This post documents my experience on June 23, 2012.
Not only is the historic city of Bedford the birthplace of Archibald Willard, painter of the The Spirit of ’76 (he later lived and died in Wellington)…
…it has a jewelry shop that sells local pasta sauce…
…a Gionino’s Pizzeria branch right across the street…
…and an annual Italian American Brotherhood Festival.
With the previously mentioned things, I would have thought that an Italian festival in Bedford would have carried a particular charm.
But, unfortunately, I have to say that I was more entertained by the jewelry shop than I was the festival itself.
With only two games…
…two inflatables (the other was blown up later)…
…three vendors…
…an alcohol truck (American beer, Peroni and mixed drinks)…
…and a gazebo with speakers…
…the only thing that could have saved the festival was the food.
Amongst the gyros, funnel cakes, and lemonade…
…there were two Italian food booths…
…and Corbo‘s had a better selection of cookies, meatballs and pasta.
When I saw the meatball sub sign, my stomach growled and I thought it would end the festival on a happy note.
But, when I asked the price beforehand, I was surprised to be told it was $6.50 .
So I asked how many meatballs came in this $6.50 sub and the clerk responded “2.”
I looked back up at the sign’s images of 3-meatballed subs, knowing full well they wouldn’t taste anything like Grandma’s meatballs…
…and decided to take inspiration from famous Italian American Frank Sinatra…
…and do lunch my way.*
That’s right – a gyro with jalapenos!