Regular?
Okay, this is spurred by a conversation I was just having in my office.
What are the best places in town to be a regular?
My initial answers:
1. Taco Mac – VaHi. For stated reasons.
2. Kool Korners Grocery (best Cuban sandwiches in town) – When you walk in to get your regular Cuban sandwich fix and they all know you – well, you are just about the coolest person in there.
3. Octane – When they know you want a regular hot chocolate no whip right when you walk in, without you having to say anything – awesome.
And I have the feeling that Vortex is probably on there somewhere, but I’m not a regular at Vortex, so I wouldn’t really know.
What do you think?
1. The Local
2. Tortilla’s – oh wait…el Myr.
3. Greens
4. The Earl
Being a regular at the Vortex means Artie is extra rude to your exes when they come in, and you just can’t put a price tag on that kind of service.
Amen to the Kool Korners Grocery. While you have to keep your balance due to the floor dust, I usually take all comers to town to it as my favorite hole in the wall, which is most certainly not a whole in the wall to Tech students.
As if I somehow discovered it!
1. The Yacht Club
2. The Variety Playhouse
3. THe Local
4. The Coca-Cola Company cafeteria
Anytime you find a place you really like, make the effort to meet the owners and get to know the staff. We’re regulars at 5 seasons (know Dennis since Yakitori Den-Chan), Vinocity, Mango (used to be Mambo in Va-Hi), Vine and some other places.
There is nothing like having the owner find you a “reservation” when there are a bunch of people waiting for tables.
I’m going another direction and voting for my nail salon (I never have to wait, and am frequently greeted with a hug) and Midtown Dry Cleaners (always enthusiastic small talk and never have to give my name or number for them to pull my clean bits off the rack).
As for grub? North Highland Pub (NHP), the girls recite my drink order before I open my mouth and do the same with my food order if I look hungry. They’re always right. Coffee? The gang at Java Vino has my order in the works by the time I hit the counter.
Nothing says lovin’ like good customer service.
It’s sick, I know, but I wish I could be a regular at The Varsity. Naked dog, onions on the side, bag of strings, small chocolate shake. Same order for the past thirty years. Oh, I’m thirty-two. My family hooked me early on, the bastards.
Taqueria del Sol treats its locals well – it’s part of the payoff for learning all the rules.
Also, Thinking Man Tavern is a great place to be a regular. Darren is the best server in town, and his man Steve is a close runner-up. They’ll bring you your pint before you’ve even settled into your seat.
I’ve always thought the best places are those who treat you like a regular, even when it’s your first time.
The Highlander
Manuel’s Tavern (bar)
Sig Samuel’s Dry Cleaners
Carroll Street Cafe
Dave’s coffee stand in the College of Computing (Tech)
I have been a Regular at a few places depending on where i lived… but i think it has come into clutch the most when there is a long line outside the bar and you are a male and can still get in.
1. Used to be a regular at Atkins, but the guy pulled a gun on a customer and i think was eventually fired. that was cool and scary at the same time.
2. still am a Regular at neighbors, enough to not ever show ID and get in when i get up to the patio entrance
3. QT – never have to show ID to get cigs anymore
4. Mellow Mushroom – hookups for young people
5. moes and joes – it doesnt even matter if youre a regular here, the service is slower than a snails pace. but its nice to not have to show ID when you look like youre 18 all the time.
i guess when you have broccoli for hair, people tend to remember you more… its a phenomenon i have had to deal with. it just sucks when someone recognizes you and you have no fucking clue who they are.
The New York Pizzeria up on Chamblee Tucker — best NY style pizza in town and you can’t beat being greeted by name.