READERS' PICK: In our daddies' days, men would go to the ballpark to see a game or perhaps gather around a radio at home to listen to one, then all meet down at the corner bar to down a few and replay the game, down by down or inning by inning. Then came television and, as technology is supposed to do, it made things better by combining a couple steps. Now the people could watch the game at the bar! Now if they could only add some over-priced nachos to the mix, it would be almost perfect. Wait, they can! At Famous Sam's they have so many TVs, it's like that commercial where the guy looks in his mailbox and watches a soccer game. They're everywhere; it's like something out of 1984. Throw in some killer grub--huge sandwiches, chicken plates, and some of the best fries around--and you've got sports fan heaven. And while they serve alcohol, it's officially a restaurant, so kids are welcome. Several locations around town are semi-official sites for different NFL teams on Sundays. They have them for the Packers, Broncos, Steelers, and Bears, but none for the Rams because nobody really believes they won the Super Bowl last year.
READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP-TIE: Sakura Sushi Sports Bar, 6534 E. Tanque Verde Road; and Bob Dobb's, 2501 E. Sixth St. Belly on up to the bar, sports fans. At Sakura you can watch your favorite game while nibbling on superb sushi and sipping warm sake. Who said sports fans aren't sensitive? Small and cozy as it is, no seat is out of range of the multiple TV screens lit with every sports channel within Satellite reach. The full bar provides Fat Tire Ale and Foster's on tap, as well as the sports fans faves Miller, Coors and Bud Lite. Happy hour features tempting tempura and spicy wings along with a chance to hone those chopstick skills Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.. Food is served Wednesday through Sunday until 12:30 a.m. Expand your tastes, pizza guys, and impress that date while still catching the game. Complete with arrays of sports regalia., it's a place you don't want to miss. In many ways Bob Dobb's is the ultimate sports bar, as it is frequented not only by fans, but local participants, as well. One of our favorite pastimes is to stop by on high-school basketball night, order a monster-sized burger and fries, and then watch as the coaches from around town gather to compare notes and commiserate. One time two high-profile coaches almost got into it. Their blood was up, their chairs were down and their fists were ready...and then they sat down and had a beer together. But it was fun.
