A Generous Serving

KANSAS CITY - I think there's a line between being friendly and being annoying. But that's just me, and clearly my definition isn't in line with the local customs here.

Yesterday evening we pulled in from a long day of driving (and a diversionary stop in Albany, Illinois: home of Indian burial mounds and the Desperado Casino in southern Iowa) to collapse at a hotel and get a bite to eat. This being Missouri, we wanted to try some barbecue. I inquired where the nearest place was at the front desk.

"Oh, just go down the street. Be careful crossing at the light," our receptionist said. I think she was trying to make up for putting us in a room with a king size and a roll away.

At Rudy's, we were served a mountain of food. I'm still on Asian portion sizes, but this was massive by any measure. The server, in suggesting this "sampler plate" described it as containing "eight slices of ham, ten slices of roast beef, four ribs and a stack of fries." She left out the six pieces of bread, but managed to rattle off this monstrosity with incredible nonchalantness.

It was nearly ten when we got to eating, which is really late for an area of the country that prides itself on eating "supper." We had a large side dining room to ourselves, and an extra-inning match up between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals.

I sat there, trying to eat the meal for nearly an hour. A very large black woman came in from time to time to check in on the game and see how we were doing. Very full, thanks.