The Best Town Ever

My hometown, the sylvan suburb known as Moorestown, NJ, today was named The Best Place to Live In All of America by Money magazine.

Um, it's wonderful, yes. But the best place in America?

I suppose it's impossible to look back fondly at a place where you were an unhappy teenager.

This article quotes people hanging out at Michael's Luncheonette, which I think is the sorta crappy joint across the street from the post office. If you were from out of town, you might think it was the kind of authentic slice of American regionalism that's been eradicated by the spread of chain restaurants. But if you were someone who grew up in Moorestown, you'd know that perception is incorrect-- that particular storefront has always been the sorta crappy joint across the street from the post office. It changes hands every few years; and most people in town are too stuck-up to go there.

Now, you want to talk about awesome hometown restaurants? Try The Cubby Hole, which has a really good egg and cheese sandwich, and is overrun with Quaker school kids at lunchtime. There's AMAZING pizza and tasty Italian food at Passariello's, the restaurant with the name that nobody ever pronounces quite properly. Try the broccoli pinwheel, it's excellent.

I always thought I'd grow up and move back to Moorestown. Now, I'm married to a guy who doesn't even like to leave the city for vacation. Apparently, I'm going to be living in downtown Philadelphia for the rest of my life.