Garland/Wylie/Sachse Editor Marcus Murphree and I made up our minds that we were going to make our late lunch a Grand Slam lunch, but would we be able to brave the crowds?
Could we hold out long enough for our pancake, bacon explosion goodness to quench our thirsts?
See the journey through our eyes after the jump.
We began our journey at the Denny's at 18th Street and Central Expressway, US-75, in Plano just after 1 p.m. We're hungry but determined.
Luckily, just as we turned into the parking lot, a car was backing out to give us a place to park. It was packed.
1:10 p.m. - We joined the line at the back. It would seem that hope might be lost, but the line starting at the Dallas Morning News newspaper box was a good sign for company men like us.
1:30 p.m. - After a 20-minute wait and speculating with the gentlemen in front of us as to how they would handle a line of people outside if it hit 2 p.m. before we were inside, we caught sight of that golden symbol.
We would not be denied.
1:35 p.m. - Five minutes later, we're inside the doors. Smell that bacon?
1:40 p.m. - We have a table. Marcus couldn't be happier. No menus necessary. We'll pregame with some coffee and a water.
We overhear that quite a few customers have neglected to pay for their drinks -- thinking the whole meal is free. Unfortunately, the Denny's wait staff will take a loss on those checks.
Table next to us gets their Grand Slams. The salivating is starting.
1:49 p.m. - Our food arrives. Service was fast. Marcus is ready to go on the attack.
I take a moment just to let the glow come over me. How can you turn this down?
1:52 p.m. - Marcus got the jump on me. He's killed his entire Grand Slam in two minutes -- that's setting some kind of mouth to plate speed record. I guess that coffee pregame took him up a notch.
I'm finishing up. Maybe I should stop talking so many photos. Hands are now sticky with the maple syrup.
1:56 p.m. - Sweet victory. I made up my lost time. We both cleaned our plates. Now, we just have to wait a sec for our waitress to get us the check. They're handing them out like raffle tickets, several at a time.
Total bill: $2.40 + tax
We get up from our seat to pay upon getting our check and the seats are filled almost immediately, before we can even get back to the table to place our tip down.
Yes, Tommy, we did leave a tip. We went the route of tipping based on what the meal would have cost. Thoughts?
2:05 p.m. - The manager is handing out rain checks outside to anyone who didn't make it inside in time or can't stay to eat today. Nice.
Until next time, Denny's.
Jacob Sloan
neighborsgo Assistant Editor
