Do ones favorite hole in the wall type places make themselves known immediately, or just grow on you? When do you know?

There’s this bagel shop we frequent because we have weekly appointments at the place right next door. It’s the definition of peace. What looks like a menu created in the 70’s, well over 30 difference sandwiches/bagels, and the couple behind the counter look like they’ve married and worked together happily for the last 30 years. To top it off the wall has a map of Silicon Valley… produced in the early 00’s. So only a few years old yes, yes.

Here’s the thing, I don’t even like bagels. Nor bagel sandwiches. I guess I do like cream bagels, but that’s more the cream probably. They’re tough, tasteless, filled with empty carbs, and way too thick to use as a sandwich. Remind me what was the point again with these? It wouldn’t surprise me if whoever invented this felt deeply ashamed disappointed in themselves.

Yet over the course of a year or two… I somehow now find myself starting to look forward to the place. The peaceful predictability, the cozy interior, the outdated decor. The barely comfortable bar seats, that old map on the wall. The box of toy cars…. yes the plastic slightly heavy toy cars every boy played with as a kid. Also the prices are cheap. Like best deal in the bay area cheap. Ten bucks say the couple owns the-

So here I am, munching away happily away at bagel menu number 17c… I think. It’s the classic salmon with cream cheese. It tastes exactly like how I expected it to, the coffee tastes exactly like I expected to, the cheerful aforementioned elderly couple working as usual, always a few people in a line, no doubt enjoying it just like me. Is my subconscious yearning for peace having long dealt with rewarding but also at times chaotic workplace dynamics?

Yeah I guess I’m a regular now and its my favorite place, I just didn’t know it, or want to admit it.