My GPS was acting weird tonight.  She was supposed to be guiding us to Foster City.  We had a rendezvous with my two brothers and their families.

The gathering details took on shape in my mind.  I remembered that it was a Hof Brau.  Surely, that had to mean that a varied fare was awaiting us and not just BBQ.  

Our journey had us laughing.  As we cruised down the freeway, Karen, our GPS guide had us exiting the freeway, doing u-turns, jumping back on the freeway and taking a general tour of neighborhoods on either side of the interstate.  We both just laughed and kept on course.

Finally, she must have gotten her circuits clear.  We started to converge on the same route together.  But, I got there a lot faster.

For us Bay Area types the first thing that I noticed was the ample parking.  Yvonne noticed the pleasant warm weather.  Both of us got a deep sense of the “hungries” when the aroma of the German food filled our nostrils. 

The front doors welcomed our entry.  What was spectacular was the side-show next to the entrance.  A large turkey was on a spit and slowly turning as it browned, simmered and dripped with flavorful juices.  Yum!

When I was a young boy our family would visit a Hof Brau in Sacramento.  It was a treat.  My parents would splurge and order me a turkey drumstick all to myself. 

That was a memory that is deeply imbedded in my psyche.  Holding on to that drum with both hands and burying my face into the succulent tender meat was a boy’s dream.  Aren’t memories grand?

Like a little kid reliving a favorite experience, I scanned the menu board.  This Hof Brau offered those amazing options of Pastrami, Roast Beef, Turkey and a few creative options that my eyes never took in.  Instead, my attention was locked into the turkey drum stick meal.

When the chef asked for my order, my smile must have given me away, “Turkey drum stick meal, please.”  His response was reminiscent of shared childhood delight, “Excellent choice, sir.”  I shared a knowing smile with a complete stranger.

My plate was handed to me on a tray and the aroma was heavenly.  Our grace spoken over this meal was sincere. My last bite on a clean bone was as delicious as the first.

photo credit: google image

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