Hey, there! Log in / Register
The last person you'd expect to see in the drive-thru at the Roslindale Burger King at 10:55 on a Sunday night
By adamg on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 7:53am
Spare Change Guy, the croaky-voiced sex offender who normally whirls around at Tremont and Winter in Downtown Crossing.
Yet, there he was last night, a couple cars behind us, as we waited for our food last night at the Washington Street Burger King. No, he wasn't in a car: He just walked up to the signboard and ordered a coffee. And then waited patiently in line.
Well, until the people inside the Burger King started having problems figuring out how to prepare food or something and the line just stopped moving. Then he came right up to our car (of course) and started to chat. Turns out his off-duty voice isn't quite as croaky as the one he uses to solicit funds. When I told him (rather stupidly), "Hey, you're Spare Change Guy," he turned on the croak and did a "Spare change?"
The guy behind us got out of his car to go up to the window to demand to know what the hell was going on. SCG started insulting him, told him to get back in his car. When we finally got to the counter, he tried scamming the manager out of the coffee. "I already paid!" he told him. Manager, who first told him he shouldn't order in the drive-thru unless he's in a car, got him his coffee, then just gave it to him, so he got to hold onto his two dollars (and his EBT card, which he showed me a couple times).
As for what we were doing at the Burger King at 10:55 p.m. on a Sunday, well, I'd taken the kidlet to the American Economic Association meeting at the Back Bay Sheraton for a session on "economics humor." Yes, that's a thing (one of the talks was by a bunch of economists all named Goodman, titled "A Few Goodmen"); more specifically, one of the speakers was Zach Weinersmith, who does one of her favorite Web comics. It ran from 8 until well past 10 p.m., she was hungry and there just aren't many places in JP or Roslindale to get something to eat late on a Sunday, unless you're feeling like Chinese, which she wasn't.
Neighborhoods:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
umm
OK then.
Jokes
Q: Why study economics?
A: So when you're in the unemployment line you'll know why you're there.
That sounds like an awesome conference, spare change afterparty aside.
Few things
1. Your description of spare change guy out of character makes me feel like I just peeked behind the curtain at a magic show.
2. Not at all surprised that he's pretty scammy.
3. That your kid would go to an American Economic Association meeting willingly and enjoy it, and understand that type of humor gives me hope for future generations, and for parenting in today's world.
4. NEVER feel like you have to explain a late night fast food run! (Though I suppose it saves you from some of the inevitable trolling in the comments).
That places scares me
Never been in that BK and after this story I probably never will.
Give him some credit
At least he's 'working' (hustling) on Sunday @ 10:55PM. Apparently the man isn't lazy.
Simco's isn't good enough for
Simco's isn't good enough for you , bubala ?
Simco burgers
How are thier burgers -- have only had their hot dogs....
Not sure Rosi Simco's is open that late on Sunday
But they do have pretty good burgers.
pro of BK is it's open late and you don't have to get out of your car. Not really any other options for super quick late night burger in the nearby area.
Otoh, if you are willing to sit down (not likely with kidlet that late - so most of what follows is useful for burger-craving-grownups sans kids), then many places in the area have burger options even late on a sunday - in JP there's Doyles, jame's gate, galways, even bela luna, all open late on sunday
In Rosi kellehers, napper tandy, and pleasant are open to at least midnight on sunday. Not sure if Naps kitchen is open that late though. Good burger plates though.
In hyde park both Cappys and Fairmont are open late sunday. Also don't know if kitchens are open that late.
And in WRox Porter cafe is open late every night. Also good burgers but pricely (did I mention it's WR?)
If you need to have a car to
If you need to have a car to buy food at a restaurant during certain hours, the restaurant should be required to operate a car-rental place next door.
The key here is "drive-thru"
I bet you're a lot of fun at a drive-in movie.
OH SPG!
You are a true Boston treasure.
FYI
That kooky fella is a registered sex offender.
That voice is an act?
Incomprehensible. What does he think he's getting from it other than revulsion?