I took Emma for a haircut this past weekend to get ready for school. While we were there, I saw that the grocery store next door was setting up a large black tent outside. I'm always one for a free giveaway - hey, maybe it's a sample!, I thought to myself - I am so easily swayed - and so I decided that we'd check it out once she was properly shorn and coiffed.
The air smelled good enough to bite and we lost no time in heading to the Big Black Tent, which turned out to be a display of the store brand steak. i know, STEAK. It was about 397 bajillion degrees outside and I felt awful for the man slaving over the grill, but he was polite and friendly and offered to hook us up with a sample of steak - if we wanted. IF WE WANTED. Oh, hai, my stomach and greed. Steak and my stomach are very good, if infrequent buddies and I couldn't wait.
I've had plenty of samples in my life, but when the top was whisked from he serving dish, I literally gasped. The "samples" were 3 or 4 inch hunks. On toothpicks. More than a mouthful, a couple of these babies could have made a meal. I scooped up my sample and looked at Emma, who hung back behind me. I pushed her forward.
"Go on, get a piece of steak, Emma," I hissed. Se shook her head no. "I don't like steak," she whispered.
I know, right? She doesn't LIKE steak.
It was delicious and cooked to a perfect medium and seasoned with Montreal Steak seasoning, my very favorite. I told her to grab a piece anyway - hey, I'm not too proud. I nodded at the guy and smiled, hoping against hope that I didn't have pepper flakes between my teeth. "She's only 7, she can't remember if she likes it or not," I lied through my teeth and he laughed. We walked away and she asked, "Mommy, why did you take it? I don't like it!"
"But I do," I said and I began to nibble on the sample. Hmmm, two more of these and I could count it as my lunch, I thought. I pondered how to accomplish this as I went into the store to buy a gallon of milk. I toyed with using a disguise - the steak REALLY was that good, and I had my husband's SHOES OF INFAMY in the car- if I stuck those on, the ugliness of the shoes would be a distraction and I could get more steak. I decided against it. On our way out, we were greeted by the server, who offered us more meat. "We already had some," I said, even as my stomach rumbled and I wished I wasn't such a goody two shoes. "Take some more, we've got plenty!" he assured me. Alrighty, then - you don't have to tell me twice.
This time I was prepared and didn't take one for Emma, who then tugged on my arm. "Mommy! Get one for me!" Blushing furiously, I grabbed one for her and made a mental note to never, EVER try to beat the system again. I was shocked beyond belief, though, when she took the steak from me and bit off a teeny bit. She looked at me and said, "I wanted to try it. You said it was so good, and it IS!" She gobbled it up as quick as she could,pronounced it chewy, and asked me if she could put on a disguise and go get another piece.
It appears I have an accomplice in sneakery.
That was a hilarious story, C! I have taken samples for myself and my *then* toothless baby at Costco... Hehehe..you can almost make a meal out of them on a good Saturday. ;)
Posted by: Sabz | August 28, 2009 at 12:37 AM
I just sampled my way through Costco this morning!
Posted by: Headless Mom | August 28, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Thanks for the entertaining post.
Posted by: Debby Pucci | August 28, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I wish MY grocery store would give out steak samples! However, they do sometimes have UNSUPERVISED stations with samples of various exotic cheese spreads and crackers, and I may or may not sometimes make several trips by them :)
Emma sounds like a girl after my own heart, too.
Posted by: Megan | August 28, 2009 at 10:20 AM
LOL!!!!! this reminds me of when i take my dairy-allergic son trick-or-treating and have him get treats from the house that gives full-sized bars! He says, "but I can't have that" and I shush him and coach him on which one to take!
Posted by: MelissaS | August 28, 2009 at 11:17 AM
That is too funny.
To bad it's not Halloween. You could do the sheet/ghost trick. :)
Posted by: Issa | August 28, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Too funny! I love the disguise question!
Posted by: angie | August 28, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Ha, ha! I love my red meat. So glad your daughter converted!
Posted by: Young Wife | August 28, 2009 at 04:43 PM
You made me giggle with your post. My Son doesn't like steak, either. Strange boy. *G* My kids eat their way through Sam's on my grocery shopping trips. *G*
Posted by: Brandy | August 28, 2009 at 05:11 PM
I love it! That was a great post!
Posted by: Vicky | August 28, 2009 at 07:14 PM
My own 7 year old daughter would have knocked you over and sold a sibling for that steak. She is mad for steak. She would have shamelessly eaten as much as was offered, and she would have eaten all of mine! Great little story -- thank you.
-- another mom of 5
Posted by: Monica | August 28, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Now that is a unique way of getting your kids to try something new. Bryant is taster and always will find some excuse to go with me to Costco on Saturdays, he disappears and is suddenly full when we get home LOL
Posted by: Jessica | August 30, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Oh....Steak samples! the holy grail of samples, and you scored! Not once, not twice, but THREE samples. Good for you.
Posted by: Paige | August 30, 2009 at 07:19 PM