Gordon's in Crisfield - 2010
"Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can't even describe and aren't even aware of." ~ Ellen Goodman
Gordon's is a powerful Crisfield tradition that can be both described and experienced. Tradition is a way of life around Crisfield.
I pop into Gordon's Confectionery in Crisfield on a regular basis. It's the best way to get the local news before the paper comes out, sit and talk with the waterman and old-timers and other locals. There is always talk of politics, crabs or oysters - whatever the season may be; whose sick, who died, the weather, and the local topic of the day that is ever-changing and always entertaining.
I am not an early riser, but to be assured of a full-house, you need to be at Gordon's around 4:30 a.m. Never fear if you are a late riser because they are there until 9:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Gordon's has been around since 1924. It's living history, a real slice of Americana that's changed little over the years. If you come to Crisfield, be sure and stop in and try the food. Sit a spell and talk if you have time. If you are so inclined, you will make some new friends before you leave and learn something about our rich history. And don't forget to chug down a cup of their Maxwell House coffee. They have some kind of brewing secret. Many of the people in town head to Gordon's right before closing on Saturday's to get coffee-to-go so they can heat it up in their microwaves on Sunday mornings.
My last visit to Gordon's was off-peak, so to speak, but I had my camera so I took a few photos.
There is always a special at Gordon's. The special for this day was a breakfast ham, egg, and cheese muffin with hash-browns and a large cup of coffee. They cook your eggs and ham up fresh, and don't think they skimp on the ingredients. You never go away hungry!
Sometimes there is standing room only.
People come by foot, car, on scooters and bikes, and in golf carts. This was a take-out order.
Let's go back in time to a photo I took of Cheeseburger, who has been a part of Gordon's for 25 years. I think he was making a cheeseburger!
Speaking of cheeseburgers, here is a photo of a happy customer; let no man - uh, photographer - stand between a man and his Gordon's cheeseburger. TimHoward, the curator of the Tawes Museums, is always a great sport when I have my cameras locked on him. Now that's what I call town spirit! BTW, Happy Birthday, Tim!
