A Unique Dining Experience.

     It was around the year of 1984.  I was 7 years old and we took a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit my Aunt.  I don't remember much of the trip.  I remember it was my first time out of Michigan and it was my first time flying on an airplane.  But one event I do remember and that was eating at Molly Murphy's House of Fine Repute. 

     Molly Murphy's House of Fine Repute was started in 1976 in Oklahoma City, Ok.  A second one was built in Tulsa a few years later.  The whole atmosphere was something out of the ordinary.  The waiter/waitress staff was dressed up in costume.  It looked like it was Halloween in this building.  It was such much fun watching different characters walking around, playing the part they dressed up as.  Our server was Raggedy Andy.  I used to have stuffed dolls of Raggedy Ann and Andy so seeing him walk around in person was a real treat. 



I was standing in front of our waiter. 
My brother is just behind me wearing the Bacchus Feast bib.





Here I am again with our server, Raggedy Andy, and my brother.


     In the middle was an old car that was transformed into a smorgasbord of wonderful tasty foods.  There was another salad car (that while doing background on the place I found out was a 1963 red Jaguar XKE) for diners who didn't get the Bacchus Feast could use.  The Bacchus Feast was the meal most people came to the restaurant for.  You had to have at least 4 people in your party to order it.  This wasn't just any regular trip to the buffet either.  You HAD to wear a plastic bib while you ate.  I don't remember exactly what foods they served but I don't remember complaining about anything either.  When you ordered the Bacchus Feast the server isn't quiet about it either.  He chants and yells out that another table ordered the Bacchus Feast and other servers will chime into the chants as well. 

     At one point I had to use the bathroom.  I asked my aunt where it is.  She laughed and said I had to ask the waiter.  The waiter came up and I mentioned I had to use the bathroom.  He shouts out as loud as he could, "POTTY TRAIN!!!!  POTTY TRAIN!!!" 

     Being a kid I thought it was thrilling.  As an adult I can see the embarrassment in it.  Raggedy Andy grabbed me by the hand and started walking me up and down every row of seats shouting out potty train.  Other servers fell in line behind us like a long locomotion all shouting, "POTTY TRAIN!!!!"  The bathrooms where in back of the restaurant so you couldn't use them unless you asked. 

     The restaurant made the top 100 resturants in America.  Sadly, on January 1, 1996 Molly Murphy's closed forever.  Poor managment with money and an arguement with a news reporter made Bob Tayar, the owner, decided to abruptly close. 

     I am glad to have the opportunity to experience a restaurant like this.  Never again have I been there, nor have I came close to a dining experience like this one.