Many criticize the cheap and possibly unsanitary ways of the once well renowned Fry's Spring Cafe, but they don't understand the pure nostalgia and love that it is filled with, nor have they lived practically their entire life inside it's swinging screen doors. Fry's Spring Beach club, founded over 100 years ago used to be a private country club right by the University for the most elite of Charlottesville. It's now-vintage 50's ballroom and carpeted sunrooms with now-cobwebbed chandeliers dangling over now-dusty hardwood halls, used to be home to glamorous parties and many an elegant dance. The massive trees and lush grass that grow around the pools still attract families, but it's lost it's splendor to most and no longer represents that well kept wealthy lifestyle. In fact, it's in deep debt and practically bankrupt. The cafe downstairs, once a restaurant, may not have a completely functioning grill, but it's smoothies of questionable origin, the buckets of nacho cheese, and melted ice cream sandwiches are part of people's childhood. From group of punkish teenagers that always take the corner booth and never wear shoes, to the group of old men that sit on the hill with their guitars on Saturday nights, this cafe means home. This review may be biased, but even if my chicken nuggets are frozen and the salt shaker has pepper in it and my smoothie isn't smooth, and even if the service is minimal and it's a negligent teenager behind the counter most of the time, it's a landmark in kid's lives. They'll make fun of it to others, laughing about how a raccoon died in the wall and how nothing ever works around there, but they'll never forget summer days when it rains and the cafe managed to crank out some watery hot chocolate and cut a muffin into twelve pieces so every soaked and freezing person could have a bite. It's the purest example of heart over health. Always appreciate its' good intentions, even if you're being sold overpriced soggy cheese fries that may give you food poisoning.
***DISCLAIMER: this review is highly exaggerated, Fry's Spring is a great community and beautiful place and I love it with all my heart.... though the raccoon thing is true but it may have been a opossum. They couldn't really tell it just smelled really bad.***
I love the line "even if my chicken nuggets are frozen and the salt shaker has pepper in it and my smoothie isn't smooth, and even if the service is minimal and it's a negligent teenager behind the counter most of the time, it's a landmark in kid's lives. " - Throughout this piece you weave humor and nostalgia into a place that I'm only vaguely familiar with, but I feel like I've been there. It's clear from your tone that you hold the place in high regard, but I like the way you go about writing that. Nice job!
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