Free Pie Day

No, not the mathematical "Pi Day". This is in no way related to that day at all. We're talking food here. 

Quick note (9/8/08):
Feedback Needed. I haven't had anybody provide feedback in a while. Would you please take a couple of minutes to either leave some feedback about this idea (next section) or contact me (see My Bio section, above right). Thank you!

A few years ago, a friend of mine told me about a restaurant in Ohio that gave away a free slice of pie to diners on a particular day every year. It was right around the Christmas and New Year holidays, and every person who came in and ate at the restaurant got a free pie of pie. A totally free piece of pie - chocolate, lemon meringue, pecan, fudge, apple ... whatever.

What a great idea, I thought!

So, I stored away the thought for a while - even bought the domain name, www.freepieday.com - and figured I'd introduce it on a grand scale one day and somehow make millions of dollars from it.

My wife calls me a dreamer!

I had always thought that the "free pie day" concept would fit well with the cafes, diners and family-style restaurants that I had grown up with. More personally, I thought the concept fit the "Meat and Three Restaurants" perfectly. Since I had created the MEATandTHREE.com website already, it was obvious to me that Meat and Three restaurants should start having a Free Pie Day once a year, and that I needed to start promoting the idea.

When Squidoo came along, with its ease of use and its huge popularity, I knew the time was right. But, I am still a dreamer, you remember?

So, given my dreamer status and the fact that I don't want to shell out a bunch of money on something that may be absolutely ridiculous, I decided to bring the idea up to you, fellow Squidoo lensmasters, and to anyone else who sees this lens. I would like to hear from you. As consumers - as diners - do you think this is a concept that would work? Do you think it would have benefits, not only to you, but to the restaurants, cafes and diners that serve you?

If you have an opinion at all about this idea, I would like to hear from you. And, I think that the owners of dining establishments would be interested in what you think, also. I know that it would not work for every restaurant out there. But, I do think the meat-and-three style of restaurant would fit well with the idea of a Free Pie Day. So many of them already offer several kinds of pies anyway as standard dessert fare. What better way to tell their customers as well as new potential diners that they appreciate them and  that their business is really important to them!

Well, enough from the dreamster.

Let's hear from all of you out there. Take a minute or two to respond via one of the methods below. If you just want to send me a note personally, you can click on the "Contact Me" link above and to the left.

Take part in the "Favorite Pie" poll below, too. Which one is tops for you? 

Thanks for your time! Your involvement is important.

Phil Roberson (mn3guy)

P.S. If it appears that this idea does make some sense, I am going to need some champions - some people who will help spread the word. So, keep this lens in mind (bookmarked) and check back. You could also shoot me a note to let me know that you would like to be involved in getting the message out.