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R Is for Regular


I first remember hearing the term "regular coffee" when I moved to New York City in 1975, and I didn't know what it meant. The definition I found gave the location for this description to New York City and Eastern Massachusetts (Boston). I'd lived in New England, including Western Massachusetts, but I don't remember the term being used there. I quickly learned it meant coffee with milk and one sugar.  
 

After my spinal surgery in 2012 I was slowly regaining the ability to walk, one block at a time. After the first couple of weeks I felt comfortable going out by myself and could walk two to three blocks slowly. I was also going stir-crazy from being indoors. My exercise for the day was to walk two and a half blocks -- there were benches along the way, if needed -- and get an iced coffee at Tal's Bagels. I'd bring my New York Times or a magazine and enjoy being out of my apartment. By the time I was ready to go back to work they knew my order. I was a "regular."

When I retired I did a more comprehensive sampling of my neighborhood's places for iced coffee. Excepting the big chains -- Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are within two blocks of my apartment -- I found I liked Tal's coffee the best. Tal remained my favorite. Is it great? No, but it is a very solid B.   



Sometimes -- often -- I got a bagel, too, and I think they have some of the best bagels in New York City. I love bagels -- sesame with butter -- and I'd love to do an A to Z of bagels, but I might need a new wardrobe when the month was finished. 

Tal's isn't fancy, at all. But it's a place where everyone knows my order and I'm happy to be a regular.

I'm off to Yorkville on the Upper East Side for the elusive Y. I hope to be back later for a discussion of Stumptown Coffee. Blogging is a tough life, isn't it!

So much coffee and so little time! Have a cup for me and enjoy your day.  


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13 comments

Denise said...

Never heard of regular coffee. My first thought was that it would not contain chicory.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I sure wish we had a good bagel shop. The best one we had went out of business and there's nothing else even close. Those bagels make my mouth water! Enjoy your week and your coffee! Eat a bagel for me! lol Hugs!

shortybear said...

I am not a coffee drinker, but you continue enjoying yours

TARYTERRE said...

Being a regular has it's advantages for sure. I loved your story about recovering from surgery. How you inched your way farther and farther from home. I had a similar experience when I had my knees operated on. It is liberating arriving someplace to sit for a few minutes. The bagels and coffee sound great at Tal's.

Anonymous said...

So you're a regular customer for the regular coffee! I had never heard the term to mean cream with one sugar. Interesting! Thanks for a other cuppa joe!

Mimi said...

You're so close to the end. That's a lot of coffee!

Unknown said...

I would have thought regular would have meant black!! I am so loving this trip through New Yorks coffee world!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Regular is good in all aspects.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I agree that being a regular does have it's advantages and certainly is a good thing. Hope your Tuesday is a terrific one!

Theresa said...

Oh dear, I love a bagel:) with a slice of home-grown tomato on it! Enjoy your day, regular is fine with me! HUGS!

Susie said...

Buttercup, Could or would tell us some of the prices of a cup of coffee there.?? I would love to live in NYC for a whole month and just walk around and see everything you see. After reading your post, I want a great cup of coffee. I wonder if my husband would drive a 100 miles just so I could get a cup at the Indy dinner theater...other than a cruise ship, it's the best I ever had...just black in a sleek mug(cup)..not a teacup but yet not a café mug either. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

BJ PUP said...

you're almost at the end. good job.

Jeanne Bryan Insalaco said...

Yes I've heard the term regular coffee; I order mine one sugar and light. I could never works making coffees - some people order their coffee in lots of ways. I'd never remember or want too! https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/category/2016-blogging-from-a-to-z-challenge/