Episode 32: Clay Dover

Yeah, I mean, so my grandfather on my mother's side worked in hospitality.

My grandma worked in hospitality.

My grandfather was a pit boss.

He lived in Vegas and Atlantic City.

He worked for the casinos and would come into town.

You know, look, we were

lower middle class.

We never really went out to eat as a family.

We had tons of kids.

My dad was an architect.

We had enough money to live, but it wasn't extravagant by any means.

When my grandfather would come into town, it was a big deal.

He would come a couple of times a year and he would take us out to restaurants.

And it was magical.

He would let us order anything that we wanted, including Sprite or 7-Up.

And it was him.

And he was Italian.

He was the kind of guy that would talk to anyone.

he would strike up these conversations with the waiter or the waitresses.

He would just take charge.

And it was just kids, whatever you guys want, pick anything you want.

It was just like, I had these menus and it was like, wow, appetizers, desserts, sodas, drinks, whatever.

And there was just this magical experience.

And, I sat back and people would bring, or even better, a smorgasbord on Ventura Boulevard.

There's this place called the Swedish Smorgasbord that we would go.

Yeah, I mean, so my grandfather on my mother's side worked in hospitality.

My grandma worked in hospitality.

My grandfather was a pit boss.

He lived in Vegas and Atlantic City.

He worked for the casinos and would come into town.

You know, look, we were

lower middle class.

We never really went out to eat as a family.

We had tons of kids.

My dad was an architect.

We had enough money to live, but it wasn't extravagant by any means.

When my grandfather would come into town, it was a big deal.

He would come a couple of times a year and he would take us out to restaurants.

And it was magical.

He would let us order anything that we wanted, including Sprite or 7-Up.

And it was him.

And he was Italian.

He was the kind of guy that would talk to anyone.

he would strike up these conversations with the waiter or the waitresses.

He would just take charge.

And it was just kids, whatever you guys want, pick anything you want.

It was just like, I had these menus and it was like, wow, appetizers, desserts, sodas, drinks, whatever.

And there was just this magical experience.

And, I sat back and people would bring, or even better, a smorgasbord on Ventura Boulevard.

There's this place called the Swedish Smorgasbord that we would go.