Just South of the Wetland Institute is Pats Lunch

Sammy and I were running an errand on the outside of Stone Harbour. As we passed this old looking place in the middle of the wetland causway, hold me that Bud liked the cheese steaks at Pats Lunch. A few days later on our way to the wetland institue, we passed Pats and decided to eat there for lunch.

Susan was a bit apprehensive when we pulled up, but I assured her that this place has great steaks. As we walked to the front door, there was a piece of cardboard that had "air conditioning, close door" on the door and an article from the New York Times that raved about Pats chowder in the window. I opened the door and revealed a totally disheveled hovel that was a cross between a bait shop, flee market and a dirty greasy spoon. I walked past the used exercise bike with a card board sign that had 15$ or best offer written on it up to the bar. The man behind the bar handed two hot dog buns to the couple that were sitting at the bar and said "you cant get this much lobster anywhere else for $13" . He then pointed at Susan and the kids who were still standing by the front door and waved his hand towards his face like he was trying to force air into his lungs. Miles was pulling at Susans shorts and whispering something to her . The man reached below the bar and produced a lollipop saying "Every kid that eats here gets a lollipop. Do you kids want a hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich?" Annie immediately said, "hot dog!" and reached for the lollipop. The couple at the bar were chewing their lobster rolls and nodded their heads and shrugged their shoulders. Susan asked Miles what he wanted and he said... "mommy, this place smells." I ordered a cheese steak for myself and a hot dog for miles as I noticed the to go cups on the counter top that had some crust on the rim. Susan stammered a bit and ordered a bowl of chowder and a lobster roll. The man behind the bar said.... I don't take credit cards, you got cash?" We didn't have much so Susan removed the lobster roll from the order. Miles said "SMELLS!" I took miles hand and was leading him outside when I saw what appeared to be a mass suicide of flies on the window sill.

I then called Bud and asked if the cheese steak place on the outskirts of Stone Harbour was called Pat's. Bud told me that he had heard of that place.... Harry Keyser ate there once and was not impressed. Bud told me that he had never seen any other cars there but that crown victoria that was always there.

I ate the cheese steak, it was perty good. Annie and miles ate the hot dog, no particular complaints. Susan didn't like the chowder... "it had big chunks of flour in it." We drove back into Stone Harbor and got some pizza to go.