J-L HIDEOUT SALOON

This place is not messing around. The first thing I saw on the door when I arrived was a sign advertising tickets for a gun raffle. Then I walked in and everybody at the bar turned around and looked in my direction. Pretty sure I would’ve heard a record needle scratch if there had been a jukebox playing. Just to be clear, it didn’t feel unfriendly, but it seemed like there aren’t a lot of out-​of-​towners walking through that door. But I also had the feeling that they could throw an amazing party there once things get rolling. If you look at the pictures they’ve uploaded, you’ll get an idea of the vibe. Personally I’m fascinated by the idea that this bar has a drag show. It’s hard to imagine, but I’d love to be there when it happens.
As for the food… I was there on a Taco Tuesday. I didn’t order a taco, but I saw them, and they are ENORMOUS. Basically the size of a gyro. Not quite like any taco I’ve ever seen before, so if you order one, be ready for a surprise. I was tempted by the fried frog legs, but the waitress was skeptical, so I opted for the donkey shoe instead. If you’ve ever had a horseshoe sandwich in Illinois, you know the idea — it’s basically an open-​faced hamburger on Texas toast, with about two pounds of crinkle-​cut french fries piled on top, mixed with some bits of bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and with cheese sauce over the whole thing. Sort of like if you made nachos with french fries instead of chips, and then dumped them over a hamburger. I’m not sure I’d necessarily order it on a regular basis, but if I was 14 years old (or stoned) I definitely would.