The Picky Eater
a different sort of restaurant review

King Tut's Grill
We walked into Mo's smack in the middle of an unprecedented rush. The place is relatively small--one row of booths, one row of tables, and a short row of counter stools--long before we got our food, all seats were full. Andre was wearing his King Tut's Grill t-shirt (with the slogan "Just say Mo'"), which earned him enthusiastic greetings from the diners already present--strangers to us, it's just that kind of place.

As always, orders were taken by the proprietor Mo, between magic tricks, practical jokes, and demonstrations of novelty items. If you show any hesitation, Mo is always glad to tell you what you should eat (usually whatever is on special that night). New customers are usually served their beverage in a stein with a bell on the handle ("just ring for refills"); kids may get the belching mug. Regulars, like us, generally get vases to drink from.

Since it was chicken night, we went with the specials. Andre got the grilled chicken plate--4 ground chicken patties with 4 different sauces, rice, and green beans. (I usually hate green beans, but I actually LIKE Mo's). I got the grilled chicken salad--3 of the patties, "one whole egg", black olives, red onions, cheese and tomatoes on iceberg lettuce. I tried to order it with ONE chicken patty and THREE boiled eggs, but Mo said "I have to give you three", and wrote down "extra egg" (which I did get). It comes with "tropical fruit plate" (1/3 of a banana, 6 grapes, a slice each of orange, apple, and canteloupe). Both come with fresh baked rolls. Gameboy claimed not to be hungry, and went with two grilled cheese sandwiches (but he ended up eating 2 of my chicken patties). Of course he still had room for one of Mo's trademark basbousas (an non-fat, non-sugar cake with yogurt sauce).

The highlight of the evening came when the kitchen got behind on some of the orders. Mo handed out rhythm instruments (maracas, xylophones, drums, and the odd one-stringed impersonator) to EVERYONE in the restaurant, then proceeded to conduct (while playing the spoons) a rousing rendition of Rocky Top. He lowered the restaurant lights, cranked up the stereo and turned on both the mirrored disco ball and the christmas chase lights strung around the ceiling. Did I mention that the entire room was garlanded with plastic slinkies?

Always entertaining and satisfying; we'll go back whenever we're craving veggies and variety, looking for a lift, or next time Andre and Gameboy get a craving for Mo's special "call-ahead" pizza.