What constitutes a defining moment? Words simply do not provide these circumstances the justification they deserve, and can only be remembered at the crossroads of life's most precious moments. This past weekend I not only stood at the crossroads of a defining experience, I charged through it. And at that intersection there was a bar named Jack and Dan's Tavern. However, It was not simply "a counter across which alcoholic drinks or refreshments are served" (Webster, 2016) but rather an oasis from the desert of mediocrity that once characterized my nightlife experience. In order to properly encompass the quality and professionalism of such of an establishment, it is vital to contextualize the occurrence in the greater scope of my life.
There are very few things I value in life that supersede friendships. This past weekend I had the opportunity of reinvigorating the flames of friendship that had been dormant for over a decade. After traveling 200 miles from Montana, I was reunited with my long lost friend at his home in Spokane. After a tearful embrace and exchange of kind words, an emotion began to override the joy and euphoria of the moment, and that was simply not acceptable. That emotion was a momentous hunger. I shared my bodily necessity with my long lost friend, and he assured me he knew exactly what to do.
Finally, we arrived at Jack and Dan's Tavern and rushed through the door. Then, something incredible happened; a calm came upon me, and I realized, "This is truly the place where good friends meet." I was immediately greeted by the warm smiles of the bartender who could somehow sense my immense hunger and thirst, like a service-industry monk, asture in his faith. I was promptly handed a beer that was cold as the surrounding Cascade Mountains, and my mind was assured that I was exactly where I needed to be. I sat down and surveyed the menu and experienced one of the most difficult decisions a man can make in life. How does one pick from a plethora of delicious options that are presented on Jack and Dan's menu. Would I chose the mini-poppers, or the French Dip, or the Roast Beef and Chipotle Melt? I shared my problematic situation with my friend, and he confidently replied that I NEEDED to try the Reuben. There was something in his voice that told me I had to trust his recommendation, and I relinquished any sense of self-determination to the waiter and cooks.
After making a quick exhibition to the restroom, I returned to the table to see my food had already arrived. Not only had it arrived, but there was a metaphoric beam of light shining down on my food. This was not your conventional Reuben, but a redefinition of a American hot sandwich composed of corned beefed, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing grilled between two slices of rye bread. Ever since my first Reuben, I had been unsuccessfully chasing that high. The satisfaction experienced by this meal is cannot be described through text, so I am going to leave its description ambiguous to prompt a curiosity that will undoubtedly manifest into discovery. Needless to say, every single one of my expectations was not only met, but exceeded and my previous skepticism was but a silly memory.
The subsequent evening at Jack and Dan's consisted of more cold beers, and the growth of old friendships as well as the fostering of new ones. All of which would never had been possible outside the environment provided by Jack and Dan's. The service continued to be warm and prompt, and I could see through the laughter and pure ecstasy of the other patrons that my experience and satisfaction was not unique. It existed in the air, like carbon monoxide does, except instead of killing you it makes you more alive. We reluctantly left around midnight to pursue other ventures, but every succeeding bar was met with dissatisfaction. There was nothing fundamentally wrong with these bars, but after an experience with Jack and Dan's I could not help to feel a small pocket of emptiness in my soul. Sometimes when you reach the peak of any experience, it makes all past and future endeavors seem fruitless. I fear that I will never reach that level of fulfillment from any establishment henceforth...
Giving Jack and Dan's Tavern a 5-star rating is certainly deserving, however it is also an underwhelming representation of my experience there. I would like to conclude my review by presenting equivalent life experiences that most can commonly relate to. It was reliving my first summer love, spending the night in each other's arms under the stars, being lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves on the beach. Similarly, when the touch of your first love fills your body with a warm sensation that feels so new, yet familiar. It was like the moment you discover your passion and purpose in life, and everything becomes seemingly clear. Finally, Jack and Dan's is like that perfect sunset, shared by the most incredible friends, in the most beautiful of settings. read more