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One of the first things I noticed when I moved back to the Fresno area seven or eight years ago was cashiers and baristas who would ask me things like “So, what have you got going on today?” or “Any big plans for the weekend?”
I was always taken aback for a beat, not used to a conversation that required introspection first thing in the morning. I’m more used to it now so it doesn’t throw me off as much (and seems more common everywhere), but it still bothers me a little.
Did I turn into a closed off cityboy in my years away, unused to downhome friendliness, or is it more not wanting to be goaded into thinking about something that involves planning for the future, which I hate? Or is it something else? Like, the fact that Trader Joe’s cashiers always ask about or compliment a thing I’m buying leads me to believe that it’s not exactly genuine. (They all swear that they’re not trained to flirt, though that’s kind of a different thing).
There is a sense of certain businesses these days abusing the social contract. Have you ever had one of those door-to-door solar salespeople (usually men) trap you in conversation? They pepper you with personal questions for what feels like a lifetime until you just want to scream “Dude, can you just tell me what you’re selling already??”
I guess it’s that corporate-mandated friendliness (also manifesting as AI chatbots that flatter and agree no matter what you say) is making it harder to recognize the genuine article. All of which has made me appreciate efficient customer service delivered at an arch remove. I love people who seem like they have more important business than blowing smoke up my ass. Am I crazy?
Anyway, spring has sprung, summer looms. We’ve done our best to curate some warm weather eats and springy recipes. Enjoy! Tell a friend! Spread the gospel of FAT City far and wide.
— Vince Mancini, Contributing Editor, Food
This week’s local food news
What’s the most expensive meal in Fresno? The Bee sets out to answer this question, sort of. Let’s be honest though, any meal can be fabulously expensive if you drink enough expensive booze with it. Boiled potato and a shot of Pappy Van Winkle 23, $1200. [Fresno Bee]
Paris Baguette is coming to Clovis. The new location will be at Shaw and Leonard, opening August or September. I tried the baguette for our baguette ranking and it wasn’t great, though it’s clearly not the signature item. Maybe they should call it Paris Pastry? Also it’s Korean. [ABC30]
The Bee has your write-up of Teriyaki Time. The fast-casual on Clovis and Shaw specializes in 48-hour marinated grilled chicken and lightly battered fried chicken. “Its platters of teriyaki chicken and fried chicken have been drawing praise from children and adults for their flavors and textures.” Great, I too, as a hyooman, enjoy both flavors and textures. [Fresno Bee]
Tulare is getting a Chick Fil-A. Chick Fil-A is sliiiightly above average for fast food, but waiting more than 10 minutes for it is lunacy, in this writer’s opinion. [Business Journal]
Visalia is losing its Hummus Republic. The Tulare County restaurant gods giveth and taketh away. That brings the national chain’s franchises down to 40, from a peak of 47 last year, with 10 in California. I did visit there for our shawarma ranking. It was better than I expected from the infantilizing branding, but Mayd Modern also does a similar thing much better. [Business Journal]
Experts choose the top five fishing spots near Fresno. Do you like fishing? I like fishing, but unfortunately I hate messing with fishing gear, which makes up approximately 97% of fishing. [Fresno Bee]
— Vince Mancini, Contributing Editor, Food
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