A Non-Sterling Experience at Sterling Restaurant

Sometimes the spice of life is the unexpected and other times the unexpected brings the worst kind of surprise. That was the case when we went to visit my parents recently and dad was taking us to breakfast after our plane landed.

Bob Evans was supposed to be where our stomachs received their first nourishment but dad couldn’t find it.

But he did see a sign that said “Breakfast All Day” and his car whipped right into that parking lot.

We gave each other questioning looks as we pulled into our parking spot since the sign and grounds looked a little in disrepair but hey, our papa wanted to eat here so we were going to just go with the flow. Oh, how we wish we hadn’t. 🙂

I headed for the bathrooms to freshen up after our flight. That was my second indication that this place might not be up to snuff. The bathrooms looked in disrepair and as old as the patrons and the patrons were all seniors+.

I came out to find us seated at a long L shaped formica covered table where we all were facing out and not at each other.  Our waitress was a friendly enough lady who looked like she was still in the 60’s with her big hair, hoop earrings and lavender eye shadow. She let us know the soup of the day was “goulash”. I kid you not! I had to wonder just what was in the soup after seeing the conditions around me. lol

Figuring I would be safe with chicken strips, that’s what I ordered. A variety of dishes was chosen – Eggs Benedict, Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Soup, Chicken Strips, Vegetable soup… The Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Soup, we were assured, was outstanding.

As if to make a point about how tasty the food was (or was it indigestion) the man in the booth next to us let out a big exhalation of air  burp!

Just another part of the experience, folks!

My sister’s delicious Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Soup arrived and big sis took a bite with anticipation. And I suppose if you enjoy Velveeta processed cheese you might would have liked it because that’s what it was. Whether or not Velveeta is actually made in Wisconsin I don’t know, but the cheese soup did not agree with anyone’s palate.

My chicken strips arrived and as I stared at it, I was dismayed. It looked to have come from a box and just heated in the oven. Gross. Not only that, it was completely bendable. You know. Sort of like rubber. Gross again. I completely lost my appetite and after only a few bites, I traded with Audrey for her pancake.

The cheese omelet was filled with more of the “Wisconsin cheddar” Velveeta cheese. Mom, who had ordered Vegetable Soup, remarked on her crackers, “There’s just something not quite right about these crackers. They just don’t taste fresh… kind of soft.

We couldn’t help but laugh. This place was awful. And to top it all, President Bush had breakfast here in 2001 and Sterling Family Restaurant is quite proud of this.

There’s a time when a business needs to make some hard decisions about whether to close their doors or not. I think they’ve delayed making the right one for a verrrryyy long time.