Mama's

I mentioned in this post that I was looking for a place to spend my Saturday nights now that Sign of the Whale was no longer an option. For a while I was considering the Ducournau, which was right on Front Street. It was a good restaurant and had a nice, quiet bar. Notice that I said "was" twice. It closed in January. Happily, I have found someplace else.

Mama's is just up the street from the Ducournau and has three things that I find very attractive: a long bar, TVs set on ESPN, and bartenders that I can chat with. It also does not have one very important thing: people that I hate. I don't mean that in a way that pinpoints a particular person or persons. It's just that there's a place out on the bypass called Antoon's that I've been two a few times, and every time a guy walks in the door, it's somebody I want to punch in the face. I don't even know any of them. I just have this gut reaction that I really don't like whoever they are. This does not happen at Mama's.


I think they serve extra-strength Crown & Diet drinks, as I can really only have two if I expect to be able to drive home safely. A big bonus is that Mama's is only about a mile and a half from my house, so I can easily (and safely) walk home should the need arise. Chalk up advantage number one over SOTW. The other big advantage is the food. The burgers at SOTW are excellent, but overall the food at Mama's blows it away. I recommend the alligator (fried or blackened) if you're ever in town.

Alas, though I do like the bartenders I've had, it's just not the same experience chatting with them. Sandy, Liz, Brian, Misty, and Crystal were all around my age range, probably within 3-4 years at the most. They called me either "Scotty", "buddy", or some variation of "sweetie." Talking about the week we had was easy.

In contrast, my last bartender at Mama's looks half my age, wears braces, and calls me "Sir." (I am also informed by someone that she has a baby and doesn't know who the father is, but that's beside the point) Now, I have no objection to being called "Sir" or "Mr. Williams." I like being called "Mr. Williams." But not by my bartender. Most of the staff is either in high school or undergrad and what am I going to talk about with them? There is a bartender on Saturday night I get along well with, so that's nice. Another girl who works there is taking my dad's class, so he and I make sure to tease her mercilessly.

In the long run, I have very high hopes for Mama's. Various family members pop in from time to time to relax and occasionally pick up my tab. C'est nice. I never went out like this when I lived here before, so it's a pleasant new experience for me.