Grill

Still working on getting something written up from last Sunday's All Soul's Precession. I'd like to get something published in a travel magazine as this year's event was massive. I'll try to at least get a start of my piece up on the blog soon. Anyways, I'm looking forward the the big football game tonight. I hear ESPN is going to broadcast from campus at next week's game against Oregon if we beat Cal tonight. As for now I'm sitting on campus while my other half volunteers at an event for the State Museum. I'm working on getting my ducks in a row for the rest of this semester. This year has flown by far too fast. I heard from an old friend today who's living in Washington. I think I'm going to plan a trip up there in Spring and visit Vancouver as well. It was good to hear from him and I'm glad I have a trip to look forward to because I just love to travel - It's a trip.
In following with my semester goal to get more freelance work published, here is a piece I recently revised about a downtown restaurant called the Grill. I'm thinking about seeing if the Weekly will give me a few bucks for it...

At 100 East Congress St. in Downtown Tucson, nestled between Wig-O-Rama and the hard-music playing Vaudeville Cabaret, stands a landmark known for severing greasy favorites 24 hours a day.

It’s called Grill, and it’s a classic diner with modern attitude.

“A few things you should know. This is not your house. This is our house,” states Grill’s menu in bold.

But for many Tucsonans, Grill is a home away from home.

The location has been a diner since the 1930s and black and white pictures that hang on the Grill’s back wall prove it.

Called “Grill” for the past 15 years, the diner serves a variety of classics such as eggs, pancakes, rib eyes, meat loaf, burgers, pastas, cake, grilled cheese sandwiches and BLTs.

They’re simple dishes but Grill succeeds.

Grill takes pride in freshness. Entries are made to order and desserts and soups are made daily.

If you want a filling meal for less than 10 dollars, and you like your food served with ketchup and mustard, Grill is your place.

What’s Grill’s most popular dish? Tater tots.

What’s special about the tots? Nothing at all, they’re just plain tots. But you haven’t tasted tots until you’ve tasted them at the Grill. This diner isn’t just about the food. Grill’s charm is the special ingredient.

Grill has character. The tiled floor is worn on the aisles between booths and chances are you’ll find a hole or two on your seat’s retro plastic upholstery.

The 1970s venting and lighting will make you feel like you’re in a cholesterol-filled version of Back to the Future.

The simple kitchen is humble and honest, visible from most of the dining room.

A service area cuts through the middle of the diner where servers prepare drinks and desserts, including ice cream and milkshakes at an old-fashioned diner bar.

If your bathroom deed requires sitting, you may want to wait. Grill’s bathrooms would be more fitting at a punk rock club with their leaky faucets, black walls and green graffiti-covered tiles.

Offended? Go to IHOP.

At Grill, imperfections are embraced. Grill is like a historic landmark. Imperfections are what make it great.

On the cover of Grill’s menu reads, “Fine dining. Full Bar. Live Music. Catering. World Domination.”

Fine dining? Hardly. World Domination? Grill is as non-corporate as it gets.

You won’t find a dress code here and that includes the help. Grill’s staff is as individualistic and unique as the diner itself. Servers, whose personal hygiene can be questionable at best, aren’t bashful wearing nose rings, wild sideburns or black clothing that reveal vulgar tattoos.

When they’re not waiting on you, staff can be seen hanging out front on Congress Street, enjoying a cigarette between orders.

Their attitude and attire would be repulsive at Applebee’s but at Grill, it works.

Show up in sweats for a late-night study session or stumble in after a night on the town. You’ll be comfortable at Grill.

Maybe that’s why the spot is a popular downtown meeting place.

A table by the diner’s entrance is reserved for flyers promoting art shows and poetry readings. Grill’s front window is covered with posters for upcoming concerts in town.

Grill is conveniently located on Congress Street, walking distance from Club Congress, District Tavern, Sharks Nightclub and Vaudeville Cabaret.

And with the diner located two blocks from the Rialto Theatre, concertgoers can grab a bite after rocking out.

Peak hours at the Grill are from 2 a.m. until 3 a.m., when patrons soak up drinks with some fried grub or sip coffee with friends who aren’t willing stick a fork in the night.

In a way, Grill is a bar in itself. The Red Room, a full bar connected to the diner, offers patrons beer, wine and cocktails, which can be served along side a meal in the dining room.

Red Room hosts an event nearly every night, from DJs spinning vintage records, to local bands jamming or simply a wannabe musician playing an acoustic set for a small group of friends.

Grill’s marquee is illuminated all night and has become iconic for Tucsonans who hang downtown. Its green and white lights represent a safe house and a warm meal.

You won’t find chicken cordon bleu and crème burle. Rather, chicken fried steak and ice cream with chocolate syrup.

The Grill has it self figured out. It knows what is it and does it consistently well.

It’s offers place to put your feet up and relax with a bowl of vegetable soup or a Ruben sandwich served on marble rye.

It doesn’t aim to impress or be something it’s not. It simply delivers day in and day out.

That’s Grill.