Take-Out

Everyone has a favorite take-out restaurant.  Growing up in seventies Bend Oregon – ours was the China Ranch on south Hwy 97.  It was a dark, sketchy place where smoking was almost required.  We seldom went in.  Dad would just bring out bags of white cardboard boxes and suddenly the car smelled like heaven.  Back then every town in America had a Chinese/American restaurant.  I thought that meant you could get a hamburger in lieu of chow mien.  Turns out it’s more about blending authentic Chinese cuisine with traditional American influences and ingredients.

Fast forward to adulthood in Portland Oregon where east Sandy Blvd has a wide variety of take-out options ranging from pizza, Thai, bento, burgers, burritos and yes – Chinese food.  Every now and then we get a hankering for General Tso or Kung Pao and end up at Zien Hong.   We’re not restaurant connoisseurs so form your own opinions. We can agree however, that a cook taking a smoke break is a perfect metaphor for take-out. I took note of this scene upon leaving then suddenly the car smelled like heaven. 

  

16” x 20” Acrylic Medium on canvas.