Right now I am on am Amtrak train (79 Carolinian) headed south to have supper at a Golden Corral. Yes, apparently some of the steakhouses from the 70s still exist. I’m going to Fredericksburg for the day to celebrate my paternal grandmother’s 90th birthday, which was actually on Thursday.

After a restless night of sleep, it was a bolt to make it to the train station (eight minutes to spare). Since I’m going to need caffeine jolts to keep me going, I decided to stop by Jacob’s on the way for some coffee. The people in line in front of me, I swear they were ordering milkshakes for breakfast. I could have sworn one of them said “scoop of vanilla ice cream”. Their total for three milkshakes coffees and a couple of muffins was $18.72. My large French Roast was $2.08.

I make it to the train with eight minutes to spare. Yikes, that one was close. The only double-seat available is on the sun-side of the car (I know these things). But luckily there’s no window, a structural element is there so hopefully I won’t be in the sun and won’t bake on the ride down.

//Message over train’s PA system: Do not stuff diapers into the toilets. This will render the restroom inoperable.//

A note about Golden Corral, for those of you who don’t remember or were brought in the time of casual dining (Bennigan’s). GC was where you’d take the family “out” for a dinner in the 70s. It’s a steak & baked potato for $3.99 kind of place. When vegetarianism spread outside of California, circa 1977, they added a salad bar. But back then everybody ate meat and they liked it. There was also a similar competitor, Ponderosa. Notice how both have cattle ranch-inspired cowboy themes? The waitress uniforms in the 70s undoubtedly consisted of embrodered denim skirts and red gingham shirts, complete with scarf and cowboy hat. And possibly a toy pistol.

Today’s GC is totally different. I was still expecting to order a t-bone or fillet steak, but it was one big buffet cafeteria with all different kinds of  foods. It was definitely grab-a-plate and go. Plate #1 was definitely head to the salad bar section to fill up on that first. Plate #2 was a small steak with traditional sides: mashed taters, carrots and mac & cheese. At least I stayed away from the onion rings and the fried shrimp.

There was a lot of family there, of all different ages and generations which was nice. After everyone ate we had cake & ice cream and took the requisite each generation with Mama Della pictures. One thing about Mama Della: she has always had the kids call her this, even the kids from the neighborhood. So even people who aren’t related to her know her and address her using this moniker. I’ve always thought that was kinda cool.