la.foodblogging

We have a standing joke in my house. Whenever I absent-mindedly put on my Zankou Chicken T-shirt, my wife complains that I’m coming home late at night smelling like garlic paste–and where are the leftovers? It’s true that wearing a T-shirt that you got at a chicken place makes you look like you work at the chicken place, but hey, I like it. My T-shirts don’t hawk rock bands, video games, or cartoons, but I do enjoy a smug satisfaction wearing the $3.99 T-shirt I got at Zankou. Then I got one at Skooby’s. If the T-shirts from In N’ Out or Pasadena’s The Hat looked even slightly cooler, I’d own those too, but I’ve never gotten them.

The thing is, these two T’s get me more reaction than even my satirical Harry Potter shirt, “Republicans For Voldemort“. When I wear the Skooby’s shirt, I get called “Skooby,” and either told how great they think Skooby’s is, or ask me for a quickie review. Yesterday, at the play area at the Glendale Galleria, my Zankou shirt got me into two conversations with other Dads. They both began with praise for the food, but one dad wanted to know what other Armenian food I’d tried. He said Sevan Chicken (which I’ve never tried) is less greasy, and has a slightly different taste. We agreed it’s time I try Raffi’s Place, then told me the best Greek food in SoCal is Mykonos in Long Beach. Never been.

To get me to buy the shirt, I have to first love the food, then think the shirt has some cool cachet, then have the price be $10 or under. Where else should I go?

By Why We Type (see more of his posts).