Comments on: Last Night at the Geriatric Cafeteria

By: Coop

Coop — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:27:52 +0000

Well, the one I’m thinking of–if it’s still there–isn’t a “Highland Park” cafeteria. I think it’s called Pat Luby’s (not Luby’s). It’s near the intersection of Gus Thomasson and Ferguson, though it seems like Gus Thomasson might not be called Gus Thomasson once you go west of Ferguson. I’m not sure.

By: Cindy Scroggins

Cindy Scroggins — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:38:44 +0000

Buckner at Garland. I didn’t know there was another one–I’ll have to make a field trip.

By: Coop

Coop — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:07:01 +0000

This is right off the intersection of Loop 12 (Buckner) and Garland Rd.? Or is this the one near Gus Thomasson?

By: Sheila Ryan

Sheila Ryan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:55:40 +0000

Dang, babycat. I disremember. I was on drugs most times I dined (or lunched) at Dallas cafeterias in the seventies.

But I do recall the Highland Park Cafeteria (the original).

And I sure know Casa Linda.

I don’t remember Mr. J’s.

But I have actually lunched at the S & S Tea Room in The [Highland Park] Village.

Still and all, what I don’t remember — why, I could write a book.

By: Cindy Scroggins

Cindy Scroggins — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:35:22 +0000

Sure, hon–it’s a reincarnation of the grand old Highland Park Cafeteria, which went out of business around 15 years ago. This one is called Highland Park Cafeteria, but it’s in the Casa Linda section of East Dallas. It’s been around for about 30 years–originally as a second location of HPC, then as an independent cafeteria that just kept the old name.

There used to be a similarly geriatric cafeteria on Mockingbird Lane near SMU. I think it was called Mr. J’s. It had a real David Lynch feel to it. Come to think of it, I think it had a piano. Could that be the one?

By: Sheila Ryan

Sheila Ryan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:19:35 +0000

Cindypunkin, can you reveal the identity of the geriatric cafeteria? I just wonder if there is a chance it is the one I recall from that long ago night. (1970s Dallas: What a time. What a place.)

By: Cindy Scroggins

Cindy Scroggins — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:53:49 +0000

Frank Patrick, I’ve changed the wording of the sentence to clarify that it was Mia who displayed neither alarm nor curiosity. If you were reading the sentence that way and still don’t know what I’m talking about, I can only assume you are not acquainted with many young children!

Sheilababy, the prize for best description of a public performance of a piano or organ goes to my old pal, Bill Jennings, for making me pee my pants as he described the ancient woman somewhere in Kansas who played “She’s Having My Baby” on a spinning organ in the middle of a grocery store.

Rick–I knew you would.

By: Rick Neece

Rick Neece — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:28:50 +0000

just love it.

By: Sheila Ryan

Sheila Ryan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:42:15 +0000

Lord-a-mercy, Cindy. Could it have been the — was it a Wyatt’s Cafeteria?– where, back in the glitter rock days, a friend of a friend and I asked an old woman who was tickling the ivories if she would play “Surrey with the Fringe on Top”?

By: Frank Patrick

Frank Patrick — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:40:47 +0000

“alarm”?
“curiosity”?