German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
believed that having a purpose in life gives us the strength to endure its
difficulties. His words are often associated with overcoming hardship, but they
apply just as well to the ordinary routines that give our lives meaning.
We spend years showing up, doing our jobs,
raising families, and building friendships, often without realizing how much
those everyday experiences become part of who we are. Sometimes it isn't until
a chapter closes that we recognize just how much it meant to us.
Today is National French Dip Day, which
brings back a particularly good memory from my years working on the trading
floor at the Chicago Board of Trade.
The best French dip sandwich I ever had was
served at two places. The Brokers Inn, next to the Board of Trade, and Ceres
Café, located in the lobby of the exchange.
The same Greek guy owned both
establishments, who we affectionately called Uncle Lou. Naturally, both
kitchens served the same magnificent sandwich.
It started with a sturdy French loaf,
substantial enough to absorb the beautifully seasoned au jus without losing its
integrity. The beef came in thick slices, carved from a brisket with a crisp
exterior and tender, flavorful meat underneath.
But the real magic was in the au jus.
It arrived in a bowl large enough to
accommodate the entire business end of the sandwich. My method was simple and
never varied. Dip the sandwich, hold it submerged for five seconds, lift it
out, and take a bite.
Five seconds. No more, no less.
Served alongside a generous helping of
French fries, it was a sandwich that never disappointed. Through the years, the
changing markets, the good days and the bad ones, Uncle Lou's French dip
remained remarkably consistent.
There was something comforting about that
sandwich.
I haven't had one since the trading floor
closed, and despite the years that have passed, I have yet to find a worthy
replacement.
Maybe I never will.
Then again, perhaps what made that sandwich
so special wasn't entirely the beef, the bread, or even that wonderful au jus.
Maybe it was where I was, the people around
me, and a time in my life when a five-second dip was all I needed to make a
good day even better.
We have a November Thursday gifted to us
this morning Chalkheads. Go get a French Dip, dip it five seconds, and put a
smile on your sun…
