize a restaurant based on the pen issue, but it is definitely one of the many factors I consider in the tip calculation when weighing the entire dining experience. It doesn't help them out that the pen is so close in proximity to the check signing event though.

Who cares about the pen? I ate at DuClaw's this past Sunday evening and while I was surprised to be handed a bail bonds pen it didn't affect my experience or the tip I left. What's wrong with you people?

Christian - it's tacky to some folks, and some folks don't want tacky invading their dining experiences. Opinions are like....

Sure it’s tacky, but we’re not talking about the Ritz. To each his own, but go looking for a problem or something to gripe about and you'll never be disappointed, so gripe away…

Christian - It must be hot in that glass house this time of year. :D

So, Bob, I guess you wouldn't have played for the Bad News Bears.

LOL - I had to dig for that reference since I've never seen the movie. Yellow isn't my color, so I'd have to say "no". The sponsor's name didn't help things either.

My anecdote about the pens was supposed to be in support of CdJ, and not intended to turn this into a thread where I griped about gripers griping about my griping about the pens, collapsing the thread into a griping black hole. I was attempting to give a thumbs up to the ownership of the place - whoops!

I guess my perfect dining experience would not include the Rose Guy and Big Boyz Bail Bonds pens. Dare to dream, right?

My only experience with Crepe du Jour was that one evening when we stopped by for dessert after dinner downtown and was met by the owner at the door and turned away, saying there was no vacancy. We weren't given the option to wait for a table. Ended up at another place nearby that warmly welcomed us. Had dessert and after dinner drinks with Elvis music playing in the background. Wish I remember the name of the restaurant.

I wonder how much Donny B would take off in tip for a bail bonds pen.

I'm fine with any pen that writes that I'm handed.

Meh, the food is okay, but overpriced. Also, the grouchy/cranky owner can be really rude sometimes. If it weren't the only sit-down creperie in the area I'd go elsewhere.

The reason why you tip is because of service! Not what pen you use to scribble your tip. That poor server is only earning a meager $3.08 an hour, they did their job waited on you and you reduce his tip based on a pen?! Thats just disgusting! and the fact that you went out of your way to email the owner about a stupid pen is even worse. GET A LIFE!

When I was in college, I waited tables. People stole my pens that I bought all the time. Constantly. I had to buy them myself. So if a bail bonds place wants to flood the market with free pens, then I say fine. Too common for you? Then bring your own Monte Blanc Snooty McDuck.

Blogging by the pool with Jesus. It do not get better than this.

Coincidentally, my local liquor store gave me one of those bail bonds pens last night.

They had a whole jar of them, and I was confused when she took a new one out of the jar and gave it to me to sign my credit card slip, since there was already a pen on the counter.

When I tried to give the pen back, she motioned to me through the plexiglass that the pen was a gift to me. Seemed very happy to be giving it away to a regular. And I thought it was nice that she was so happy. And didn't mind getting a free pen, either. I can never find a pen at home when I need one.

As for the pen I'm given at a restaurant to sign the check, I don't think I ever bother to look at what it says. And I don't really care.

Anyway, those bail bonds pens are getting around.

That's a funny thing to notice - I never ever read what's on those pens either. Quite a few years back I used to, but after bothering to read them many many times I guess I unintentionally just dropped the habit. (kind of like ignoring online ads - shhhh!)

she motioned to me through the plexiglass

That is one thing I don't miss about Baltimore. No plexiglass here.

PCB Rob - you are so right. It is a store in Greater Lauraville near your old haunts and near where your fiancee lives.

Until recenltly, they had a regular counter. Then one day I showed up and contracters were installing the plexigalss wall. They are nice people I have known for a long time. I asked, what is with the wall, have you had trouble, and they said yes, much trouble.

It sucks to have to give your money/credit card through a little plexiglass lazy susan, and get your stuff back through same. I hate it. It takes longer and feels alienating.

And we have to gesture or talk really loud to conduct our transactions now. I used to talk to them a lot but now it's just too hard through all the plexiglass. I could go elsewhere, I guess, but the crime is not their fault and I want to give them my business.

Now they just give me free bail bonds pens and smile a lot through the plexiglass.

LJ,
I believe I know the store you mention (its near the fire station?), and I always go there when I am in town. They are very nice people. If its the same place, they have lots of merchandise stacked up everywhere and you have to snake your way around.

Like you, I want to give them my business and support local merchants in the area.

PCB Rob - yes, it is that place. They actually have a very good wine selection, and even high end champagne when I need it. And they also carry many locally brewed beers, as well as a good international selection. It's a good store with good people running it.

Too bad about the plexiglass. And knowing the people who run the store, they wouldn't have done that if they didn't feel it was absolutely necessary. They like interacting with their customers. Very nice people.

It's like Proust – À la recherche du ghetto liquor stores perdu

What is up with you "PEN PEOPLE"? What difference does it make what kind of pen u use? The food is always wonderful! I wonder what your moods are like, that Mustapha's responses are such. Mussels are o die for! French Toeast is wonderful! Onion Soup ...out of this world delicious!
NN

does Barbie Hargrave go there?

These Big Boyz pens are the best!