I have loved this tofu sandwich for almost fifteen years. I would eat it everyday if it lived next door. It doesn't. It lives at The Good Food Emporium in Halifax. For this sandwich, I walked across town regularly during my first year or two of university. I dreamed when I moved away. I got a parking ticket when I came for a visit. I pressed my nose against the glass when the restaurant happened to be closed every time I was in town for the next ten years. I snuck around the Harbour twice last week while on vacation. And once, several years ago, I made a complete fool of myself.
It's just that it had been so long. And the restaurant was finally open. And I was excited. I walked right up to the counter, "I would like a tofu sandwich, please." Only, the server didn't say, "Which bread would you like," or even, "Shall I pack that up for you?" He said, "Oh, it's Saturday. We don't serve tofu sandwiches today." I wasn't quite prepared, you see. It just slipped out. Loudly. "Are you kidding? I have been trying to eat this sandwich for ten years!" We were both a little shocked then. He spoke first, "Just one minute." When he returned from the kitchen many minutes later, he had good news, and a grin, "He's going to make you a tofu sandwich." I babbled a little while we waited, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't intending...I don't usually...I didn't mean to be pushy." And that guy handed me my sandwich and said, "You were not pushy. I was pushy on your behalf." I thanked him. I tipped him. And I found a bench with a view on which to eat my lunch.
Sometimes, you gotta just fight for what you love. Yay sandwich!!
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