This comment is from Joe Torrell, formerly a professional server at the Gamble Mill and so good at his craft that he was the Paternos' server when they entertained in their State College home. Joe and his partner Mark are staunch food truck supporters and his POV is an interesting one.
From an email message that Joe sent to me and used with his permission:
"Not that Mark and I went out to eat often but when we did, we had a difficult time of it in leaving Bellefonte. A straight shot down 150 and then on to College Avenue seemed too much bother. Finding a parking spot, dodging students, loud music and lotsa traffic. Ugh! Today I could not tell you a single restaurant in downtown State College save for the Corner Room and/or The Tavern. And we haven't been to either of those in years. First Night once a year is all we need of that other downtown.
But in Beautiful Bellefonte we have Bonfatto's, The Hofbrau, and State Burgher. We even have a wonderful Chinese take-a-way. And that's only in our user-friendly downtown. Axemann, Zion and Hublersburg are some of our favorite locales too.
But alas, Covid struck. We weren't gonna take the chance. Solution? Food Trucks! YAY! I'm not certain but I think they may have been more popular over here than over there. But that's not based on any scientific survey so take that for what it's worth.It became great fun to find where the trucks were. Friends would tell us, "Bonnie Blues is on Veterans Bridge." "Clems is up beyond the high school." "Brazilian Munchies is in front of the Court House." We told neighbors, "Rosies is in the Center Peace parking lot." "The pizza oven guy is down at the Brewery." "Scotts is at Tractor Supply." Word got around and we loved the food and we let each owner know that. Now how often did you ever get to meet the chef? Some chefs hated to talk with customers but I'm not mentioning any names. Menus were on line so you knew what to order as soon as you stepped to the window.
When I waited tables it was... "I'm sorry, we're out of that." "What do you mean I need a reservation?" "I'm sorry we're late but traffic was heavy leaving the game." "Can I substitute a salad for the starch?" "Joe, you have a table in the bar!" UGH !!
With Food Trucks there is no wait staff to coddle, no dishes to wash, no tables to clear, and reservations aren't necessary. You run out of food? Just pull down the blind, start up the truck and head home.
No host? Just take your dinner to a table in the park. No linen? Well then there is no laundry to do and no napkins to mangle [haha]. No wine list? Bring your own. Just disguise it. Improvise!"
Thanks, Joe! for reading and sharing your perspective. I am re-thinking my opinion.
This comment is from Joe Torrell, formerly a professional server at the Gamble Mill and so good at his craft that he was the Paternos' server when they entertained in their State College home. Joe and his partner Mark are staunch food truck supporters and his POV is an interesting one.
From an email message that Joe sent to me and used with his permission:
"Not that Mark and I went out to eat often but when we did, we had a difficult time of it in leaving Bellefonte. A straight shot down 150 and then on to College Avenue seemed too much bother. Finding a parking spot, dodging students, loud music and lotsa traffic. Ugh! Today I could not tell you a single restaurant in downtown State College save for the Corner Room and/or The Tavern. And we haven't been to either of those in years. First Night once a year is all we need of that other downtown.
But in Beautiful Bellefonte we have Bonfatto's, The Hofbrau, and State Burgher. We even have a wonderful Chinese take-a-way. And that's only in our user-friendly downtown. Axemann, Zion and Hublersburg are some of our favorite locales too.
But alas, Covid struck. We weren't gonna take the chance. Solution? Food Trucks! YAY! I'm not certain but I think they may have been more popular over here than over there. But that's not based on any scientific survey so take that for what it's worth.It became great fun to find where the trucks were. Friends would tell us, "Bonnie Blues is on Veterans Bridge." "Clems is up beyond the high school." "Brazilian Munchies is in front of the Court House." We told neighbors, "Rosies is in the Center Peace parking lot." "The pizza oven guy is down at the Brewery." "Scotts is at Tractor Supply." Word got around and we loved the food and we let each owner know that. Now how often did you ever get to meet the chef? Some chefs hated to talk with customers but I'm not mentioning any names. Menus were on line so you knew what to order as soon as you stepped to the window.
When I waited tables it was... "I'm sorry, we're out of that." "What do you mean I need a reservation?" "I'm sorry we're late but traffic was heavy leaving the game." "Can I substitute a salad for the starch?" "Joe, you have a table in the bar!" UGH !!
With Food Trucks there is no wait staff to coddle, no dishes to wash, no tables to clear, and reservations aren't necessary. You run out of food? Just pull down the blind, start up the truck and head home.
No host? Just take your dinner to a table in the park. No linen? Well then there is no laundry to do and no napkins to mangle [haha]. No wine list? Bring your own. Just disguise it. Improvise!"
Thanks, Joe! for reading and sharing your perspective. I am re-thinking my opinion.