Tomorrow is the grand opening of Pudgie's Pizza in Clarksville. If you've been reading the posts here over the past week, you know that I'm excited about that. Jay tells me that I'm obsessing about it and I think he's right. The question is "Why?"
I don't think it's the food. I remember really liking Pudgie's cold roast beef sub. And, I used to think that a sheet pizza from Pudgie's was a real treat. But, once I discovered College Pizza on Third Street way back in the early '80's, that quickly replaced Pudgie's as my favorite pizza in Elmira. And, I can't imagine that any chain has pizza better than Ledo's here in Maryland.
So, if it's not the food, what is it? I think it's just the memories. In 7th grade, I went to Pudgie's for lunch almost every day with Jay Kline or Jimmy Semler. 45 minutes was just enough time to take off from Ernie Davis Junior High School, cross the railroad tracks, buy a slice of pepperoni (I think it was only 35 cents), play a quick game of Space Invaders, and head back. I'm sure the counter staff thought of us as a bunch of dirt bags -- which we pretty much were. But, I thought I was pretty cool and, in 7th grade, isn't being cool (or, at least, thinking that you are) what it's all about?
Later on, in high school, I remember going to Pudgie's sometimes with a bunch of guys on a Friday or Saturday night after an evening carousing through the streets of Elmira. I'm sure that we came off as a bunch of loud, obnoxious 15 and 16 year olds but we were paying customers and what could they do?
I don't think I'll be going to Pudgie's in Clarksville every day for lunch. And, after an evening of mischief on Big Branch Drive with the dinner club, I don't think I'll be able to convince them that we should head off to Pudgie's for a slice. But, just knowing that I have the option now feels pretty good.
This is where the magic happens.
