Though I haven't eaten here--I've had an experience…read more
The heat wave that had been picking on the Upper Snake River Plain was taking a break, allowing us to travel out of town to visit Hugos Downtown Bakery and Deli in Blackfoot.
We hadn't ever been to Hugos, so we drove along BF's Bridge Street looking ahead for it.
We spotted its big cube-looking building on the corner, pretty easily.
As we aren't familiar with ANYWHERE in Idaho other than our hometown (originally from out of state), parking is always a challenge--we swung into the first park lot on the side of a building--a block away.
Though the weather had loosened its grip, the sun was still bright and beaming down heat--thank goodness a cool breeze made the walk pleasant.
That walk was the last 'pleasant' we'd experience for a bit.
As if it had forgotten to leave Hugos' alone, the inside was reminiscent of the heat wave--uncomfortably hot and humid.
My other half and I gave each other a glance, filled with unspoken
communication-- "We're taking it to go."
I mean, we were both looking forward to crossing this place off of our 'We've not tried,' but the temp was unbearable to us-can't believe someone was working a kitchen in there.
It was pretty bland inside, with a very minimal amount of seating, which seems intended to be a wait for your to-go-order area.
The rest of Hugos appeared to be kitchen, ovens and a counter--expected I guess for a bakery.
We hadn't even looked at the boards that were scattered around as the menu yet, before heading straight to the counter to inquire if there was a nearby park for us to eat at.
Two women were working beyond the counter at an oven. Truly, one older but not elderly woman (younger than me, older than 35) was hustling, while the 20-something stood talking to her.
We stood there for at least three minutes, while the younger woman glanced at us a few times. To be fair, she eventually picked up something and put it on a lower shelf, while greeting us in her tongue.
I responded "Hi." She came over to the order counter speaking rapidly and practically sighing while doing so.
I started to ask the question, "It's pretty hot in here, too hot for us, is--" but was cut off by her tossing her head to say something in the other woman's direction.
The other woman, while quickly working, called out to me "tell me what you want, so I can tell her."
I directed my question to the older lady, who was very nice.
First, she apologetically informed me that their air conditioning was down, and they were starting the ovens "So it's only going to get hotter in here."
She had a look of agreeance on her face like she also was not enjoying the heat.
She asked me where we were parked (in order to give accurate directions due to one-way streets), before giving me directions to the nearest park.
She was very nice, and seemed as if she genuinely appreciated the patronage.
The younger girl, on the other hand, who I can only suppose is visiting an aunt?, during summer-break, maybe (she is high school or college age), had been impatient, and acted as if we were not welcome because she needed a translator.
So, I genuinely and politely thanked the woman for the directions, before turning to my other half "What do you want to do," flat and definitively she responded "Leave."
We won't be going back.
3* for the nice, hardworking lady.