Good bit today - love it! my grandparents had a bar in a small town and sometimes, on Sundays my small self would 'get' to wash out the ash trays and sticky tables and in return, get orange soda and jax (cheese puffs) at the long wooden bar for my efforts. Best days ever, I'd get a couple quarters to play the slide bowling game or pinball. Fast forward to my 19 yr old self, I confidently challenge my grandmother there, on her home table, to play pool..... she broke, ran the table, and i stood there motionless, cue in hand, in awe yet again....
Great piece T! You totally captured the soul of “The Buddy Bar” perfectly!
I've been in lots of 'em.....but I never found a better one
I liked the redskin peanuts in little celophane bag with a staple. I think they were .10
the price was always right. I think you could get a 10oz draft for 50 cents
Count me as a part time 'regular' in the 70's. Buddy's, Igoe's, George's, Drinker Cafe was our round robin. A lot of stories!
Wonderful read my friend, spent the better part of a decade in there, I would still pop in for a drink and a bite to eat!
Only live 3 blocks away, might have to become the old dude with his own stool and relive my 20’s.
Hope to buy you a drink sometime soon!🍺🥃
Would love that Ronnie! Lots of catching up to do. So many memories there. I miss everything.
Terrific essay, Tom! Before it was Clarke’s, that bar was called Vanstons.
Was it Vanston's when it opened in 1968? I feel like I should know this.....
Yes I believe it was.
Good bit today - love it! my grandparents had a bar in a small town and sometimes, on Sundays my small self would 'get' to wash out the ash trays and sticky tables and in return, get orange soda and jax (cheese puffs) at the long wooden bar for my efforts. Best days ever, I'd get a couple quarters to play the slide bowling game or pinball. Fast forward to my 19 yr old self, I confidently challenge my grandmother there, on her home table, to play pool..... she broke, ran the table, and i stood there motionless, cue in hand, in awe yet again....
I LOVE this story. Jax remain one of my favorite foods! Thank you for sharing....
and lets just say I'll never forget watching her run the table on me - its been a minute since i was 19.....