Yesterday Jeff, Jade and I headed down to Kiwanis Park for Little League tryout. Jade wanted to upgrade out of T-ball and into the big leagues (well, the little big leagues or is it the big little leagues?). Alright, I’m just going to say it: I’m not into sports. I’ve tried in the past and I just don’t get it. When I was a kid I played Left Out in softball (although I did still get the trophy). I’m in awe of people with coordination. It all just seems to happen so fast.

While watching the tryouts all I could think about was the cooler that I would be bringing to games and whether Popsicles or lemonade would be more refreshing on a hot summer day. I intend to maximize my strengths and get comfy in the stands while providing refreshments.

When it was Jade’s turn, he hit the ball and ran around the diamond, somehow managing to miss every single base. And still my heart was bursting with pride.

We got the news that he was drafted onto a team. I’m not sure who was more excited – Jade because he made the team or me because my athletic genes had mercifully skipped a generation.

We decided to celebrate and headed out to Jason’s Deli for dinner. There is nothing like a good deli, and Jason’s has an extensive menu. And, some of it is organic, like the salad bar.

It was chilly that afternoon so we all started with soup. My personal favorite is the roasted poblano corn chowder. Jade ordered that one too, but he found it too spicy. Which meant I got two cups. Score.

Jeff went with the seafood gumbo, which was also spicy. Jade’s replacement soup was the Irish potato. Not spicy, and loaded with bacon and cheese, with a cream base and veggies thrown in. I got the extra cup of corn chowder and a few bites of the Irish potato. It was a win-win.

Jeff ordered the New York Yankee (appropriately named I thought), which is corned beef and pastrami with swiss on rye. It was so good I offered to trade him my BLT for it, but he was smart enough to refuse. This thing is loaded with pastrami. One of those sandwiches where you have to decide if you’re willing to unhinge your jaw in public. We went for it.

I hope someday to work my way through Jason’s menu. They have Po’boys and Paninis and everything seems to come with a pickle. Pickles are the unsung heroes of sides. A good pickle beats potato chips any day. Of course at Jason’s you get a pickle and chips, so the whole issue is a moot point, but I have to put in a shout out to pickles anyway.

Afterward we walked around the corner to Rita’s Ice Custard Happiness. That place needs its own column so I won’t go into it here. But you should definitely go into it and get the custard. They aren’t lying about the happiness part.

So all in all, it was a pretty thrilling day. Genetics, soup and pastrami. What a combination. Jason’s Deli is located at 1091 Hamilton St., Johnson City.

For more informaiton, call 423-467-3354 or visit their Web site at www.jasonsdeli.com

Author