The Library - Southside

Food Models Jon and Tina

The Library in Southside hosts a very special happy hour that holds a dear place in my heart. Twice a day they offer half off craft beers and half off appetizers. The happy hour beer special runs from 5-7 pm and then again from 10-12. Doesn't it sound too good to be true?

When you run an entrenched happy hour for several years, you start to slip. We call this, "happy hour creep." Gradually the bar starts to realize that people are only coming around for the happy hour special and the various price points begin to reflect the behavior of the patrons.

For example, the chicken tenders on the happy hour menu are priced at $10.50 and the nachos are priced at $12.50. While these items are a steal when they are half-off, they are a little overpriced otherwise. By way of comparison, an order of chicken tenders will cost you $8 and an order of chicken nachos will cost you $10 at Carson City Saloon.

The ribs (pictured above) were surprisingly good. Fall off the bone tender and well portioned.  I'd have to say that the ribs are one of the best deals for happy hour. ($8.25)

Billy Goat

The Billy Goat's Gruff has always been one of my favorite dishes at the Library. Stuffed poblano peppers with goat cheese and a choice of meat for $12.50 or $6.25 during happy hour. However, they were remarkably disappointing on this visit. The peppers themselves were basically raw and hastily stuffed with what seemed like mostly cream cheese and some overcooked chicken. I will not be ordering them again.

A few additional warnings. The draft list is extremely confusing, the website is often incorrect about specials and pricing and the menu pictured on Zomato is very outdated. It's unfortunate to watch a fantastic happy hour fall from grace. But perhaps god needed another happy hour in heaven.

Bobby Hendrix

Snacks

So this swanky new joint just popped up on East Carson. Bobby Hendrix is located on 20th street at the site of the old Blue Iguana/City Grille. Bobby did a terrific job renovating the place, it has a a bit of a clubby vibe with a well decorated interior. The aquarium was everyone's favorite decoration, but I particularly appreciate the care they put into renovating the bathrooms. I'm always shocked at how some bar owners in the Southside will dump millions into renovations and completely neglect putting any work into the bathroom.

Fortunately, this is not what the restroom looks like at Bobby Hendrix. However, I believe this photo accurately depicts roughly 70% of the restrooms in the Southside. I think my next project may be The Southside Review of Toilets. The shit I've seen drinking in the Southside - literally.

Anyhow, the food that we tried at Bobby Hendrix was all delicious. I was fairly certain that I'd like everything as I was a big fan of Bobby's work at his last bar, Melange. In particular, my favorites were the hand cut french fries, the black bean hummus and the honey drizzled fried chicken. Bobby is a man who knows his chicken. His breading is a bit on the lighter side and the chicken is always wonderfully seasoned and fried to perfection.

Although it may look like Giles is dipping his chicken wing in the candle, I promise he isn't. Next time I go to Bobby Hendrix I'm looking forward to trying the buffalo chicken mac and cheese and something on a pretzel bun. I love those damn pretzel buns.