Bald pate means free plate under Lodi restaurant's deal

Sept 2004

By Lori ArataniMercury News

Those who have fretted about their receding hairlines, contemplated the comb-over or had the hairpiece from hell, there is reason to rejoice. Gary Arnold understands your angst. He embraces it. And he wants to do something about it.

That's why, every Wednesday at Arnold's white-tablecloth eatery, bald guys -- and gals -- eat for free. Gratis. Nada. Nothing.

That's right, a full meal free for the follicly challenged. Partial baldness earns a partial discount. Bad hair transplants? A 10 percent surcharge, he jokes.

``Bald used to be an embarrassment, but with pro athletes and Vin Diesel, it's taken a different turn,'' said the 52-year-old Santa Clara native. ``It's an in thing to be bald, and it's sexy to be bald. My wife talked me into shaving my head, and I love it. I think bald -- bald is beautiful.''

Arnold's marketing scheme -- Wednesdays used to be slow -- has won him acclaim around the world. Australians, in particular, seem fascinated by the concept (Arnold said he has done five Aussie radio call-in shows), and a crew from Japan is slated to drop by for an inside look at the phenomenon this month.

Gary's Uptown Restaurant and Bar was featured in a recent issue of the National Enquirer, and a story about it is displayed prominently at http://www.stophairlossnow.com/, billed as ``Europe's largest and most innovative hair loss Web site,'' as well as http://www.baldrus.com/ -- a Washington, D.C.-based group whose founder boasts, ``I'm too sexy for my hair.''

Arnold has even been approached by a company that sells headblades -- for keeping your head smooth and shiny -- that is interested in sponsoring a promotion at the restaurant.

``Most bald guys have a sense of humor about it,'' said Arnold, who played football at Archbishop Mitty and honed his culinary skills at Uncle John's Pancake House. ``Only one guy denied that he was bald. He refused to take a discount.''

On a recent Wednesday night, just about every party that walked through the door included someone with a little shine up top. They were handed a special ``Bald Guy's Menu,'' with nine dinner entrees, including Arnold's personal favorite, the four-piece fried chicken dinner that includes soup or salad and fries.

Whether it was their first or their 15th visit, everyone was in good humor. Free food will do that to a person.

``It's a great gimmick,'' said Frank Kearne, who was dining with his wife, Lylene. ``A lot of guys try to hide their baldness, but I say, it's a fact of life, so let's have fun with it.''

That was what Arnold was thinking when he unveiled the idea in April.

Make no mistake, Gary's is no greasy spoon. This is a white-tablecloth establishment complete with candles and cloth napkins. During the dinner hours the wait staff wears tuxedo shirts and bow ties. And the portions aren't small. Most folks leave the restaurant with doggie bags.

Every Wednesday, Lloyd Holt takes the bus from nearby Stockton to Gary's for his free meal, usually the skillet steak, done medium rare. He figures between bus fare and tip, he spends about $5 for a pretty filling meal.

``At first when I heard free food, I thought I'd come by and check it out,'' Holt said. ``The quality of food is just incredible.''

Still, there were a few folks eating dinner who weren't quite ready to declare themselves totally bald -- even for free eats.

``This isn't bald,'' said Stan Engleman, who argued that his thinning hairline was really a ``giant part'' that he had been working on for the past 50 years.

``It's almost where I want it to be,'' he said, rubbing his head and smiling.

While Bald Guys Eat Free might not be his biggest moneymaker, the hope is that the bald guys will come in another night and bring their friends and families with them.

The promotion has made Wednesday the restaurant's busiest night after Saturdays, when prime rib, music and dancing are offered.

And it seems some folks will go to great lengths to get a free tri-tip sandwich or a filet of red snapper.

Arnold swears -- swears -- that a bald man and a bald woman came in one Wednesday for their first date.

Larry and Toni Miller visited Gary's for the first time recently. Larry had the flatiron steak; Toni the chicken Caesar salad. They pronounced the food fantastic and the bill -- a hefty $9.64, tip included -- even more fabulous.

``He's been balding since high school,'' Toni Miller said about her husband, who still has a touch of white fuzz around the sides of his head. ``About 15 years ago he decided to give up the ghost and just go with it.''

Added her husband: ``God made only a few perfect heads. The rest he covered with hair.''