Burgie

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burgieR.I.P.

The memories are from a long time back, but they are lasting ones. I met Burgie in High School after he and Phil left Bishop Garcia Diego, the cross town Catholic high school, to attend San Marcos High. Weekdays, after school, Burgie worked for his dad and uncles at the El Paseo Restaurant and Somerset, before it closed. He later became the Maitre‘D at the El Paseo and managed that restaurant — many a story I could share, especially some Fiesta ones that would certainly be applicable to this blog/site. Those may remain in memory only, as will Arturo Taylor ‘Burgie’ Perez, Jr., may he rest in peace.

Just to clarify the nickname: The former Burgermeister Brewing Company was partly responsible as was a Leadbetter Beach barbeque held by his father, uncles, family and friends. The beverage in the coolers was, of course, Burgermeister beer and although I can’t name the creator, (this was in the 1960’s and I wasn’t there) one of the family or friends picked up a very young Arturo Jr. and made the reference to holding a ‘burgie’. That was it, he was forever ‘Burgie’. I think I’d known him for a month or so before I even knew what his first name was, maybe even his last name too for that matter. He was simply ‘Burgie’. To this day I haven’t run across one other individual who had the same nickname. So there was never any problem when referring to him, not once did I ever hear someone say; “no, I meant Burgie Perez, not Burgie Jones”, it was unique.

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Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub

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Durty Nelly’s has a heralded ancestry. Based on the original tavern in Ireland, which dates back to 1620. The San Antonio version, built under the Market Street Bridge, has two fireplaces, stone walls in the tradition of European style.

But there are rules…
The rules at Durty Nelly’s are posted, “only two to a stool, no talk of religion or politics and those drinking rum may stand by themselves, preferably near the window.” They do have a slogan as well “The most fun you can have with your clothes on!” — that can certainly be debated. I’ve been to a few Irish pubs, unfortunately all here in the USofA, but a couple were quite ‘lively’. Durty Nelly’s, at least the San Antonio location was more mild than wild. The word ‘durty’ according to the Urban Dictionary implies something is not just dirty, but dirty in a forbidden or taboo way. That we found just up the Riverwalk at Mad Dogs Saloon.

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Dick’s Last Resort is a chain of restaurant/bars across the U.S. The San Antonio location is in the basement (and former morgue) of the historic Nix Hospital. You might miss it if driving down Navarro Street, you’d see the Nix Medical Building which takes up a good portion of the block, but at the end of the building is a sign and door advertising Dick. You wouldn’t miss it by its more popular entrance along the Riverwalk. Advertising ‘Dick’ is everywhere; bar maid t-shirts stating; ‘they’ve got Hooters, we’ve got Dick’, ‘I need a stiff one’, and simply ‘I “heart” Dick’.

Well, if you don’t love Dick, don’t be afraid to just say so. The motto of this place is simply just be ‘rude’. That’s right. Never say ‘please’ and don’t take offense to what is said to you…if you’re quick with the wit, you may even get your drink free. Order a steak medium-rare and you might just be told; ‘maybe, we’ll see, won’t make any promises’.

It’s all in good fun, but I could see where it might be a little confusing for someone who wasn’t expecting this approach. But Dicks San Antonio is embroiled in confusion. The Nix building itself has a confusing history. Research it if you’re really interested, but for starters it starts with two brothers; Joe M. Nix and Joe J. Nix and a son Joe L. Nix. I guess this was the inspiration for George Foreman who named each of his five sons George. Got you beat there Joe Nix, but what did you expect? George was a Champ.

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999 Andante Rd

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Although 999 Andante Rd. cannot be considered a ‘bar’, ‘blue highway’ or ‘backroad’, it certainly holds a few memories as it was the house next door to the parents of my friend Hugh. A good memory was a 4th of July, before the house was built. Hugh had traveled through Scotland and England and a couple he had met were visiting the U.S. and would be staying in Santa Barbara a couple days. Perfect timing — Hugh’s parents were away. These were still the days of digging large pits along Leadbetter Beach and settling in to watch the fireworks show. The bad memory came years later. While this ‘Whalehouse’, a name it is known by, was being built, Hugh’s parents house was broken into. That’s a story for another post as it most definitely involves the España restaurant and pitchers of margaritas.

While I’m not a believer in spiritual meanings, the number 999 does apparently hold some significance. It is associated with ‘the loss of personal belongings’, no, I’m joking, it signifies ‘completion’ and ‘a point of closure’. Yes, I Google’d it and sure enough there’s even a website that explains what to do when you see the number 999. Remember it’s also a mirrored image of the number 666. I’m not sure how street addresses are assigned or selected. Andante Road is a perfect example that shows there is no apparent logic, however on almost every other street, they go in numerical order. If not, think of the poor postman and we don’t want to add on any more stress. Thankfully Andante Road is a short one. It’s private too, so maybe that offers some leeway, but the two addresses at the beginning are 999 and 980. The last house on this short journey is 950. So you’re now thinking… “well I’m no rocket scientist, but I’d say the addresses go from high to low.” No Sherman, wrong you are. Before reaching 950 we drive by 930. Sorry, Mr. Postman, ask the city for an explanation, and also ask why 999 was able to be constructed so close, or possibly over part of Mission Canyon Creek? I think some permits were issued in 1980 for this house that are questionable. But now it all makes sense… 999 … it’s done, completed … closure, especially the building permits book.

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Roy

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Let me just say it up front “Not my style.” While it does serve food late night, and if they haven’t run out by the time you need a feed, the steaks are good. They are, after all, Harris Ranch Beef. Roy is a dimly lit quiet little spot off State on Carrillo St., but too quiet for my liking. I feel like I have to be on my best behavior, so as not to disturb those eating. But I do like the glow from the Jolly Tiger sign.

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Broken Spoke Saloon

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It’s about 7,182 miles from where I live to the Broken Spoke Saloon. It’s about a 7.182 mile drive for Wayne, living now in Hope Island. Like the Giant Sombrero, it’s a place I haven’t been to as yet, but unlike the big cement hat, it’s a place that seems a lot more interesting, certainly more stuff to look at. However, it is my understanding that the owner Malcolm may not be in the best of health, so my chances to wander through his shed have probably been reduced to slim and little.

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Years pass… Wayne has moved up north about an hour to Brisbane, but it may be that Malcolm has ‘moved on’ as well. At least the Broken Spoke has as it now appears to have become a garage. Hopefully, Malcolm simply sold it and has retired, and by that I mean he is still walking and talking…

malcolm“Cheers, Mate!”

Hotel Esplanade

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The Esplanade Hotel was built in 1878 and remains one of the earliest, largest and most prominent 19th century resort hotels in Victoria. Originally intended to be three large terraces, the building was altered to become a hotel during construction, and became one of the premier hotels in Melbourne outside the city. Alterations were made in 1921 changing it from exclusive residential use for the wealthy to incorporate entertainment for the middle classes, with the addition at the ground floor of a grand staircase and lounge bar. Well, thank God for that as all I was interested in was the lounge bar. I was introduced to the Esplanade by Marino (Hey! Marino — I know you’re out there!), as we left Melbourne’s first Chili Cookoff, sponsored by Taco Bill (no, not a spelling error), and full of contestants from our company, primarily those who were there representing Southwestern Bell. — but that’s for another post, and quite a bit more mild than wild — why do you think we walked away in search of a better place to drink. Remember this, it was the first ‘chili cookoff’ in Melbourne. Miss Jalapeño wore blue jeans.

Just to clarify — While similar to any major city throughout the world, Australian cities are full of large high-rise hotels (most all of which contain bars). However, in Australia if you see a charming two-story structure with a large sign that says “Hotel,” you can count on it being a bar, usually with restaurant facilities, but no rooms to let. Basically a ‘hotel’ is a pub.

Okay, more history, but really, it’s the lounge bar and the view across the street of the St. Kilda Harbour and beach, the breeze that flows into the bar off the ocean… right, more history:

Between 1920 and 1925, the “Eastern Tent Ballroom” constructed to the rear of the site became an important jazz venue and dance venue, then the main entertainment district in Melbourne. In the 1970s, the Hotel’s Gershwin Room, a grand dining room, was turned into a disco – complete with flashing Saturday Night Fever-style dance floor.

The Esplanade Hotel was classified by the National Trust of Australia in October 1990.

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