We went to a new lunch place today. It looked like a classic hole in the wall -- limited seating, open kitchen, greasy grill standards on the menu: hot dogs, burgers, grilled sandwiches, etcetera.

But all the food came prepackaged from a bag. Chicken tenders? From a bag. Burgers? From a bag. Buns, fries, cheese sauce, hot dogs? Bag, bag, bag, bag! In the case of the hot dogs, they're kept warm on one of those rotating hot dog thingies. Hurray, salmonella!

Across the parking lot is a Culver's, which serves essentially the same food, but quicker, cleaner, and with an expanded menu that includes desserts, soups, and salads.

So, let's look at what's against Mr. Hole-in-the-Wall:

• No product differentiation (Culver's has nearly the same menu, and then some).
• No drive-through.
• Slow service.
• Pre-packaged food that tastes like a High School Football Concession Stand.
• Direct competition from an established and popular business.

How can you look at that list of strikes and not wonder what the hell the small business owner was thinking? At the very least, I expected them to be serving Vienna Beef products. That would have given me a differentiation reason to prefer them over Culver's. Serve up Chicago-style dogs? I'm there! But they don't! Golden opportunity! Gone!

Providing the place isn't just a front for a money launderer, I predict it lasts less than a year. And that makes me sad, because I can't help but think that this was someone's baby. Hopefully no houses were mortgaged in the making of this craphole.

Tis the season to revisit that really long article about the upheaval that WotC encountered and, ultimately, succumbed to. It's a long 'un, but a worthy read.

We had Jamaican last night. If you're in town and feeling irie, might I recommend De Palm Tree on Olive, next to Nobu? Everything we had was good, and the beer was very, very cold. Only drawbacks: the (too) loud music (at least it was good music) and the tiny seating area. They need to expand, so give them money!

Just a reminder: Simutronics is hiring 3D Programmers and 3D/2D Artists. No, really. Really, really, really. If you at all interested, or know someone who is, please, for the love of god, send in your goddamn application already. Thanks!

Oh, and I'm still insomnia plagued. Insomnia'd!