How many times have you felt like getting a bite of dinner somewhere – not too fussy, not too expensive, just simple, good food – and you draw a blank?
Here in the North State there’s no problem when we’re in the mood for Thai food or Mexican food. Options galore, there.
But when we want something classic American diner-ish, many places that are open during the day are shuttered for dinner. Deja Vu, Gold Street Cafe, Country Kitchen and Country Waffles come to mind here. (Dearest Country Waffles, we love you and we like visiting you for breakfast, but please, for the love of God, ditch those garish dust-catching artificial flowers. You’re going to give someone an asthma attack.)
Where were we? Oh yes, deciding on a place to eat a quick, reasonably priced dinner.
So it went the other evening after my sister popped into JoAnn’s Fabrics for some yardage for Shelly’s art room.
We were hungry, and debated where to grab a quickie dinner. As we ticked off the usual choices we glanced across Hartnell Avenue and noticed Perko’s, a place I hadn’t eaten in probably 20 years.
Normally I wouldn’t consider Perko’s because it’s not even on my radar. My memory of Perko’s was of a cluttered greasy spoon filled with blue-haired folks — not that I have anything against blue hair.
But as Shelly and I looked at Perko’s neon lights, I recalled that just recently friend Lyn seemed almost embarrassed to recommend Perko’s – a place that’s now called Perko’s Cafe & Grill. Apparently, even its name has changed since I last set foot inside it.
Lyn was like, “Uh, you won’t believe this, but we had a really good meal at Perko’s recently.”
I was dubious, but I know and trust Lyn.
What the heck, Shelly and I said. Let’s try it.
Well, well, well.
Lyn was right, right, right.
The Perko’s on Hartnell is completely remodeled in a Craftsman motif with cushy padded gray booths (love booths) and nicely appointed artwork. It looked clean and tidy.
Anyone can remodel a restaurant and change its name. But what about the food?
Granted, we didn’t try everything, but Shelly’s French Dip sandwich was excellent, and I ordered a small steak (yes to the mushrooms, no thanks to the teriyaki) that came with a large baked potato and a slice of grilled bread, for just $8.95.
Really, we were shocked.
Plus, the young woman who waited on us was delightful and attentive, and didn’t give us grief when we requested real half-and-half for our hot tea, rather than faux coffee “creamer.”
The lighting was soft and pleasant, and the music wasn’t so loud that we couldn’t hear each other talk.
We really had a nice time and enjoyed a delicious dinner.
My and Shelly’s unexpectedly lovely Perko’s Cafe & Grill dining experience made me wonder: How many other places are out there, places I’ve never tried, or that I tried a long time ago, but didn’t return for one reason or another.
(The last time I was in Perko’s, for example, my daughter’s apple pie crust came with some rather unappetizing green fuzzy stuff growing inside. I never returned. Unfair? Maybe. But it certainly left me with a lasting negative impression of the place.)
After my recent trip to Perko’s on Hartnell Avenue in Redding, I’ll certainly be back.
In the meantime, these are tough times for all businesses. We could lend them a hand by spreading the word about good, local places.
What are some of your favorite businesses – establishments that we may find surprising?
Independent online journalist Doni Greenberg founded what’s now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Greenberg was an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Northern California in the tiny town of Igo.
