Flashback Friday Moment of The Week: 12/18/2015

by Just Juan
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Earlier today, I finally got a chance to stop in on the Twin Peaks in The Shoppes at Eastchase in Montgomery. I asked the waitress what was the best burger they had on the menu and she mentioned the Billionaire’s Bacon Burger. She noted that it had some really thick bacon, sriracha pimento cheese and all of the other fixings typical of a quality burger. She was very specific in outlining the size of the beef patty in comparison to other selections on the menu. She said “it’s a man’s burger and you, sir, are a man”. I felt that in my soul and ordered the burger. It was good. The whole “it’s a man’s burger” thing was a laughable moment and I thought about a moment from my 2011 homecoming visit to Tokyo. That brings me to this week’s moment in the Flashback Friday series: the “girl’s only” burger from Teddy’s Bigger Burgers.

How I first came across this moment? During my September 2011 homecoming visit to Tokyo, my main focus was to seek some reprieve from a failed relationship and the Long Hot Summer of 2011 that ensued as a result. I was also there to present the 1st Just Juan Building Block Scholarship. But the crown jewel of the month-long visit was getting comfortable with “my city”, which I hadn’t stepped foot in since leaving the year before. While hanging out with my friends who were still stationed there, we ventured down to the Shibuya-Harajuku-Omotesandō Hills area for shopping and hanging out. Initially, we were going to go to Barbacoa but ultimately decided on a spot in Harajuku since we had kids with us. That spot was Teddy’s Bigger Burgers. It had a bit of a Hawaiian flair to it. We all ordered and one of the first things I noticed was a poster in the window, promoting a new slider burger combo that was only for women. I was intrigued.

What it meant to me then? In the moment, I was surprised and not surprised at the same time. I was not surprised because Tokyo is one of the few places on earth where I saw things that were specifically outlined to be for women only. I saw it all of the time on the train system in the morning rush hour. The first car on any train was always designated for women and children only. I was a bit surprised to see this in a restaurant though. I actually inquired and the server did indeed confirm that not only was the combo meal for women only, it was also only available Monday through Friday.

What it means to me now? That was 4 years ago. That whole women only burger combo deal didn’t have a long shelf life. When I returned to Tokyo during my assignment in South Korea, I stopped through Teddy’s a couple of times and the slider combo was available to everybody, every day. I don’t think too much of it these days. It just happened to come across my mind today based on what the waitress said at Twin Peaks.

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