Several NYC restaurants are running Father ‘ s Day specials on June 21: Peasant (SoHo) has a Whole Animal rotisserie menu and a Whole Pig Dinner; MangoSeed (Flatbush, Brooklyn) offers beer and rum flights with NBA Finals viewing; The Standard Grill (Meatpacking District) hosts Daddy’ s Bingo with martinis and sparklers; Junoon (Flatiron) adds special Indian dishes; and Lysée (Flatiron) sells an $80 chocolate cake serving four to six.
Ah, Father’s Day. A day we set aside to show appreciation for the dad in our lives, whether it’s your own father, a father figure, or just that guy who’s really good at fixing things around the house. But have you noticed something a little peculiar about this special day? It seems like the restaurant scene is a bit of a ghost town when it comes to celebrating dear old Dad.
Now, let’s get real for a second. Mother’s Day is practically a national holiday for restaurants. You can’t walk two steps without tripping over a brunch special that includes mimosas, complimentary chocolates, and maybe even a free foot massage if you’re lucky. They roll out the red carpet for moms, and rightly so—after all, they did carry us for nine months and put up with our teenage angst.
But Father’s Day? Not so much. It’s like the restaurants went on holiday themselves. You’d think they’d at least offer a special breakfast or lunch menu, perhaps a nice steak deal or a beer flight to celebrate the man who taught you how to ride a bike or fix a leaky faucet. But nope, it’s business as usual, my friends.
I was recently chatting with my wife about this very topic. She was on the hunt for a nice spot to take me for Father’s Day, and after a few fruitless searches, she came back with an apology instead of a reservation. “Sorry, hon, but it looks like we’re stuck with the same old takeout again this year.” Thanks, restaurants, for making me feel as special as a leftover sandwich.
It’s baffling, really. You’d think that with all the dad jokes flying around and the barbecue culture deeply embedded in our society, there would be a few more themed events to celebrate the occasion. I mean, how hard would it be to whip up a ‘Dad’s Day BBQ Bash’ or ‘Grill and Chill’ event? Just slap a few burgers on the grill, pour some cold ones, and boom! You’ve got yourself a Father’s Day celebration.
But instead, we get the same ol’ menu with a side of indifference. It’s like the restaurants are saying, “Sure, we love dads, but not enough to put in any effort.” I can’t help but wonder if this is some sort of conspiracy. Maybe there’s a secret pact among restaurant owners to keep Father’s Day low-key so they can save all the good stuff for the moms.
So, what’s a dad to do? Should we just accept our fate and resign ourselves to another year of mediocre food and a lack of fanfare? Or should we take matters into our own hands and start organizing our own events? I’m thinking of starting a grassroots movement: “Dads Deserve Better” where we demand steak specials, craft beer tastings, and at least a nod to our existence on Father’s Day.
In the meantime, let’s not forget to appreciate the little things. Maybe a simple family dinner at home is all we really need. Or perhaps a day spent watching sports in our pajamas—because nothing says “I love you, Dad” quite like a full day of couch time.
So here’s to all the dads out there: may your Father’s Day be filled with love, laughter, and hopefully a decent meal—whether it’s from your favorite restaurant or a well-cooked dish at home. And to the restaurants, we’re watching you. Next year, let’s step it up a notch, shall we?
Inspired by: “Is it just me or is there a lack of Fathers Day themed restaurant events?” (r/melbourne)