When my very not-American boyfriend wanted to have one of his last meals at Mission BBQ before he went home on vacation, I could not say no. I think the look on my face when I agreed was amusement: if a restaurant could be a caricature of a certain type of American, this place is a patriotic Kansas Citian.
I had brisket, he had pulled pork. The food was really good. The service is good. We wrapped up literally 5 minutes before noon, and chatted a bit while we prepared to get in the going-to-the-airport mindset...and then something weird happened: apparently at noon each day, Mission BBQ plays the national anthem, and you're expected to stand, salute the flag projected on one of multiple monitors, and sing along.
I am American. I personally think the national anthem is a beautifully-composed but maudlin song. I have no problem saluting the flag, but I'm not the best singer and usually just mouth the words and let others do the work of singing. However, this was awkward and more than a little creepy: in the middle of a restaurant? Really??
Context matters. At the Olympic games after your countrywoman or countryman medals...totally makes sense. But not a restaurant. The level of discomfort I felt reminded me of being forced to pledge allegiance to the flag before school each day in grade school. First, it's creepy when it dawns on you that each school day began with a vow to your country, which you no doubt did not understand at age 5. Second, like NO ONE felt like standing up and talking at 8 in the morning, after you got up from restful sleep to shower, dress, eat breakfast, and take a half hour bus ride into school. Back then, kids weren't drinking coffee like they do today, so you couldn't even use that to give you a little kick so that you could function. I recall hating this moment everyday. So yeah, same feelings of wtf.
And that's just how I was feeling. My boyfriend was also very uncomfortable. Fortunately, we were done and left immediately after.
Although this was a good kick off to some interesting dialogue about weird American habits on the drive to the airport, this is not an experience I will repeat. In fact, be forewarned: if you are not uber-patriotic, avoid this place at noon each day. I get that this is part of the entire Mission BBQ theme, but I wouldn't recommend taking a non-American companion at noon unless you want to expose them to a bit of spectacle and feelings of awkwardness.
Everyone is different, though: if you love random displays of patriotism and nationalism, gaze upon the heavily-decorated walls, come around noon everyday, and salute to your hearts content. Although I'm sure even the most patriotic Kansas Citians aren't getting up from their BBQ mid-meal to sing the national anthem. read more