I may have related this story before. Not actually all that pertinent to this topic, but forgive me, you don't have to read it.
Long ago, circa 1970, I was an active caver in the midwest, lived in Indiana, did lots of exploring in Kentucky and Tennessee. One year, senior in high school or freshman, around that time of my life, don't remember exactly. Went on a two week trip with a group of us, 8 all told. We had been out in the woods for about two weeks, living on that new fangled freeze dried stuff, some canned soups, and cut leaf chewing tobacco. Heading back home, we drive by a place, something like Mary's Kitchen, which was offering a $4.99 all you can eat family style lunch. We were craving real food. We stopped. We went in and got seated.
Now mind you this was a group of late teen, early 20s, active young men. The first batch of biscuits arrived in a basket lined with a red and white checkered cloth. About two hours later the last batch of biscuits arrived on the baking sheet and were just dumped on the tablecloth. I imagine the boys and I downed well over 100 biscuits during the course of that meal, Probably the most food I have ever eaten at one sitting.
Anyway, we finally get our fill of ham, fried chicken, green beans, corn, mashed taters and such. From where I was sitting at the table, I could see the kitchen staff poking their heads around the corner, in awe at the fact that we were still there, still eating.
So we go to settle the bill. Mary, the owner, says in her sweet Southern drawl " I do declah, I have nevah seen boys eat as much as all ya'll. I am afraid I am going to have to charge you 50 cent extra a person." Of course we gladly paid, and walked out fat and happy after leaving like an 80% tip. Quite the meal, and those made to order biscuits were superb.
mjb.
ps: As mentioned, probably the most I have ever eaten at one sitting. The most I ever ate in one day was April 1st, 1977, which is a long story for another day.
