Mrs. Mike's Potato Chips

After a long day of trudging around and antiquing, whether we are browsing shops or a flea market or attending a show--we get a bit "peckish" and want to sit down and have something to eat. After all-you need strength to carry on for the rest of the afternoon. The Brits really have the right idea--many antique centres have a "tea room" someplace in the building--frequently on the top floor. Usually somebodies sister-in-law works with a girlfriend to make "freshly cut sandwiches" or a "jacket" (baked) potato to offer shoppers. There might even be a few lopsided layer cakes under glass domes. You can always count on mismatched china and cutlery and a fabulous pot of tea--just the refresher needed. And why do sandwiches always taste better when someone else fixes them?
British antiques fairs that are held in showgrounds always have purpose built wagons-each with a specialty--cornish pasties, a carvery (mystery meat whacked off big bones) or our favourite--the toasty wagon. This is the British version of the panini--just the ticket for a ravenous shopper--and all the best if consumed when it is brisk outside--at a picnic table with a cuppa tea.
Now--our American antique promotors could take a lesson here. It is quite hit or miss--and mostly miss-and not healthy food. Fried stuff-greasy stuff and lots of orange plastic nacho cheese sauce. Think ballpark food but not as colorful.
One of our regional auction houses conducts auctions in a large warehouse building. The food concession is offered by a man in a motorized wagon that he pulls into a huge loading door. Dan and I usually take a thermos of coffee and our own "freshly cut sandwiches" or granola bars. But this particular wagon offers Mrs. Mike's Potato Chips. RETRO POTATO CHIPS. These are made in Freeport Illinois and are like chips used to be made in the 1960s. And they taste like the 1960s. Three ingredients--and you can pronounce them all.
So--if being at an auction and bidding on and buying old things doesn't transport me to my childhood-- then munching some Mrs. Mike's chips sure does.
(the attached photo has nothing to do with antiquer's food. Pecorino, whole grain bread, acacia honey and orange zest. It is a lunch we had in Italy. Maybe a "Tuscany Wagon" at the next antique fair?)