Blue Plate Special

For those unfamiliar with the term, “blue plate special,” it’s simply an old-fashioned name for what most restaurants today call their “daily specials.” Dating back to the late 1800s, the concept was first introduced on the menu of a chain of eateries built at train stations to quickly serve the traveling public. In those early days, the restaurant chain ordered all of their dishes from a single manufacturer that promised, in their words, “plates can be ordered in any color — as long as it is blue.” Thus inspired, the “blue plate special” was born!

I don’t know if a certain modern-day menu item was inspired by a misguided interpretation of Jesus’ words, “Man shall not live on bread alone,” but it certainly falls into the “special” category. I am referring to a recent announcement from a national fast-food chain which introduced a gargantuan new addition to their menu called, (now get this), “The Most American Thickburger.” How’s that for a special name? According to…