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The roast-beef sandwich Haruru wanted, and lunches in Atsugi

Haruru had an open sandwich in mind, but one lunch arrived as a roast-beef bowl. She ate it, asked about the difference at checkout, and looked forward to trying again. Later notes show the sandwich she had wanted, then another enjoyable lunch at the counter.

Personal lunch accounts shared in November 2018, August 2019 and September 2022. The ordering conversation is a memory of one meal, rather than the restaurant's current ordering instructions.

The bowl that arrived instead of the sandwich

In the first of her November 2018 lunch accounts, Haruru was at DA☆BUTCHERS in Atsugi. She had wanted a roast-beef open sandwich, but the dish that arrived was a bowl. The photos show roast beef layered in a blue dish, with an egg yolk on top.

She noticed the difference but finished her meal without asking about it at the table. At checkout, she explained what she had hoped to order. The reply was that saying sandwich would have led to the bread version. Haruru left thinking that she would make her choice clearer next time.

The bowl that arrived instead of the sandwich — Haruru’s photograph
The bowl that arrived instead of the sandwich — Haruru’s photograph

Later that month, the lunch she had been hoping for

A later account in November 2018 looked back on the earlier bowl and recorded a happier outcome: this time Haruru ordered the open sandwich she had wanted.

There was plenty of roast beef, with leafy greens over it and bread and fries on the plate. She was very satisfied with lunch, and ready to get on with the afternoon.

Later that month, the lunch she had been hoping for — Haruru’s photograph
Later that month, the lunch she had been hoping for — Haruru’s photograph
Later that month, the lunch she had been hoping for — Haruru’s photograph

Another roast-beef lunch, and a frozen drink

In an August 2019 lunch account, Haruru again enjoyed a roast-beef open sandwich, which she described as served with watercress. The plate holds the meat and greens, a piece of bread and fries; another photo shows her iced drink.

The final picture in that day's account changes to a cup topped with pieces of banana. Haruru described it as a banana frozen drink from Lawson, with mango flavour lower down. It was a separate convenience-store treat, rather than a dessert from the lunch restaurant.

Another roast-beef lunch, and a frozen drink — Haruru’s photograph
Another roast-beef lunch, and a frozen drink — Haruru’s photograph
Another roast-beef lunch, and a frozen drink — Haruru’s photograph
Another roast-beef lunch, and a frozen drink — Haruru’s photograph

Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS

In September 2022, Haruru returned to DA☆BUTCHERS in Atsugi after some time away. She chose the roast-beef and arugula open sandwich. The menu photo reads ローストビーフとルッコラのオープンサンド, matching the food name in her account.

She liked the high ceiling and open feeling of the room, and found that sitting alone at the counter felt good. The roast beef was plentiful, and the close-up of the sandwich captures what she had come back to enjoy.

Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS — Haruru’s photograph
Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS — Haruru’s photograph
Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS — Haruru’s photograph
Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS — Haruru’s photograph
Back at the counter at DA☆BUTCHERS — Haruru’s photograph

Sources for this account

Haruru's personal lunch accounts from 2018, 2019 and 2022, edited and shared with her permission.