1. Surprising the unsuspecting is one of my favorite things to do!
2. Typically if I am at a restaurant I almost always order water, because I don't see the point in wasting 3$ for a drink.
3. Nothing tastes as good as a free meal.
Anyone finding a correlation here? If not, pray (not the actual action by the way... It also means to "implore" in case you didn't know), let me explain.
As I sat at work on a boring Tuesday, the baby slept in my arms and wouldn't allow me to put her in her crib. I wasn't a happy camper, because this was my lunch break and it was already 2 o'clock! Suddenly a Facebook notification popped up my screen, disheartened I checked it to find a lady proclaiming that a new restaurant opened and needed practice for serving/cooking so they were offering free plates. I scoffed, Jacob Mizell raised me off the slogan "you don't get somethin' for nothin'!" So I did not even being to bother myself with what was sure to be a scam... After a few moments I began to question my own skepticism- why not at least call to find out what this woman meant? So I took the plunge.
"Hi yes this is BJ's Restaurant and Brewery... Yes ma'am! We are opening July 15th but today through Saturday we are hosting a dress rehearsal meal, complimentary of BJ's. We will have appetizers, entrees, desserts and all specialty drinks-the only thing that isn't free is alcoholic beverages. All you have to do to take part is make a reservation!"
Had my ears deceived me? Or had this woman just said a FREE meal was in my grasp?
My response to her? "How about Wednesday at 5:30 !?" So it was set; I was in a crazy haze, deciding to surprise Graham with a night out, on me (wink, wink).
In response to my excitement, Tuesday dragged by! All day seemed to be in slow motion, each event taking forever. On our way home from Institute I caved, slightly, when I told Graham not to have any plans because we were going to do something right after work.
At last, at last, Tuesday was in the dust and 'twas blessed Wednesday. All day I thought about it as I replayed scenes in my head about what could go wrong. After careful contemplation I rationalized that I was worrying too much about a small situation. Five o'clock rolled around, and I rolled up outside Graham's work- ready for blast off. He hopped in and I started going, all the while not telling him where we were en route to.
Now you guys already know that I can't go a day without some type of mishap, just begging for my day to go awry. As we entered traffic on the interstate it was so packed that we were under the Minimum Speed Limit (40 mph)! However that wasn't too bad, since it eventually sped up, it only put us 5 minutes behind. As we took our exit, I began to notice the desolation and complete lack of stores- the last thing you want to come across when you're heading to a outdoor mall. So my gps led us to my destination... BUT the destination was wrong! Instead of "Max Leggett parkway" it took us to "Parkway street." Apparently, the new address refused to show up on my old gps. As 5:50 passed, I was on fire! I googled the directions and found my way- only to be led to a ROAD CLOSED sign. My patience was skating on the thinnest piece of ice as I prayed the next turn would help assist me to my destination- and it did :) It led me straight towards the mall and I turned to see a huge, and very packed, BJ's Restaurant and Brewery. Hallelujah!
Graham asked why we were at this location, I explained, yada yada- time for the food!! So we entered the restaurant, who courteously forgave my 30 minute tardy, excited to see how the afternoon would pan out.
The place literally was slammed to capacity, said our host, but our wait was only about 15 minutes. When we finally sat down a server, looking exhausted but smiling, came took our drink requests (strawberry lemonade and an orange cream) and handed us our menu. To my sincere surprise, our menu only held three items! Sensing my confusion, a manager came over to explain the situation. Each set of diners had their own unique menu. This menu held the option of two entrees and either an appetizer or a dessert. The plan was for each to order one of both, to be decided amongst ourselves, to help the chefs further their knowledge of each item. Our menu was as follows-
ENTREES
-Hawaiian Mahi Mahi
-Vegetarian Pizza
DESSERT
-Pizookie
Graham opted for the Mahi Mahi and I asked for pizza but with a substitution of pepperoni and green olives instead. So our order was taken and we began to take inventory of our surroundings. Our neighbors had several different options- creamy pasta, Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, big and little pizzas, steak, nachos! Eventually Graham and I took turns walking around surveying the place. It was absolute chaos! But everyone was having a great time being pampered by the eager waiters. Our waitress really was spoiling me rotten with free drinks! We were given a tart strawberry lemonade, a orange cream that tasted just like ice cream, a handmade root beer and two virgin strawberry daiquiris! I was in heaven, by getting whatever I wanted for no cost!
When our food came out I was practically full from all of my drinks. I loved my pizza, though I couldn't finish it,and Graham was pretty satisfied with his, he just wished his fish was a bigger portion. As soon as we finished that they put in our order for a Pizookie. A few minutes later, in a small cake pan, arrive a huge freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top. If I would have keeled over right there, I'd of died a very happy lady. My dessert was stupendously, ridiculously, marvelously delicious- was that enough adjectives to give it justice? (Just in case not--- amazingly, wonderfully, astonishingly spectacular!) I could not have lifted my spoon again had more food came out, I was positively stuffed!
Then the wait for our bill began. We were fairly sure my daiquiris (alcohol gratis) wouldn't cost but just out of curiosity. Lo and behold our check arrived- $0.00! Amazing. I realized how much we would have purchased on an ordinary day and it added to about 40$ (mostly due to all of the drinks). So they ran the debit card to tip our kind waitress as I filled out a survey with excellent reviews for the night. It sure was fun and, most importantly, free!
As we prepared to leave our tip Graham was given a receipt and a piece of complimentary chocolate. He was confused, so he asked me, "why do we owe .54$?" We died laughing once we figured it out. Of all things to pay for on a free night out, the 'complimentary' chocolate! Which we didn't mind, since they did allow us to have a great time.
Right after we left we stuck around the Airport area (the location of the new BJ's) since we are never there and basically spent the money we saved on food. But hey, I'm okay with that. My boy bought a new work shirt (that I picked out and LOVE) for himself. (Below is the photo of him at work wearing the shirt- isn't it darling?)
I got a new pair of tennis shoes! It was kind of ironic to find a cute pair of Puma's that I've been searching for at this store. The best part? Their price ;)
So hats off to BJ's Restaurant and Brewery for this unexpected experience! It sure was a great one and I will be returning soon, I'd recommend you do the same.
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