I’m not a biker or a particular fan of biker regalia, but my cousin is, and he was so excited when he saw the Harley-Davidson café. "Let’s try here" he pleaded, "it looks as good as anywhere." So in we go–I’m not proud, I’ll eat anywhere. But inside it’s not "anywhere"–it’s not the cheap hangout that I’d always associated with bikers, but an up-market establishment serving quality American fast-food with a twist.
But don’t confuse this place with "just somewhere to eat," as it’s verging on a living museum. Other than the usual wall plaques, photographs, and its homage to celebrities who happen to have sat on or near a Harley-Davidson, it mimics the environment of the Hard Rock Café. The music was loud enough to assault the eardrums of a "non-biker," but possibly not able to compete with the roar of an over-revved bike on an open road. But then I spotted a reference to "Easy Rider," possibly one of my favourite soundtracks of all time, and I succumbed.
I remembered by father’s love of his motorbike and suggested to my cousin that it was an early Harley (not sure if it was, but it made for a good story, and he was suitably impressed). Now I could relax and take in the ambiance. I no longer found the music too loud–I was becoming a bike fanatic. I observed a massive conveyor belt that runs through the length and height of the café. Strapped to this beast of a belt were seven of the latest models of Harley-Davidson motorcycles that were viewable from almost every nook and cranny in the place. They were in pristine condition, and even though I couldn’t enthuse about the engine, I did recognise them as fine mechanical pieces almost resembling works of art.
Talking of pieces of artwork, there are dozens of intricately painted "gas tanks" displayed throughout the café, all signed by a celebrity from the rock or film world. Some of them were amazingly beautiful and worth looking at in detail. Hanging from the ceiling is the world’s heaviest American flag. The staff claims that it weighs over 7 tons, and it’s made from tens of thousand of chain links. That’s bikers for you!
But wait a minute, we were hungry – we came in here to eat! There are a couple of dozen beers to choose from (now there’s a serious choice to begin with!) and a really extensive menu, from large juicy steaks to "grown-up sandwiches," with french fries, fajitas, pies packed with meat, pizzas, and chicken wings. In short, whatever you want is here, and the quality and the quantity is spot on. If you fancy a gooey desert (if you’ve got space), they only "do" large portions. Sharing a main course and a pudding means that you can enjoy it all without feeling "stuffed".
Don’t be shy, give it a whirl–this restaurant is entertaining and does its job.