The Wake

The basic needs of the human body appear simple at first: sleep, food and water. With minimal lacerations, punctures and diseases, it functions at average capacity. However, if average is just not enough, if you strive for excellence as all your grade school teachers taught you to, then you’ll love this easy solution for achieving bodily greatness. I am not talking about exercising, weight lifting, or seaweed protein shakes. You people I saw running at high noon this summer when it was 95 degrees outside are on the wrong path. The path is soulful and sweet, with just a hint of slow-cooked rock n’ roll: Wednesday nights at Gluek’s, a place where tantalizing food is consumed and Root City Band’s music wiggles every limb involuntarily until there is nothing left to do but shake your way to ecstasy.

Our party arrived at Gluek’s around 9 p.m., paid the three-dollar cover, seated ourselves, and were immediately attended to for drink orders and menus. As our food was being sliced, tossed and grilled, we waited with feet tapping and heads bobbing to the musical stylings of Root City Band. The band’s playful combination of funky soul and rock n’ roll pasted a smile on my face for the rest of the night, although the Long Island iced tea may have contributed.

The prompt arrival of our meals brought us inches away from the sensory extravaganza that is eating Gluek’s food while listening to Root City jam. Gluek’s has American-style food with tinges of German cuisine. My roommate and I split two meals: a Maui Waui, grilled chicken breast marinated in teriyaki with grilled pineapple and provolone on a Kaiser roll, and a Berliner, made with slow-cooked pot roast and marinated mushrooms baked on sourdough with sour cream and Swiss cheese served open faced. Each dish comes with your choice of seasoned fries, fresh fruit, or coleslaw.

All I can remember from the meal was that my chewing went to an excellent beat and my body couldn’t decide what it liked more, the tangy salt and sweet of pineapple teriyaki, or tender beef juices running down my throat. My two other companions dove into their meals of a buffalo chicken sandwich and a chef salad. Nothing says it was good more than clean plates and a 23 year-old man who just “ran out of eating room” after one chef salad.

Food consumed and bill paid, we were on the dance floor. I grooved like my booty could think for itself: It swayed and I blissfully followed. Soon, movements in my arms and legs occurred that I never thought possible. Our group left sweaty and satisfied, replaying the music in our heads.

I will leave you with a darkening thought — school is upon us. But, when ten-page essays and incomprehensible calculus teachers are wearing down your mind and body, there will always be at Gluek’s to sooth that mid-week hump.