Got a little story for ya Ags…
It was the mid 2000s. I hadn't been working long and even less so in San Antonio. But I had heard about this German restaurant, Schilo's, and a few people recommended it. I worked downtown so I decided to walk over for lunch one day. Business casual…slacks with a button down.
I walk in off Commerce Street and it is a busy lunch crowd. I take a seat at the bar. Looking around I was a little surprised so see so many guys drinking beer at lunch. But I had come from Midland and a drink at lunch wasn't totally out of the question there so I didn't give it much thought.
After looking at the menu I get a sandwich (maybe a Rueben) and think, "what the hell, how bout a beer too!" When in Rome, right? I order a dark beer since that seems to be what everyone was doing. Trying to blend in.
The sandwich comes and I notice that the guy next to me was about halfway through his order which was identical to mine. As he finishes up his last bites the waitress asks if he'd "like another one" and he nods without any hesitation. She brings him a fresh one in a cold, frosty mug.
Damn. This place is badass. I like this "devil may care" attitude. Working life ain't bad.
Makes sense I thought…the beer is not bad. And rather than savor it, I drink at a quicker pace so maybe I can have another round toward the end of my meal. About halfway through my sandwich I order another beer. The bartender looks at me a little strange but smiles and she pours me another. Then I see her go talk to a coworker and sorta gesture in my direction.
By this time the guy next to me has left with the remnants of his meal, including the check, still at the bar. I look at his ticket total to see what the final damage would be since he had the exact same stuff as me. It was around $15. Not bad, I thought. I can see why people like this place.
I finish up my meal and I'm feeling, not drunk, but definitely relaxed a little. I get my check and I'm stunned to find that my total is like $26-$28.
I'm immediately confused with what the **** is going on. Did I miss some kind of special lunchtime ordering window, like a happy hour or something?
I'm just about to ask the bartender what's up with the difference in check totals when a waitress approaches and puts her drink tray on the bar before saying to the bartender…
"4 more root beers. Man, people are loving this today" she says.
And then it hits me as I gaze around the restaurant, moving from one table to the next: I'm drinking real beer. Everyone else is drinking homemade root beer on tap.
My fears are confirmed when I pick up the menu again and see an entire section with the header "Famous Root Beer".
I quickly paid and went back to the office.
Still one of the most enjoyable afternoons at work I've ever had.
