Favorite Portsmouth Spot
"If these walls could talk…" For the true flavor of Portsmouth, no establishment is as beloved and entrenched in the city’s history as Gilley’s. This hot dog and burger landmark began as a sidewalk cart in the 1940s until the city eventually donated a lot for the business to permanently locate. Whether it’s a chili cheese dog, french fries or cheeseburger, patrons savor these classic menu favorites. But the real spirit of Gilley’s lives on in the hearts and memories of these devotees who crowd the stainless steel counters every day. So inspired by the legacy of Gilley’s. Fred wrote and published a poem celebrating the Portsmouth institution titled, "If These Walls Could Talk."
Gilley’s
Oh, if only these walls could talk
what an interesting story they’d tell
of this City by the sea
and the folks who know it so well.
These walls have seen hunger
and probably gluttony too –
seen the well dressed professor
and tramps just passing though.
These walls enclosed a forum
of local politics and sports –
of the Celtics and the Bruins
and Red Sox spring training reports.
Each evening to the square
Where it stayed for most of the night,
These walls show wear from years of use,
And scars from an occasional fight.
“Two with the works,” I hear the echo
The walls seem to ring with the cry –
Dogs with mustard, relish, and onion
as quick as the hands could fly.
Just simple fare, but hearty
no fancy menus here.
Top it off with black coffee
to settle the evening’s beer.
And, if all of the stools were full
or if you had a special date –
the takeout window opened
with a, “Here’s your order, Mate.”
Oh, the sands of time march on
and the old walls see new clerks
but, just listen and you’ll still hear –
“Gilly, make it two more with the works!”
Fred Pettigrew