In Chicago, I used to ride bus 60 every day. Wherever you want to go in life, bus 60 will take you there...Mexico (Pilsen), Italy, Greece, the other Mexico (Little Village), the projects, college (UIC), jail, downtown...the world for $1.75. It might go to Poland too, but I never rode it that far.
Every day on Bus 60, I'd ride past "Homeboy's BBQ", and dream of one day eating there. (It's long gone, and yes, that really was the name of the place.)
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Homeboy's BBQ in 1995...Blue Island Rd. and 16th St. |
As it turned out, several of my students lived in the projects near Homeboy's. One day we got to talking. Although they had never seen a white person inside of Homeboy's BBQ, they saw no reason why I couldn't be the 1st. They offered to give me an escort whenever I was ready to take the plunge.
One hot summer afternoon, my stomach started growling for ribs. I got on my bike and rode over to the projects. Everywhere I rode, people stopped what they were doing, and stared/pointed at me. Eventually I got somewhere near my (ex)student's apartment. A bunch of kids were shooting water guns at each other. Three crackheads were discussing whatever crackheads discuss. Suddenly, one of the crackheads rushed to assist me. He grabbed my handlebars and said, "Lemme hold your bike while you go knock on the door". Meanwhile, the water war was escalating. One kid had filled a 5 gallon bucket with water. What do you suppose those fun-lovin' kids did with that bucket-'o-water? Still hungry, but too wet and scared to care, I pushed the helpful crackhead aside, and got the fuck out of projects. I never did make it to Homeboy's.
West View has its share of intriguing establishments. Check this one out:
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Howard's Tavern, West View, PA |
It's called Howard's Tavern. Wow. It's up there with Homeboy's BBQ on the scary list. I pictured the inside having a big confederate flag on the wall. I imagined they would beat the hell out of unfamiliar intruders, with extra punishment meted out to those lacking sufficient tattoos, or anyone who simply looked too clean.
So...I was talking to Phil today. He works in a hospital. We'll call him Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil told me I MUST go to Howard's Tavern, because they have cheap, decent bar food. Hahahahahaha. I'm no fool. Dr. Phil is a real kidder, and wanted to see the confederates beat my unfamiliar, undirty, untattooed, ass. Sensing my disbelief, he asked his wife to vouch for his recommendation. She's a kindergarten teacher, a solid non-liar. Mrs. Dr. Phil gave Howard's two thumbs up, insisting that I try the soup.
Tonight Zach and I went to Howard's Tavern for dinner. I got a beer (16oz.), a crabcake, soup, a burger, and a pizza. I narly shat when I got the bill - just $12. It was good bar food, and the waitress couldn't have been any nicer. Good times...
