It Came From The Porch : Locations : Restaraunts, Bars, Etc

BUTCH CASSIDY'S Good place for a beer and a chicken sandwich. Usually good blues playing, although that's hardly a given... I recall the hour of glam retro hell I got stuck in. But usually it's good tunes and good food. Les the Friendly Bartender'll even remember your name, and he makes a pretty good God's Blessing (that's Irish coffee to you laypeople.) Funny thing, it's a bar, but it's a family bar, often with small kids running around and harassing the fish. I usually end up there drinking and reading. Tells you something about my life, don't it? It's a small joint on north Florida street, almost to Old Shell.

Jeff can tell you where Widespread'll be next.

 

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THE BIKE SHOP Almost 50 years ago, my father bought one of his first bicycles from the original Schwinn dealership on the west end of Dauphin Street. Jim and Woody Walker have renovated the building and turned it into a classy but casual joint... the only place I've ever known to have National Geographics in a small rack at the end of the bar. The taps put out good, cold beer, the bar is a comfortable place if you're in the mood for conversation, and the booths are high-walled and softly lit if you'd rather be more secluded and sedate.

The Bike Shop, 601 Dauphin Jim Walker tends bar.

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OLD DUTCH ICE CREAM SHOPPE Sometimes you've gotta have a mint chocolate chip milkshake. When you find yourself starting to clench your fists and look for sharp objects, this is where you should end up. Sit down, calm down, check out the menu. Enjoy the doily they put down in front of you. Play with it a little. Sip some water from the paper cone in the plastic holder. Bill and I have become regulars here for milkshakes after lunch. Fattening, I suppose, but it makes taking my daily medicine almost pleasant. Almost. The Shoppe is right down from work, on the corner of Florida and Old Shell, two buildings north of Butch Cassidy's. For some reason the bathrooms are outside, on the side of the building. NOTE: Rob says "Whatta ya mean 'for some reason'? Look at it... it was a gas station. Duh."

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THE BACKYARD GRILL Hungry? Really hungry? How's this sound... fried catfish, flounder, fried chicken, salisbury steak, liver & onions (ick!) and RIBS! Cornbread! Turnip greens, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, squash, green beans and black-eyed peas... how about some apple cobbler or 'nanner puddin for dessert? Health food it ain't, but you're just not living unless you stop by here every once in a while. It's buffet style and cheap. Place is clean, the folks are friendly and the food kicks ass. What more can I say? It's in Creighton, on Springhill Ave directly across from Dogwood.

The Backyard Grill, Springhill in Creighton

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BANZAI JAPANESE RESTARAUNT There are three sushi restaraunts in town, but if you want the good stuff, the real thing, this is where you need to be. It's way the hell out in West Mobile, almost to freakin' Mississippi, on the corner of Schillinger and Airport. It's worth the ride and the traffic. This is the first place I ever tried sushi. We came out to meet Stephen and Amy as they came back from the airport. I did not originally intend to stick any piece of raw fish and seaweed into my mouth, but they talked me into it. I asked Stephen to order for me. Every single thing I tried was delicious. It's now one of my favorite places (well, duh, otherwise it wouldn't be listed here, now would it?) and it draws a good number of my friends from Midtown who would not otherwise head out to west Mobile. If you're flying into town, and feeling a bit peckish, stop here on your way into town from the airport.

Brother Neal and father Dad prepare to venture into the unknown. Like any good sushi place, you're welcome to observe the proceedings. Just looking at this makes me hungry!