Las Margaritas

1037 E. 17th Ave.
803-2199

Happy Hour: Mondays-Fridays,
4-6:30 p.m.; also 10 p.m.-1 a.m. daily

If there are two things every college student should know, where to get a cheap margarita and where to get cheap food qualify.

Las Margaritas is the simple answer to both, featuring half-price margaritas during happy hour and the best buffet east of Union Station.

Last Thursday, it was evident that Las Margaritas was the place to get the weekend started early with yet another hangover.

First of all, there was not one, not two, but three imitation Cliff Clavens at the bar.

No kidding. They were even wearing full post office regalia, including mace on their belt loops.

And, of course, Darby (who also manages the chaos at 15th St. Tavern on Sunday nights) was more than willing to serve the gang at Cheers, er ... Las Margaritas.

As a matter of fact, Darby was willing to serve anybody ÷ even the Mayberry set.

ãDarby,ä I said, ãwe need a round of tequila shots, fast.ä

Her response: ãWell, I was going to bring you guys a round, but I didnât know how far you wanted to go.ä
 

ãDarby,ä I said, ãweâre going all the way ÷ on the express. We just ran out of beer at home and thought we should come and get some happy hour.ä

It only took the gang from Mayberry about 30 minutes to reduce the happy hour buffet by about 69 percent. Liâl Opie Taylor was content with the cheese enchiladas because now heâs a vegetarian, and Goober and Gomer were grabbing the enchiladas with one plate and piling the chicken wings on to another.

The waitress working our table on the patio asked quite abruptly, ãYou guys want more alcohol or what?ä

And while Goober and Gomer were still plugging away at the free food, I responded: ãHell, yes. Bring it!ä

So next time youâre out looking for your real father ÷ the one who gave you real stamps when you were a kid÷ or when you want to get wasted and eat for free, look no further than the stoplight at Downing and East 17th.

÷Frank Kimitch