Bar Gumbo, Glasgow, UK

Back in New Orleans, only its not the deep south of the USA but the West End of Glasgow within a stones throw of the University.  Bar Gumbo invites you to come in and try 'some home cooked soul food from the southern states'. Inside its dark, very dark, lots of wood and and an intimate feel. Not sure how that works when the regular music sessions start up.

The range of food is good. On offer are Po'Boys, Muffaletta, Jambalaya, Etouffee, Dixie Battered Catfish and of course Gumbo! I tried the Cajun Chicken Burger with cajun spices, bacon, onion rings... and this is where it went wrong .... chips. As we are riffing New Orleans here I wanted fries (chili fries, garlic fries, even regular fries) not Glasgow chippy chips. Tasted good but its Glasgow food and it didn't look the part.

The piped music was a good pub background mix. But maybe some more Cajun, Southern Blues, or Jazz would be better suited. The bar was well stocked. I didn't have a thorough look (lunchtime and I had work to do) but if there were American beers in stock they could have been better promoted. Sadly nothing of the Crescent City going on here, another pastiche place that doesn't really try hard enough. Perhaps nobody cares anyway. That aside its a nice place to visit.

Cafe Dialogues: Sesemae, Chinese Takeaway, Glasgow

A further strand we are developing is a listening survey of conversations from various settings. What do these snapshot conversations tell us about the nature of modern life

Conversation between two men

Ordered one large chips.....

This was a coincidental meeting of two men with similar experiences. The first was on a zero hours contact as a delivery driver during the day and delivered food for a Chinese Takeaway food store at night. The second man was ordering his large chips. The conversation started because the first man was yawning and saying how he was looking forward to the end of his shift. As the conversation progressed, it became clear that the second man who was older, had had similar experiences and in fact knew the company the first man worked for.

The first theme of the conversation was the need for men to do what you had to to make a living when you were just married and had small children. In this the older man affirmed the behaviour of the younger and assured him that the hard work paid off. The second theme was the desire for security, the younger man on a zero hours contract had plenty of work this week but not guarantee for the following weeks. Again the older man was supportive suggesting that the company were decent, the owner is brand new, he started with a wee escort van and now has lorries going to every island in Scotland. Again, the message is that hard work is rewarded and the future was positive.

This dialogue was a snapshot of some aspects of the experience of working class males in 21st Century Scotland. Although economic and employment stability is a thing of the past, the expectation is that the male is the provider. This role is accepted with humour and resignation, it's just what you have to do....even though we got divorced a few years later, said the older man.

It was also an example of how men informally support each other in their maleness. Other was a sense of care and the passing on of folk wisdom from the elder to the younger. This process of socialization which might have happened in the shipyards of the old Clydeside, informally and through apprenticeship relationships, continues in chance conversations in Chinese takeaways.

It reveals the need to support and be supported.

It could also be seen as an example of how hegemony works through every level of society. Socialized gender roles, an acceptance of exploitative employment and a belief in the fairness of the world - work hard and prosper - are all strengthened and internalized. No question of why some people have to work two jobs to survive, no question of how the world could be different.

The challenge for community educators is, how how we either get involved in these conversations or set up situations where these issues are explored. Maybe with a more historical or wider social analysis, these conversations might go in very different directions.

University Café, Glasgow

The University Café is located  in the ‘trendy’ West End of Glasgow, and as you might expect near to the University. This is mainly student / tourist / young professional land, with the more traditional working class areas not too far away. Increasingly, the area is being taken over by coffee shops and more upmarket eateries. You get a sense that the University Cafe is hanging on in there.  

Perhaps the elderly working class cliental and the younger hippier types are sharing the same space and eating the same food, but experiencing very different cultural messages in the process: a venue that is both traditional and retro cool at the same time.

Established in in 1918 by the Verrecchia family, the business still reflects (like many city cafes) the Italian origin of its founders.  A modern mix of the old: long thin booths in the 'Sitting Room’, lots of mirrors and dark wood, flock wallpaper (Indian restaurant style circa 1975). On the walls are numerous paintings and photographs. Many of these are of the University Cafe itself. A great exercise in self referencing.

The food includes home made soups and ice cream, traditional Scottish fried food, with the odd flourish. For example Oak Smoked Haddock, Rice Peas, Sweet Corn and Béchamel Sauce. Also they serve the apparently common Cheese Beano, which I must admit was new to me. Not a place for the healthy option though.

The University Café  has allusions to a grander past but it is just sort of cheap but not really that cheerful. To be fair, to some people it is a Glasgow institution. Byers Road would be a lesser place without it.

There are a range of reviews on Tripadvisor. My favourite  review sums it up: 

Take a trip back in time for this quirky cafe. Try the Mac and cheese you can almost feel your arteries harden with it but it sorts out a hangover, love this place very nostalgic feeling and great service