Good times at Ernie’s Pizza

I don’t know why Pat didn’t refer you to contact me about my decades-long experience with Ernie’s Pizza Restaurant. Pat has a heart, a sense of humor and great skill in making me my special veggie-laden pizzas.

To start with one day when our five children were involved in a very noisy conflict I shouted, “You may choose peace or you may choose conflict.” Our hearingimpaired daughter said, “I’ll have pizza.” Her answer and the laughter eliminated the conflict.

I have tried to get Pat to change the name from Ernie’s to Bernie’s, my name, but have not gotten very far. When I call Ernie’s and someone answers I say, “I want to order Chinese food.” The person who answers usually doesn’t know what to tell me when they explain they do pizzas. Then

I tell them I am kidding. After many years when I do this now they say, “Yes, Dr. Siegel what do you want to order?”

When I arrive to pick up my pizza I go to the counter and ask if my Chinese food is ready and again I get that look.

However, one night when I asked if my Chinese food was ready they said, “Of course.” and put several small cardboard containers used by Chinese restaurants for take-out orders.

The most significant get-even event by Pat, one evening, was my getting a check for a meal of five family members for around $125.

The arithmetic was fine but the amount made no sense. I took it back to Pat by the work area and showed it to him and he burst out laughing and explained our daughter and he had created a false bill to get even with me for all the trouble I cause people with my childlike and crazy behavior.

I feel good just walking into Ernie’s Pizza Place knowing I will leave with a smile and many new and confused employees as I ask for my Chinese food while Pat smiles in the background by the oven.

God bless Ernie’s Pizzeria.

Bernie Siegel Woodbridge