a tribute: the loon

ah, the loon. if you have ever been to dallas and requested a good burger, dive bar, neighborhood hangout, or friendly establishment, most likely you have been led through the familiar swinging door into the greatness that is the loon.

in the spirit of, well, jay, i decided to do some research on my favorite dallas haunt and was interested to learn that it has a long history in our fine town. the spot was originally called "joe miller's" until the silver fox (cliff gonzales) took over fifteen years ago. cliff and his cousins started primo's down the street, and i assume it was the timing of the death of the owner at joe miller's and the opening of primo's that led him to start the loon.

all of those happenings were before my time, but when i moved to dallas in 2000, the loon was rarely crowded and faced an empty plot of land that is now the west village. there was never a line outside, it REAKED of smoke (pre-smoke zapper era), and there was always an open table (and that was before they doubled in size!).

last week there was a fire near the loon and many ramblings that she might have fallen victim to the flames. i must say, i ran to her aid. well, actually i jogged by there that evening, but still - so many fun memories, i had to make sure she was okay. of course, she was fine, still standing proud with her small green awning, inviting us all with open arms.

or as jay would say, "the loon wins."