Memories of the Grill
by
Don Harold Lawrence 
    Jack Caviness had one of the most pleasant and infectious smiles I have ever seen.  He was soft-spoken; he had an easygoing personality; and there was an unmistakable kindness in his eyes.  He and his wife, Alice, have a special place in my memories of childhood.
    During my boyhood years Jack managed the Grill, a small restaurant which was located next door to the old Milan Theater on Main Street in Milan, Tennessee.  For many years this little restaurant was at the heart of the community.
    Across the years there were a number of persons who worked at the Grill, and I regret that I do not know the names of all these employers and owners.  Don Mayo, who is now sixty-four years old, told me that he worked there when he was a boy.  He started as a dishwasher and later became a short-order cook.  He left there in 1957.  He was only six years old when his father,  R.L. Mayo, who had worked at the Grill, died in 1942.  Don’s mother, Ethel Mayo, also worked at the Grill for approximately ten years.  I believe that Don also mentioned a Mrs. Lankford who worked there.  I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to any Grill employees or managers whose names do not appear in this article.
    The eating area inside the Grill was so small that there was only room for a curved counter with approximately 12-15 stools.  There were no tables and chairs.  A curtain hung in the doorway which led into the small kitchen.
    When I was boy growing up in Milan during the 1950's, 1 frequented the Grill. I used to go there often with Dad.  We would wait our turn during the busy lunch hour, and when we finally climbed up on the stools Jack would remove the dirty dishes of the previous customers, wipe the counter clean, smile, place a fresh glass of cold water in front of us, and ask, “What can I get for you fellows today?”
    The menu was simple, and when we gave Jack our order he would shout the order to the cook in the kitchen.  The cook, in response, would then echo the order back.  This system of communication from customer to waiter to cook and back to waiter was simple and foolproof!  It worked efficiently, smoothly, flawlessly, and “without a hitch” countless times each day for many years.
When the meal was prepared the cook would pass the food orders from the kitchen to Jack through a small window-like opening.  Across the years I have eaten in many restaurants, but nothing I have ever eaten has ever tasted any better than those delicious and juicy cheeseburgers and French fries which Jack sat before me in the Grill during those boyhood days.
    Many persons who worked in the downtown area frequented the Grill.  When you sat down at the counter, you might find yourself sitting next to a barber, farmer, optometrist, mechanic, dentist, store clerk, postal worker, police officer, or the Mayor.  And, I am sure that the various persons who patronized the Grill have their own cherished memories of those special lunchtime moments which took place long ago.
    When you had finished eating and were ready to pay for your meal, Jack would always smile and wish you a nice day.  You knew that he really meant this, that it was not just something he uttered out of mere habit.
    Jack has been gone for a long time, but there is something about his kind and gentle smile and loving disposition that has stayed alive in my memory across these many years.
    As I reflect on those priceless experiences which took place in the long-ago, my recollections of the Grill, Jack and Alice Caviness, and the positive role they played in the community of Milan are among the most treasured memories I have of a time and place when the pace was much slower and the world seemed much more simple.  Yes, it was a good time to be alive; Milan was a good place to live; and the Grill was a good place to eat!
    To Jack and all of those who worked at the Grill, I say, “Thanks!” (DHL)