Interesting hypothesis for a thread and, in my case, a timely one to some degree.

I was off yesterday and I was doing some shopping. There was a restaurant not too far from the mall and I had been there a couple of times before. Both times I was very pleased with the food and I remembered that they had a very nice outdoor patio so I decided to drop in for lunch.

On a Monday the place was about half full with local workers and I slipped easily into a nice table on the patio. No waiting in line---no muss, no fuss. Before I was able to even unroll the napkin someone came by with the menu, the waitress right behind.

Now, this place isn't a 'dive' but it is one of those 'taverns' with multiple TVs showing sports and the stock market, has a popcorn machine in the corner and peanut shells on the floor. The patio chairs and tables are plastic and the napkins are paper.

Turns out that one of their lunch specials was their 1/2 lb. steakburger with fries; normally $8.95 but today, $5.00. I added provolone cheese at no charge. I chose a 16 oz. Stella draft @ $3.00 (again on special). I ordered the cheeseburger rare---it came out perfect---with a fried pickle as an added bonus. It was, without a doubt, the best cheeseburger that I've had this year---and I do love my cheeseburgers! LOL

With tax and tip, about $12.00 out the door. Extra Bonus: this restaurant participates in the Rewards Network program so I got airline milage (double on a Monday)!

I've had some memorable meals while dining on the expense account but it doesn't stop me from enjoying food/settings that is just so perfect at that moment. Sometimes 'simple' is 'sublime'.