I’m hiding my head in shame today.  I’m having a hard time looking anyone in the eyes today because I haven’t completely come to terms with a recent event.  While it is nothing life shattering, I feel as though I have done a disservice to my family and will lose all credibility in the eyes of the public.  But the first steps to recovery are admitting your problem and to accept responsibility.  So here goes…I went to Bennigan’s…and actually enjoyed the meal.  *cringe*

Now, I don’t think there has been anyone who has bashed Bennigan’s more in recent years than I have.  From the time they served me moldy (yes, moldy!) food to the time they served my entree ice cold to the time they ran out of practically everything on the menu, I have had my fair share of misadventures at the good ole Bennigan’s.  These misadventures resulted in me boycotting the Springfield Mall establishment for the past 3 years.

However, since my friends and I have grown weary of the few Health Department-approved restaurants in Springfield, we decided to give it one more chance after all these years.  I had recently ended my boycott of Friday’s recently with pretty positive results, so I figured I be adventurous again.  I was expecting the very worst, but ended up getting a pretty decent meal at a very good price.  Gone were the crackhead hostess and her crackhead boyfriend waiter.  Gone was the green chicken.  Gone were the cold fries.   Now, it’s not going to win any awards, but the meal was satisfying, something I haven’t been able to say about a Bennigan’s meal in quite some time.  I felt extreme guilt after I was done with the meal…a comparable guilt to when I pull for fantasy players to do well against my teams.

So, today, I sit here at a crossroad.  Do I let one positive experience overturn years of systemic punishment by Bennigan’s?  Or do I continue to hold my grudge?  Life seemed to make a little more sense when I hated the place and now that there is this fond experience in the back of my mind, my world has turned upside down.  I think I’m going to continue my boycott of Bennigan’s.  I should feel no shame when dining out and because of this, I think I’m making the right decision.  And with this decision, I feel like I’m getting my honor back and that I, once again, can hold my head up with pride and dignity.