It was a balmy 58 degrees out and very windy: not the best conditions for an 85 mile each way ride. The city seemed sort of bombed out with a lot of vacant businesses and dilapidated homes. Reminds me of Cudahy WI mixed with down south.
The restaurant, although it looked more like a diner inside, had 2 oval sitting counters, 3 booths, and 2 tables. Although it was not packed there was a steady flow of customers coming and going, most staying for only 10-15 minutes. It is located across the street from a park which is on the lakefront. There were 2 girls softball little league games going on at the park. I would have expected a rush of people after the games let out but I guess the cold temps didn't have any kids wanting ice cream. There was a good mix of young couples with kids and a few old people (over 55) whom I would have expected to be the ones paying in silver. The staff was 5 teenagers who were waiting tables or helping in the kitchen and a man and woman in their 40's working the kitchen.
Turns out I was the only one paying in silver.
They had a menu with a lot of items but the waitress said that the silver deal was only on the items shown on the menu board in the article.
We ordered three 4 piece fried chicken dinners which came with rye bread, cole slaw, and French fries or your choice of German potato salad. We also had fried cheese curds, 2 coffees, and a large soda.
The total cash price was $31.52.
Silver price $1.47 face.
The young girl working the register didn't seem to interested in the silver coins and had to ask the girl how to give me my 3 cents in change back. I got 60 cents back in clad for 3 cents in silver which works out to 20X face of silver which is a better exchange rate than the 15.4X face silver is currently at.
The food was excellent but I never saw the waitress again after ordering to see if the food was OK or if I needed a refill on my soda. I left a $2 bill and a
Buffalo nickel,
V nickel, and 1943 steel cent a s a tip. Hopefully she appreciates them for what they are and they don't end up in the register (which would still be ok if someone gets them back in circulation)