DO & ME (don’t ask, it’s China) is clean as a pin, efficient,
friendly, well-run and a generally much better version of the Colonel’s vision
(Sorry SGT. Sanders). The locals pronounce it "Do Meili" ('too
beautiful' in Chinese). The floors are cleaned after each table is deserted, the
tables sanitized and the detritus of the repast disposed of by clean and sharply
dressed people with smiles - been to a fast food joint in the U.S. lately? Do
& Me has a secret recipe that makes the Colonel look like a sergeant. Hot,
spicy wings that are fresh-cooked and crispy; the coffee is hot and good; the 
burgers are great and everything is brought to the table if it is not
immediately ready. Each diner gets a plastic glove, like we use as a gas and
diesel mitt at the local gas station. I haven’t figured whether this is to
keep the hands clean or keep the food clean. Either way, there was an immaculate
sink
with soap next to the registers to wash up - before and after the binge. All this
- good service, cleanliness and good food -- for about half of the U.S. price and
served with a smile. I was even greeted at the door by strains of Louis singing
"It’s a Wonderful World"; thanks, Do & Me.
An upstairs table at Do & Me was arranged by Yuening for a
Christmas-eve family dinner;
Yuening, Liang Xi, Yuening’s brother, sister-in-law, Professor Wei, me and
Yuening’s parents. Of course, the tables
were carefully selected, set up and
populated with just the right set of chairs under the direction of General Yuening. As we waited for
the rest of the party, the joint started filling up with about ½ of Nanning, or
so it seemed. Yuening guarded the chairs from would-be infiltrators until we
were all seated. Me, Wei and Yuening went to order some food downstairs at the
counter that had about 10 registers heading lines of about 30 people each. She
walked directly to the front of line #4 (having previously included special management
approval in her battle plan) and we ordered enough food for about 20 souls, even
though we were only 8. As it turns out, we had to return for a second go at the
register in a ½ hour or so; as I have said, the Chinese really like to eat.
Upstairs, things were just getting started. About 200 or so people
chattered and chewed to the same canned Xmas music that makes me crazy in the states. We
jingle bells-ed through wings, white Christmas-ed through 3 whole roast chickens
and wished you a merry Christmas through several other plates too numerous to
catalog here. All the while, an announcer on a PA system that would have served
in a football stadium was calling the numbers of register
receipts that were winners of small prizes. Apparently everyone won something if
the commotion was any indication. Best Christmas I’ve had in years, and only
had to travel 9000 miles to get here. What a deal!