Eating at Al’s/Hippies and Heroin

I was recently in Al’s, which reminded me of something that a friend of mine who’d spent time living in the Burlington area told me about my moving to his old stomping ground. “Oh,” he said. “It’s a lot like Portland (Maine), but with more hippies and heroin.” Al’s is one of the darkest first-world locations that I have ever been to, though every time I go, I have the most fun. When I moved here for a stint a little over a year ago, I’d walk to Al’s after hanging out at Higher Ground for a handful of beers and get some fries. I’d get stared down for being too awkward or effeminate for it being near to midnight. I enjoyed it a great deal and my return was worth-while. Double-cheese burger and fries. Skinny young woman with an invalid, arguing about the 22 cent cost of extra toppings. I look forward to getting fact on gray beef and frier grease.

Advertisement