Jordan Harris

Work Count: 1046

Eating In
As I approach The Lunch Box I am very excited. The normal happy Ieeling oI eating
lunch is combined with the thought that I know this is going to be a great experience. This is not
about me, but a new restaurant, The Lunch Box, located on Tabernacle street in St. George Utah.
What do we use to celebrate birthdays or events? Iood! People gather together to enjoy
a wonderIul meal and to take in the inviting atmosphere. We even have a major holiday that is
based on Iood and stuIIing our Iaces with it. I am now older and I am starting to argue Ior the
quality over quantity oI Iood argument. I don't just want a good tasting meal, I want one that
satisIies multiple senses and leaves you wanting nothing more Irom your meal.
I walk into The Lunch Box and I was not greeted by anyone. A bad Iirst impression is
hard to recover Irom. In my mind I am thinking, why are they not saying hello? don`t they know
that I am a valued customer? It is 11:04 AM and The Lunch Box has just opened Ior the day.
The dining room is small and has some interesting decorations on the walls, it is a mix oI old
music paraphernalia and hotel art. There is an older looking man working in the back, he is
about to prepare a salad. The big mixing bowl he is using iI Iilled to capacity with macaroni.
The sight oI this man squeezing out a special sauce into the Iresh pasta reminds me oI icing a
cake with a piping bag.
The man is Tony, he is the owner oI The Lunch Box, and he just goes by Tony, like Cher
or Madonna. We get to talking about The Lunch Box and he shares with me his love oI cooking.
Immediately I can tell that he has a passion Ior what he does. Tony runs The Lunch Box with his
wiIe and his son. 'Food has always been easy Ior me Tony said. The way Tony talks about his
Iavorite dishes and why he loved to cook so much it almost makes you want to get in the kitchen
and cook. 'My mother would always tell me that Iriends are made over good Iood and Iamily
is the most important. said Tony, that is why he loves to cook Ior people, to see the looks on
their Iaces when the eat something amazing. The Lunch Box has been open Ior just over a month
now, business is slow but Tony does have a Iew repeat customers. 'They always come back
Ior the pulled pork Tony said, grinning with pride. The pulled pork is one oI the best selling
sandwiches, iI you ask Tony Ior a recommendation, he will tell you to have the pork.
The dining area is small but comIortable. I sit down at a table with no tablecloth, Tony
wants more oI a diner Ieel. As I sit at the table, I get a glance Irom the workers every now
and then, they are willing to help but not wanting to rush my order they let me take my time.
The restaurant does not explain how ordering Iood works, an order here sign would have been
very helpIul. I am the only person at the Lunch Box, and normally when there is no one at a
restaurant that means that something is oII, or not good about the establishment, but Tony says
that the rush is right aIter 12 o`clock.
Looking over the menu, my eyes were glued to the BBQ chicken sandwich. It had thinly
sliced BBQ chicken, lettuce, tomato, bacon, cheese, crispy onion straws and it was all drizzled
with ranch dressing. 'I love BBQ anything Jordan said.
My order was placed and while I waited Ior my Iood a young couple came into The
Lunch Box. They had been there beIore and were back to try a new sandwich. Travis and
Michaela have dated Ior a Iew months now and The Lunch Box was one oI their Iavorite places
to eat. ' I love the Mediterranean sandwich Travis said 'It is a great alternative to a big meat
Iilled sandwich The Mediterranean is a vegetarian sandwich that has become very popular due
to its unique ingredients and taste. 'This is one oI the best sandwiches I have ever had in my
liIe Michaela said 'It was so good! Michaela was reIerring to the original stacker option that
The Lunch Box oIIers. You can pick the type oI bread that you want, Iollowed by your choice
oI meat and cheeses. Then you can top it oII with condiments and a salad. This Ieature is very
similar to Subway but with more oI a homemade Ieel. This is one oI the more popular Ieatures
that The Lunch Box provides. 'People really enjoy creating a sandwich with all oI their Iavorite
ingredients Tony said.
Tony spends a lot oI time preparing Ior his long day oI cooking. 'It all starts the night
beIore as I plan out the soup oI the day and the special side dish to prepare Tony said. Tony
normally gets to the restaurant at 10:00 AM, but his day starts at 7:00 in the morning, preparing
the Iood and getting any catering orders ready Ior pickup. While Tony does most oI the cooking,
his wiIe and son help with the cleaning and waiting oI tables. It is a Iamily business and while
the prices are high Ior a big sandwich, you are getting a quality item.
Tony has seen many restaurants come and go in St. George but he hopes that The Lunch
Box will become a staple eatery Ior the locals.
The sandwich arrived quicker than expected. It was warm to the touch almost too hot
to pick up. The smell was intoxicating, almost taking you to another place Iree Irom worries
and stress, the way only Iood can do. The BBQ chicken sandwich was above average, it was
excellent. II you are looking Ior a good place to eat and Ior a man who is passionate about his
Iood, Tony and The Lunch Box should be your next stop.