Salty Waitresses: Al’s Grill, Oak Park

Salty Waitresses: Al’s Grill, Oak Park

With our kitchen under construction, I went to grab a burger for lunch at Al’s Grill. If I’m eating alone at a diner, I can’t imagine sitting anywhere but the counter. For entertainment purposes only. I’d been there about a second when My Waitress (no name tags) came up to the guy sitting next to me, looks at her own water cup and then at him, and says, “You didn’t drink my water, did you? You don’t want to do that ‘cuz you don’t know where my mouth ‘is been.”

The Salty Waitress is a Great American Type.

All the waitress at Al’s are what my mom would call “normal looking” – not great beauties, and probably not one to generate cat-calls except from the randiest of construction crews, but nice and real and between the hours of 11:00 to 1:00, they’re on-stage and the center of much attention…at least my attention.

My Waitress to Cook: “Hey, Jose, where’s my hamburger? You leave it back in Mexico?” The cook seems to appreciate the reference, as do the guys sitting next to me, many of whom she seems to know.

Other Waitress to My Waitress (regarding a customer’s soup): “He got no meat in there. It’s all broth.”
My Waitress: “Jimmy likes it like that. He don’t eat meat.”

My Waitress glanced at me playfully several times. As I finish my burger, she says, “She’s a wimp,” referring to another waitress who just blew past with coffee.

“A wimp?” I query, wimpily.

“Yeah, I want to go to the haunted house at that prison in Joliet, you know, Sullivan. Twenty-five dollars to get in. She’s chicken to go with me.”

“Are there still prisoners, there?” I ask tentatively.

She looks at me and kindly answers, “No, it’s just spooky, you know?” but her look seems to say, “What kind of dumbf*ck are you?”

Al’s Grill
1100 Madison Street
Oak Park, IL 60302

David,

While it may seem strange to have a haunted house at a prison, which I would be very interested in attending.

Last Spring, when we had Jane and Michael Stern. They told stories of going to prison gift stores. They got a lot of interesting items at these prison shops. It was not unusual to get items which require lots of time and detail to make, for example horsehair belts, that you normally don't find.

Ever since I heard their story, it's my goal to stop at a prison gift shop.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Ever since I heard their story, it's my goal to stop at a prison gift shop.

Said with respect and admiration

C2, you are a most atypical person.

Hammond, you ain't 'xactly chopped liver either.

Your friend,
Gary

Cathy2 wrote:Last Spring, when we had Jane and Michael Stern. They told stories of going to prison gift stores. They got a lot of interesting items at these prison shops. It was not unusual to get items which require lots of time and detail to make, for example horsehair belts, that you normally don't find.

Ever since I heard their story, it's my goal to stop at a prison gift shop.

Regards,

I have stopped many times at the prison gift shop of the Marquette Prison in Marquette, Michigan, and I would strongly encourage anyone finding themselves in the area to do the same. Belts, wallets, bracelets, some Native American crafts, and (my favorite) paintings (on birch bark, on velvet, on wood, on cardboard) on offer. Each item is labeled with the ID number of the prisoner/artist, and I think the prisoners receive some portion of the proceeds. It's a fantastic glimpse into the culture of that (wonderful) part of the U.S.

Kristen

Kristen, I don't know when you last stopped at the prison gift shop, but it's been closed for quite a while--to my regret.

Ann Fisher wrote:Kristen, I don't know when you last stopped at the prison gift shop, but it's been closed for quite a while--to my regret.

Ann, you're right, it's been a few years. I am very sad to hear that. Thanks for the update.



Kristen

Kristen and Ann,

Since you have both been to prison giftshops or at least one gift shop. Are these obvious to someone passing the prison or do you knock on the door of the gate inquiring if one is available?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Kristen and Ann,

Since you have both been to prison giftshops or at least one gift shop. Are these obvious to someone passing the prison or do you knock on the door of the gate inquiring if one is available?

Regards,

Cathy, the PGS in MQT was a stand alone building, outside the main gate of the prison. It was visible from the main road and had a sign announcing that it was, in fact, the prison gift shop. My prison shopping never expanded beyond that particular shop, but I'd keep an open mind if anyone has a hot tip.

The one in marquette was outside the prison gates, and had a big sign saying "Prison Gift Shop".

edit: Well damn. kl5 beat me to it by a mile, and now I can't delete my post.

While not in the U.S., friends of ours bought a lovely hammock from a prison gift shop in inland Mexico.

I thought that getting a hammock from the banditos, made the hammock all the more exotic!

While on the subject of prisons;they fascinate me. I can only imagine.
BTW,the water thing from that waitress was priceless.

Sounds like Al's hasn't changed much since I lived around the corner from there many years ago. I used to like the aforementioned soup. The coffee was pretty good too. But it was the mouthy waitresses that were always the main attraction.

Cathy2 wrote:While it may seem strange to have a haunted house at a prison, which I would be very interested in attending.

It isn't at the real prison. But if you're into that sort of thing, it might be worth the $25. (I'm with the wimpy waitress. You couldn't pay me enough.)

http://www.statesville.org

David Hammond wrote:Salty Waitresses: Al’s Grill, Oak Park

With our kitchen under construction, I went to grab a burger for lunch at Al’s Grill. If I’m eating alone at a diner, I can’t imagine sitting anywhere but the counter. For entertainment purposes only. I’d been there about a second when My Waitress (no name tags) came up to the guy sitting next to me, looks at her own water cup and then at him, and says, “You didn’t drink my water, did you? You don’t want to do that ‘cuz you don’t know where my mouth ‘is been.”

The Salty Waitress is a Great American Type.

All the waitress at Al’s are what my mom would call “normal looking” – not great beauties, and probably not one to generate cat-calls except from the randiest of construction crews, but nice and real and between the hours of 11:00 to 1:00, they’re on-stage and the center of much attention…at least my attention.

My Waitress to Cook: “Hey, Jose, where’s my hamburger? You leave it back in Mexico?” The cook seems to appreciate the reference, as do the guys sitting next to me, many of whom she seems to know.

Other Waitress to My Waitress (regarding a customer’s soup): “He got no meat in there. It’s all broth.”
My Waitress: “Jimmy likes it like that. He don’t eat meat.”

My Waitress glanced at me playfully several times. As I finish my burger, she says, “She’s a wimp,” referring to another waitress who just blew past with coffee.

“A wimp?” I query, wimpily.

“Yeah, I want to go to the haunted house at that prison in Joliet, you know, Sullivan. Twenty-five dollars to get in. She’s chicken to go with me.”

“Are there still prisoners, there?” I ask tentatively.

She looks at me and kindly answers, “No, it’s just spooky, you know?” but her look seems to say, “What kind of dumbf*ck are you?”

Al’s Grill
1100 Madison Street
Oak Park, IL 60302

Als Grill..a fond memories of my teenage years living in Oak Park ..they were still in the old location then on the south side of Madison..
'We doze but never close"

deke rivers wrote:Als Grill..a fond memories of my teenage years living in Oak Park ..they were still in the old location then on the south side of Madison..'We doze but never close"

I personally prefer to the funk of the old location, but the new place does offer the advantage of about three times as much seating.

And the reason I go to Al's is more for ambiance than food (though I hate to admit that, it's true).

In all honesty, the hamburger I had was not exactly stellar. It wasn't bad, but it was kind of small and flavorless. The fries were frozen (not a shocker).

Hammond