Who’s this Al Fresco guy anyway?

Lately as I drive around commercial areas, it amuses me to see a restaurant with a table and chairs sitting outside by the entrance. Sometimes there’s someone sitting there eating but mostly the table is empty.

Sometimes, there are two tables with chairs.

It’s become trendy to dine al fresco, but some places are missing the mark a bit.

Restaurants who do it right have a patio area off to the side or in front, an area with either a trellis covering the tables or tables with shady umbrellas for outdoor diners to sit under.

Those who go all out and have a corner location often have a tree-filled area behind the restaurant with outdoor lights that may or may not twinkle. There may be piped music or a small live ensemble. And the atmosphere is intimate and special. Especially if the establishment sprays for flying bugs.

But apparently some places want to offer al fresco seating but lack imagination as well as atmosphere.

I’m thinking of places that put a couple of tables and chairs smack dab on the sidewalk near the street so diners can get up close and personal with pedestrians on the sidewalk, while at the same time inhale exhaust from passing cars.

I recall one who had a little space off their parking lot, so they put a couple of tables and chairs off the lot and right next to the Dumpster.

What’s so great about eating outdoors? I can see a picnic in a secluded area with a lot of trees and maybe a picnic table. But if I’m going to go out to eat at a restaurant where someone else cooks and serves the food, then I want air-conditioning! Bring me napkins that won’t fly away when a car passes by, and I want to breathe in the tempting smells of the kitchen, not the noxious smells of a delivery truck pulling up.

C’mon folks. Put those tables and chairs inside. No one wants to sweat from 90-degree temperatures while waiting for their iced tea to arrive. No one wants to pick sidewalk shrapnel out of their salad after a car passes by. If you eat inside, stray dogs won’t beg for your food. And if a sudden storm pops up, the customers are going to have to bring their soggy food inside anyway. Might as well have the tables there ready for them.