Scarcity

We all take a moment to look through the menu, even though I think every one of us knows what we’re ordering. This restaurant is known for its red meat. Sarah, my roommate, doesn’t eat meat other than chicken, and she’s already convinced her ex-roommate who’s visiting to go splitsies with the chicken piccata and some sort of pasta. But the other two of us that do eat red meat and are not sharing with a quasi-vegetarian have already talked about getting the burger and the steak frites.

But then I realize that there are two burgers on the menu.

One is a classic.

The other is a ‘dry-rubbed’ double smashed patty with raclette cheese and calabrian chili and pickled red onions. Kinda crazy. Underneath it says ‘10 per day’.

I think about it. Honestly, despite the whole ‘10 per day’ situation, I think I’m leaning towards the classic. It’s what I had mentally been prepping myself for basically all day. But, ever the conversationalist, I decide to bring the conundrum to the table.

“Larkin, you aren’t gonna be able to get the dry rub,” Sarah says matter-of-factly. “They only serve 10 a day!”

“Wait wait wait, I don’t think that’s the case,” I say. “I think they put a limit on it. Like if you were ordering from here and having a bunch of people over or whatever, you could get max 10.”

“I do not think that’s the case… in fact I am pretty positive.”

Madi then makes a good point: “If they only serve 10 total a day, I doubt that you’ll be able to get one regardless. It’s almost 8pm!”

“So true, but what if everyone thinks that and then no one orders it because they think they’re out!” Sarah points out. “You should still try. It’s what they’re known for.”

The server comes around. Sarah goes first - chicken picatta. Then it’s my turn. “Soooo what’s the deal with this dry-rub burger.”

The server raises a brow. “I actually think there’s one more left…”

My jaw drops. Not only was I wrong, but they only have ONE more?! Scarcity mindset clicks in.

“Well, then, I have to have it!!”

She laughs. “Okay, if I’m wrong, what would you like?”

“Regular burger, medium.”

“You’ve got it.”

She comes back a couple minutes later. “You’re in luck… last dry-rub coming up!”

I take the next 10 minutes to prepare myself for raclette cheese and calabrian chili and pickled red onions. When the burger comes, I’ve gotta say, it might be the scarcity mindset, but it was one of the best I’ve ever had.