Dixie Chicken (bar)
The Dixie Chicken, also known as The Chicken, is a bar located in College Station, Texas, directly across the street from the Texas A&M University campus. The Dixie Chicken claims to serve the most beer per square foot of any bar in the United States.[1]
“One of the most recognizable
The Dixie Chicken was founded by local businessmen Don Anz and Don Ganter. The bar opened on June 15, 1974.[9] It soon became a favored hangout of Texas A&M students and aspiring singers Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett. The two often brought their guitars to the bar and played impromptu concerts on the back porch. In the beginning, they were often kicked out of the bar, but as their playing improved, the owners allowed them to stay and play.[9]
The bar was the inspiration for the unofficial Texas A&M Tradition of "ring dunking".
The Dixie Chicken was expanded in 1981, and in the mid-2000s an additional porch was added.
In April 2006, the Dixie Chicken was named "College Bar of the Month" in
Bottle Cap Alley separates the Chicken from the Dry Bean Saloon. In the early days of the bar, the workers would have so many bottle caps from all the bottled beer that was served throughout the day that they started putting them up and down the alley. Today it's a landmark that encourages visitors to bring and dump their own bottle caps to be a part of the tradition. In recent years, with more people buying beer by the pitcher, different beer companies have contributed their caps to make sure the alley stays beautiful year around.[citation needed] On the night of May 27, 2020, heavy rain and hail caused the roof of the Chicken to cave in. Additional details are forthcoming.[16]
References
- ^ Playboy Magazine. Archived from the originalon 2006-04-28. Retrieved 2006-04-27.
- ^ Clair Lavender (2008-09-03). "Students rave about restaurants in College Station that not only define a community, but a culture". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ISBN 9780738579559
- ^ Mark Schabach (2006-08-14). "Texas A&M hoops finds place on football's back". ESPN. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ Hensley, Laura (2006-09-23). "Promenade drinking ban sends crowds to other bars". The Eagle. Archived from the original on 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
- ^ Luke Jackson (2004-11-22). "Dixie Chicken owner Don Ganter dies". The Battalion. Retrieved 2009-02-04.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g Salazar, Andrea (June 12, 2014), "Dixie Chicken to celebrate 40 years of business on Northgate", The Bryan-College Station Eagle, retrieved Dec 11, 2014
- ^ Eden, Scott (November 26, 2014), The Burning Desire of Texas A&M, ESPN
- ^ a b c d Hlavaty, Craig (June 13, 2014), "College Station's legendary Dixie Chicken celebrates a milestone", The Houston Chronicle, retrieved Dec 11, 2014
- ^ Jenna Janik (2005-09-26). "Unofficial tradition of ring dunking began on accident". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ Victoria White (2005-04-14). "Drinking on the Northgate promenade will not be allowed for Ring Day". The Battalion. Archived from the original on 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ Lindsay Liepman (2004-11-23). "Dixie Chicken Owner Dies". KBTX-TV. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ The 25 Best College Campus Bars, Complex.com, April 2013, retrieved December 11, 2014
- ^ George W. Bush (2008-12-12). "Bush Delivers Commencement Address at Texas A & M University". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- ^ "Bush mentions local bar in speech". The Eagle. 2008-12-13. Archived from the original on 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
- KBTX. 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2020-05-28.