02.25.2008
Alamo Lounge more than rough exterior
 |
Stacey Potts looked up from her spot at the small bar table at Alamo Lounge and watched one of the regulars beg the pool ball not to settle into the hole.
“It’s all over a dollar,” she said, turning her attention back to her husband, Mike Potts.
About a month and a half ago, the couple fulfilled Mike’s dream of owning a bar and grill after they bought the small Shelton Avenue restaurant.
Some might be weary of the 45-year-old building because of its rough appearance, but to the regulars, it is a little bit of home.
The grill is a mixture of faces and knickknacks. There is a subtle tribute to Dale Earnhardt, which will take up an entire wall by the time Mike is finished with it.
The buck head above the mantle is flanked by trophies and a movie poster featuring Humphrey Bogart - which Mike claims, “I had nothing to do with.”
“The best thing about coming here is how friendly everyone is, good food and cold beer,” said patron David Payne. “Most people get the wrong impression abut the Alamo because they think it’s on the wrong side of town.”
Payne said that’s a reputation the small bar and grill doesn’t deserve. He used to bring his son there to play video games while he shot pool.
Children play pinball and video games while their parents sit around talking about their week.
“You would think a bar is no place for a kid,” Mike said, but the regulars certainly aren’t afraid to bring their children in for a game of pinball and a basket of fries.
Ben Harman, another patron, said there are a lot of family-oriented activities at the Alamo. For example Family Karaoke is every Wednesday night.
Harman pointed to a little girl, Regan Robinson, who was playing with a stuffed rabbit at a nearby table.
“She rocks the house,” he said.
Allan Payne, the former owner of the Alamo Lounge, said he sold it because he wanted to semi-retire, and Mike, who used to drive a truck for Bartlett Mills across the street, came at the right time.
“The fondest memories I have of this place are the people who have been here and gone,” Payne said.
The Potts said owning the Alamo is hard work, but it has its rewards.
For example, it gave Mike the opportunity to bring back the Post Office Fish Sandwich recipe his father left him.
“He sells out of that,” Stacey said.
The couple has also added barbecue and rib eye sandwiches to the menu.
“We are just good people and want to run a good, friendly bar,” Mike said as he slipped out of his chair and walked back to the kitchen to start cooking again. “We want to see so-me new faces around here, too.”
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Stacey Potts serves Ben Holsker Saturday afternoon at the Alamo on Shelton Avenue. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) photo.