My mom's first job was as a waitress at Wilder's. Vern, or Old Man Wilder as she called him, was a stickler for everything being perfect in the restaurant. The plates, silverware, etc were to be placed exactly right on the tables. He'd walk around checking out the set up tables and actually measuring to be sure they were perfect. The maraschino cherry halves were drained and pressed - carefully - so not a single drop of cherry juice would run down the dollop of whipped creme - made daily - onto the custard - also made daily. Otherwise, he'd send it back to the kitchen to have the whipped creme and cherry carefully removed so it could be redone. I loved eating there as a kid, and I never ate off the kid's menu. If he was there while we were having dinner, many times Mr. Wilder would take me by the hand and walk me to the bar to get a Shirley Temple and then take me back to our table. He was an excellent host and I have many fond memories of eating there and hanging out when Mom would stop in to get her check or something.
My mom's first job was as a waitress at Wilder's. Vern, or Old Man Wilder as she called him, was a stickler for everything being perfect in the restaurant. The plates, silverware, etc were to be placed exactly right on the tables. He'd walk around checking out the set up tables and actually measuring to be sure they were perfect. The maraschino cherry halves were drained and pressed - carefully - so not a single drop of cherry juice would run down the dollop of whipped creme - made daily - onto the custard - also made daily. Otherwise, he'd send it back to the kitchen to have the whipped creme and cherry carefully removed so it could be redone. I loved eating there as a kid, and I never ate off the kid's menu. If he was there while we were having dinner, many times Mr. Wilder would take me by the hand and walk me to the bar to get a Shirley Temple and then take me back to our table. He was an excellent host and I have many fond memories of eating there and hanging out when Mom would stop in to get her check or something.
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing.