Checkers

What a great little bar!  A little too far off the beaten path for a repeat visit from us, but that is definitely not because of anything other than location, location, location.  The bartender here was great.  The seats at the bar were packed full of regulars; but the bar wasn't busy by any means.  It was a Monday! The bartender immediately got us drinks, I don't think I had even taken my coat off before it was in front of me--and she was just as quick to strike up good conversation. For a bar that relies on many regulars, she wasn't afraid of "newbies." They have a menu, but its fairly small, and we didn't order anything other than beer. Checkers menu is your standard "small iowa bar" fare that we have run into frequently in our bar tour so far, which means broasted chicken and fried food.  One thing that I loved was that the beers come in small mason jars.  ("I like to drink my beer from a Mason Jaaarrrrrrrr. Ohhh oh! I love this Bar!" Thanks Toby Keith!) I am not sure why, but drinking out of a mason jar always makes me smile.  There is a lot of racing memorabilia here, and that explains the name.  Jen noticed an autographed piece of table in a glass case, which means celebrity!!! Whoo hoo! She said, "Jimmy Johnson has been here!" and I replied, "Jimmy Johns is here?! I love their subs!" Turns out he is a Nascar driver. They have live music every Friday night, and all sorts of lunch and dinner specials during the week.  We stayed for quite a few, and begrudgingly moved on--only because there were more bars to visit on the list.  We might pop in to this bar again if we are ever on that side of town for anything because it is definately our kind of relaxed bar, and who can argue with good service?  P.S. We probably have to go back because they had some kind of electronic shuffle board thing that Jen said we had to try but didn't. P.P.S. Jen says the women's restroom has a "hand-me-down" waste receptacle from a fast food joint. Swinging door and all!

3120 6th Street Southwest, Cedar Rapids, IA