an obsession called thomas* 

I learnt about Thomas while I was in Poring Hot Springs Resort after the Mount Kinabalu climb. We were waiting for our dinner to be served when both ML (aka the ascending Duracell bunny) and Tracy brought up this Old Klang Road phenomenon called Thomas.

Aiyo…it was Thomas this and Thomas that.

"Who’s this Thomas?" I asked.

"Hah? You have not heard of Thomas?," ML snubbed and rolled her eyes at my ignorance.

"Err…no. That’s why I asked lah," I replied.

Thomas refers to Thomas Western stall in OUG. The two best things about Thomas are (i) the price is very, let's say, affordable (ii) the super yummy fried potato skin & cream potato balls. He’s got the whole western grill menu of like Chicken Chop, Grilled Chicken with Mushroom Sauce, Grilled Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce, Chicken Maryland, Pork Chops, Lamb Chops, Mixed Chops, Pork Roll (specialty on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and many more.

From the way both of them were describing the chicken chop, I started salivating along with them.

Upon my return, the name 'Thomas' was still haunting me. I can even hear the name in my sleep.

I must confess that I even looked at the goliath-size color separator guy, who ironically carries the name Thomas, differently - like a massive giant pork chop dipped in thick mushroom sauce!

Pork chop! Pork chop! Pork chop!

Give me a 'P', give me a 'O', give me a 'R'...

Aiyo. I'm going mad! [Wipe that saliva, anj!]

Anyway, being extra conscious of my salivating status, I quickly said hi and bye, before moving away hurriedly to tissue off the drool at the side of my mouth. I don't want him to get the impression that I've got the hots for him. Oh no.

And then my production manager is also named Thomas! But unlike the color separator, he's of skin and bones. So with him, I imagined lean Chicken Chop instead. Let's not forget the mushroom sauce.

And damn it, Red 104.9FM artist of the month is none other than Rob Thomas! Double slurp!

When I turned on the lights at night, the name Thomas Edison lit up on my head.

Aiyo.

So last Monday, I left work early and braced myself to meet the man behind my new obsession.

I must say I like the Chicken Chop lots. And for once, you can see and bite into big slices of mushroom in the mushroom sauce, not some puny excuse of mushroom millicubes like what you get elsewhere.

After having tried Thomas, my obsession grew.

Unashamedly I admit, I've visited Thomas 3 times last week. The count could have risen to 4, if I had not practiced self-control and accelerated on the oil pedal last Sunday evening when I passed by. If I can't eat it, at least the vision of the stall was somewhat satisfying.

When I reached home, I decided to sleep the guilt off only to be awoken by a SMS from ML which read, "I am now at Thomas."

So, my dear Thomas…this is for you.

Hey Thomas, the western grill man Thomas
Until last week, I didn't even know you were so famous
When we first met, I admit I was a bit nervous
But you were hospitable and gregarious
So I was less conscious
Of my own nervousness
Your chicken chop is contagious
Coz it is super delicious
And the potato skin, wah liau, it is scrumptious
But I cannot keep this obsession akin a curse
Constantly parting money from my purse
To satisfy my gastronomic urge
I don’t want my waistline to go burst
Then I will go berserk and turn malicious.


P.S. I think I need to join a rehab. Ha.

[Thomas Western is located at the back of Restoran Ong Lay, adjacent to the OUG wet market. Nearby is the infamous and over-rated Steven’s Corner.]
September 12, 2005 // anjali* pranced on tip-toes all over the keyboard at 9:38 am
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