A very old article from The Grand Haven Tribune, A Little Bit More section . . . . . St. Fricanos I thought perhaps your faithful readers might enjoy a bit of humor to break up all the tragedy we must endure. This little essay is not meant to be sacrilegious. It is merely a salute of recognition of an establishment that has been a hallmark of distinction in our beloved Grand Haven. Im a retired advertising writer from St. Louis who having vacationed here several years in a row decided Grand Haven is the place to be. My only criticism is that we need to look at ourselves more with a sense of humor. Theres a restaurant in Grand Haven that is irrefutably unique by the standards of worldly dining establishments. Its been here for decades and no one has ever considered it to be a cult. Is it a cult or a religious conviction? What is the answer to the unusual and supernatural magnetic power that lies behind the walls of this extraordinary eatery? Members of the congregation assemble daily to attend the services. Irrespective of weather conditions, they stand in line outside its dreary unpainted gray walls, men, women, children, waiting to enter this hallowed hall. They come from all walks of life, the walks now are covered with ice and snow. Inside St. Fricanos parishioners sit at tables covered with ordinary red and white checkered tablecloths praying for the server to provide them tasty morsels of a cuisine thats uncontested by the competition. I found myself a helpless joiner of this mass attraction. I do not intend to be sacrilegious but I found myself genuflecting before sitting at the bar. In the open sacristy several elders prepare the feast sliding delectable discs of appetizing pizzas smartly into super-heated ovens causing a delightful oregano flavored aroma. I open my jacket in hopes the fragrance will stay with me. There is no menu although years ago they listed a variety of savorful toppings on a paper place-mat. They ran out and never replaced them. As my eyes scan the faces amongst the flock in attendance, there is an air of complete bliss and contentedness. Each piece of pizza placed before them brings unto them a feeling of TOTAL PEACE. Paper plates are used in lieu of noisy dishes that would disturb the peace. And when the server approaches each table with basket (cash only, no credit cards or personal checks) the tithes are given with a marked absence of fuss. I asked the bartender Douglas, a third generation Fricanoain, why there is no drive-in facility for take-home members of the congregation? His reply told me that St. Fricanos was a family oriented commisionary and everyone will benefit by coming inside to a world of good fellowship, friends and neighbors, sip a libation and feel the omnipotent spirit of mozzarella. I guess its an old Italian custom. What a blessing, my take-out order arrived. I again genuflected and left carrying my package of goodness. A yellow beam of light hovered over the box of pizza and I thought it was a superficial halo christening the contents. Later I found out I left my pen light on. Is St. Fricanos a cult or a commune or an unexplained metaphysical miracle? My answer to this is from the lesson I was taught...BLESSED ARE THE CONSUMERS OF ST. FRICANOS...BECAUSE THEY SHALL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF HEARTBURN!. Harry Honig Spring Lake
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 13:00:01 +0000
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