Tales from Susie’s Cozy Corner
Sausages, religion, and a side of hate from behind the counter
I. From Coal Mines to Culinary Delights
Susie’s sausages are the best.
While not a huge consumer of sausages, I do appreciate them, especially when juicy and plump and flavorful.
Susie’s is a cozy, casual, unassuming cafe in a Pocono hamlet, cash only, and open only for breakfast and lunch. Susie’s an energetic blonde — long hair-ponytailed — of middle age. Her Scranton accent reminds me fondly of my wife’s Irish clans.
Poor, Irish immigrants. Coal miners. Railroad workers. Mechanics. Tinkerers. Seeking opportunity and freedom.
II. Sizzling Symphonies
I love the banter between the cooks and the staff, the clanging of pots, and the frying on the grill with the steam, oil, and fire.
A few months ago, I asked Susie about her sausages. She gets that a lot, she said. Questions about sausages.
She laughed. “They’re just regular Hormel sausages.”
“Well, it must be the way you cook ‘em or treat ‘em or a special quality that be in ‘em!”
