So, I happened to read this article this week, Turning 17 at Chili’s, and it touched something in me. For a tl;dr version of the essay, it’s about growing up middle class in the United States and what it meant to celebrate a birthday at a chain restaurant. The author reminisces about special occasions, which reminded me of my own beloved chain restaurant of choice, the Olive Garden. Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta in the 80’s and 90’s, there was not much in the way of farm to table, or really, even the concept of a ‘local’ restaurant. (That’s okay, because I wouldn’t have known the difference anyway). For special treats, the Olive Garden was a place (to me, ages 7-12) nothing short of an amazing culinary experience. Buttery, garlicky breadsticks. Yummy Italian dressing in a never ending salad bowl. The choice of six different kinds of pasta, and,…
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