I'm not going to lie, I was ready to escape my hometown of Penfield, NY when it was time for me to go to college in Florida. I think one common theme I've noticed is that everyone can't wait to leave home but once they do, they realize how good they really have it. Obviously, my hometown has problems, just like every other town, but I wouldn't want to grow up anywhere else. You don't live in the middle of nowhere but you still have some country aspects to the town. The city of Rochester is only a twenty-minute drive too, in case you want to escape the mundane suburban life. Here are some signs that you grew up in Penfield, NY.
1. Whenever you decide to go to Wegmans, you see every single person you know there. Whether it's a second cousin, a past teacher, or even an ex-boyfriend, you bet you'll see at least five people you know when you go. Obviously, while you're there, you have to pick up a Wegman's sub . Also, why does half of PHS always work there?
2. Drunk after a party? Have nowhere else to go and you're starving? Penfield Hots on four corners is the spot to be. Here you can get the infamous Rochester favorite food, the garbage plate, and you can stuff your face. I guarantee you will probably throw it up a couple of hours later, but it's so worth it and you'll end up eating another one the next weekend.
3. Fourth of July always gets real rowdy in Penfield, especially if you're still in high school. Penfield Fireworks are always hosted at Harris Whalen Park and attracts many families and drunk teenagers. Did you really go to PHS if you didn't stand by the hill, drinking four lokos with your friends, and watching the fireworks explode in the sky?
4. After every sports team won a game or sectionals, the Pub at Don's Original was always popping with people. The Pub is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in Penfield and I would destroy their garbage plate after cheerleading competitions. It's almost a rite of passage to go to Don's as soon as you get home from college.
5. For some reason, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are placed right next to each other at Four Corners. It's always hard to decide which one you and your friends want to go to. Starbucks was always more for coffee dates and doing homework and Dunkin is more for drive-thru iced coffees.
6. You know it was a going to be a great Saturday morning if your mom or dad brought home a bag of Bruegger's Bagels. In my opinion, they are the best bagels you can get in Rochester. I used to go there like every day for open lunch when I was in high school.
7. The best breakfast spot in Penfield has to be The Original Steve's Diner. They have the most delicious pancakes but warning: You might have to wait a while for a table because it is a small restaurant. It's totally worth the wait and the best cure to a hangover after a Saturday night.
8. If you grew up in Penfield, you have been to a summer concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, SPAC, or CMAC. The most popular concerts are definitely any country concert or a Dave Matthews Band concert. You don't even have to go technically since it will be on everybody's snap story.
9. Two words: Bill Grays. This place is my homeland and it has the best cheeseburger in Penfield in my opinion. Their food clogs my arteries every time but it's so delicious.
10. The YMCA is the most lit place ever to workout. Like Wegmans, half of PHS works there and you're always going to see someone you know. They renovated the whole place and it has every workout equipment you could ever imagine.
Penfield, NY isn't the most exciting place, but it's definitely a great place to grow up. I miss it sometimes when I'm thousands of miles away, but no matter where I end up, Penfield will always be home.
