The Popcorn Stand: It’s never too crowded to eat outside

Those who choose to read this Popcorn Stand know I will use any excuse I can to rehash my favorite subjects. Like memorable comments from Yogi Berra. One time when New York Yankees teammate Whitey Ford asked Berra out to this particular restaurant, Berra replied “Oh nobody goes there any more, it’s too crowded.”

Well it shouldn’t be too crowded to eat outdoors on Monday. Of course during this COVID-19 pandemic eating outdoors at a favorite establishments have become somewhat of a regular occurrence for all of us.

And even though some of these places can be crowded at times we still go to our favorite establishments and wait even if “they are too crowded and nobody goes there any more.”

And of course we can choose to eat outdoors any day of the week. But Monday, August 31 is Eat Outside Day.

Now granted, the original genesis of Eat Outside Day didn’t have restaurants in mind although certainly there have always been establishments that provide outside dining. The idea for Eat Outside Day was more about grilling outside and having a backyard picnic or eating at a park.

And I’m sure Eat Outside Day didn’t have this in mind as referenced by Marisa Servantes, who has Down Syndrome but is as sharp as a whip. “Are we going on a real picnic or a Charles picnic?” A

Charles picnic is when we just pick up Subway on the way to the park.

I’m sure those who came up with Eat Outside Day didn’t have Subway in mind but would approve nevertheless.

But now Eat Outside Day has more meaning than ever as it gives us just one more chance to help out our local establishments during this COVID-19 crisis. There have been restaurants in Porterville who have the space that have been offering outdoor dining.

And the City of Porterville is working with other restaurants like those located on Main Street and downtown who don’t have as much outdoor space to provide them a chance to offer outdoor dining. The city is issuing permits to restaurants with limited space, giving them a chance to offer outdoor dining as well.

So on Monday — but any day really — would be a good time to find a local restaurant that provides outdoor dining and frequent that establishment. Even if it may be “too crowded and nobody goes there.”

Monday’s temperature shouldn’t be completely unbearable as it will hover around 100 degrees. But at least it won’t be a 110.

And hopefully with a little breeze, an evening of dining “out” may just be quite comfortable on Monday.

So when it comes to dining outside, it’s never too crowded.