This is Day 2 of my ongoing series, Cajun Tomato’s NYC 100, to chronicle my New York City experiences and observations.
En route to work Thursday I stepped inside Tommy’s Grill, one of Washington Heights’ hole in the wall diners, to grab two slices of cheese pizza. I sampled their pizza earlier in the week. My review: thick cheese, minimal sauce, greasy, perfect for speed eating before a subway ride.
I ordered Thursday afternoon and then pulled out my debit card. The hulking, bald man behind the counter shook his head solemnly. “Our card machine’s not working,” he informed me.
I assured him this was OK and pivoted to my left to leave.
“You don’t have to pay for the pizza now. Just pay for it next time,” he instructed me.
The previous time I ate Tommy’s pizza a different employee refused a beggar a cup of ice because they could not pay for the cup. The man behind the counter told the beggar to dig through the garbage for a cup. When the beggar came back inside without a cup the man behind the counter relented.
For yours truly, this fine establishment offered to put $5 of pizza on layaway. The idea of this man storing my ginger visage in his mind so he could reclaim the debt later seemed less than appealing. Also, the fiscal conservative in me screamed, “Don’t take on more debt for two slices of pizza!!!!”
Rather than just wish me a good day the clerk followed me to his open window with shouts of “Sir! Sir! Sir!” His voice boomed, and for a moment I thought he would follow me out to the sidewalk. Apparently, this place REALLY, REALLY wants to give away their pizza.
Near Times Square I grabbed two cheese slices inside a $1 pizza joint. They accepted debit.
Check back Saturday for another installment of Cajun Tomato’s NYC 100. I am planning on going to the LSU bar in NYC, Legend’s, to watch the Tigers’ football team play Florida.
Also lolsworthy.