In a bold move to attract the adventurous palates of a new generation, Russ’ signboard is now proudly advertising its “spicy” menu. I just drove by the chain’s location on 28th street near Breton.

The chain, famous for its Dutch-inspired fare like pig-in-the-blanket and meatloaf, dishes so mild they redefine the word “bland,” is reportedly adding a new twist: salt and pepper shakers on the tables. This daring step is aimed at reaching diners who crave the kind of excitement that only a dash of sodium and a hint of peppercorn can provide.

In related news, their commissary stumbled upon a pallet of unused salt and pepper shakers. Rather than let them collect dust, the ever-thrifty chain saw an opportunity to finally cater to those with, shall we say, a “distinguished” palate.

This has been a satirical lunchtime news break with Ben. There is really no point to this post…

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One lunch break, I posted this lighthearted satirical joking post about a local restaurant on social media, and the response surprised me. It got me thinking about what might happen if I opened up a little more—let people see beyond the surface. The quirks, the humor, even the sides I usually keep to myself. So I began writing daily on my lunch breaks, letting more of myself come through in each post. That’s what led to this project.