The Long Wait...
Most people would agree that a good food stall can be identified by the number of people queueing for it. If it's good, it's worth waiting for right?
Last Friday we took some friends to Geylang to chow down on some Crab Bee Hoon. Been there a couple of times, and it has always lived up to its reputation. Never had to wait 2 1/2 hrs though! Knew we were in for a wait when all the tables in the kopi tiam (no air con) were taken. It took 30 minutes for Danny to even come round and take our order. There was a dance of sorts before that.
Sit at the table. Signal at the lady for service. She looks at you & nods. Wait 5 mins. Nobody comes. OK. Signal the lady again. Yes, she nods again. Still doesn't come. Fine. Get up. Go over there and tell her you want to order...at least drinks. She tells you to go sit down then she'll serve you. Fine. Go sit down. Wait some more. Still no service. Signal again. Sigh...you get the picture...
After about an hour of waiting, the sotong arrives. It's absolutely delicious - very fresh, cooked perfectly. Half hour later, the kailan arrives. Again, tantalisingly delicious - loaded with garlic (yummy) and yet decidedly sweet. We debate about whether the chef put sugar.
Finally, almost 1045pm and the Crab Bee Hoon arrives. All conversation ceases as we dig in. It's great to eat crab with fellow crab lovers. Tend to eat more when everyone is eating with just as much gusto. Great - it really hits the spot.
Here's the funny part. To pay the bill, we have to wait again. The funny part is that we actually wait - very guai. We wait another half hour just to get the bill. It leaves a hole in our wallets but we leave like a bunch of happy pigs. We adjourn to join other friends to celebrate a birthday. We arrive there past midnight (tho the actual birthday) after having made them wait 2 hrs for us.
The things we do for food.