This month the popular Millvale restaurant is observing its 65th anniversary. To celebrate, they'll serve a free ham and strawberry shortcake dinner to 700 senior citizens. On a good Friday or Saturday night, they often put out 350 dinners. Even tonight, a Thursday, all tables were taken when we arrived without a reservation. It's a no-nonsense kind of place.
People come here because they're hungry, and they know exactly what they like on the menu.
Glasses of water come to the table automatically. It seems to vary with waitresses. But I know of lots of so-called classy restaurants where you always have to ask for water. Potatoes are baked, make that steamed, in foil. Soft rolls and little cartons of butter arrive in a red plastic basket.