Ahi Tuna in Amish Country
Ever since I went to L.A., I’ve been dying for an ahi tuna sandwich. One of the restaurants we never made it to was called Blvd and their menu had a delicious looking ahi tuna club. The only problem? It was $28. Now, $28 is not a lot to spend on a classy meal, but a sandwich? I had to draw the line.
Today I’m in Lancaster, PA after seeing the Ingrid Michaelson concert last night. If you know me, you know I love her! Kev got us tickets for my birthday and we drove the 3 hours to not have to see her co headline with Rufus Wainwright. Disclaimer: I know very very little about Rufus Wainwright. I know he likes to sing the alleluia and that his first name is Rufus. That is enough for me to know I wanted a solely Ingrid show.
When we got to the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, we were x’d for being under 21 and then ushered onto the balcony. Wait…because I am 19 I can’t be on the actual floor the concert is on? Uh oh. As I entered the balcony I had no idea where the stage even was. I was five rows behind Amazonian high school girls. This was a problem. I knew I had to at least get to where I could see the stage.
After standing on my tippy toes, “accidentally” falling on some kids’ moms, and yoga breathing onto people’s backs…a mom goes, “Oh, fine!” and pushes me by my shoulders into the front row. Alleluia, Rufus Wainwright! I can see! I literally teared up when I finally saw the stage. From then on the concert was great. If that hadn’t happened my rage might have gotten out of control. There might have been pinching and some rallying from us short girls, who knows.
Lancaster really surprised me. Like other outsiders, I pictured Amish country. Sure there was Amish country, but there were also really historic beautiful houses and it was way hipper than I expected. I’ve only been to small cities and towns in the South, and this was much different than, say, Decatur, AL.
So besides being grabbed by the shoulders for a surprise view of Ingrid, I also got a nice surprise at lunch today. We went to a place called Checker’s Bistro (sounds gross right?) but I browsed the menu and saw just what I needed: an Ahi tuna sandwich! Now, it was listed as a “tuna po boy”…not what a New Orleanian would call it, but I looked the other way and ordered it.
It seems less than glamorous. I’m settling for a sandwich from a place with a cafeteria-esque name in Lancaster, PA. But places, people, and food can surprise you. My tuna sandwich came as rare as I like it, with Asian slaw and spicy mayo. It was great. Just looking at the picture makes me want to drive three hours to Checkers to eat it again. Take that, $28 sandwich!
Ever had a great meal in an unexpected place? Comment below!
This post has been written by Christina D’Antoni.
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On a horribly rainy day I was soaked and ended up having a hamburger in a greasy-spoon Lebanese restaurant… 36 years ago and I still remember how good it was.
Lebanese hamburgers! Who would’ve thought! Follow me at http://www.totastetoknow.wordpress.com
It always seems like I get stuck behind people taller than me too! That sandwhich looked good.
Thank You!