Nancy and I like to stop at out-of-the-way places for meals. On a Sunday morning in early June we found ourselves in Ames, Iowa, looking for a breakfast place. We found on her phone: "Breakfast and Chinese Cuisine."
Sounded interesting. We walked in and the entire place was empty except for the owner and his wife. He welcomed us and we ordered -- no Chinese food just omelets. The food was good and the owner was in a very talkative mood. Seems he had owned the place, just off the Iowa State University campus, for 28 years. But most of the block was being sold and developed into retail and housing. His last day of business was June 15.
We found out he was from Indonesia and traveled back there for weddings and funerals. He shared a lot about his life and we listened intently while we ate our breakfast. He came and went several times, telling us more about his life and his family. On one return visit to our table, he asked us if we drank alcohol?
I said, yes, we do. He then asked us if we like apple pie? I said, yes.
He then disappeared behind the bar and returned with two shot glasses. He informed us this was his homemade alcohol drink. He "distilled" it by boiling down Everclear and adding apple pie spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice.
Not wanting to offend, we took a sip. Wow! The "moonshine" tasted just like apple pie! I finished mine in a few sips and then finished Nancy's. Very good stuff.
He asked for no payment but we left him a good tip!
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