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A Tale Of Two Bars
Chicken and Duddley's provide
studies in contrasts - and beer, too
By Jeremy Keddie
The Battalion
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TRY
irds of a feather flock togeth
er” and the same is true for
those who frequent two of
Northgate’s main fixtures -
the Dixie Chicken and Dud-
dley’s Draw.
The burger and beer establishments,
each with its own distinct atmosphere, have
served their varieties of food, drink and en
tertainment to the Bryan-College Station
' oriimuhity sihce the ’7Ds. —
Formerly a pool hall known as The Aggie
Den, the Dixie Chicken has been offering
Aggies a country atmosphere for 20 years.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., “the
Chicken” maintains its reputation as a true
"Texas bar.”
When anyone walks into the Dixie Chick
en, the search for friends and a table de
mands immediate attention. That atmos
phere can intimidate some first-timers, but
they will soon find themselves hollering and
stomping to the music.
The establishment caters mostly to fans
of old country music and is frequented by
those who love playing dominoes. Most
domino lovers prefer the Dixie Chicken to
Duddley’s Draw, arguing that the tables
nd design of the establishment offer a bet
ter atmosphere for games and that the
Chicken simply offers more players.
But choosing either bar has its advan
ces. “Other than domino playing, I prefer
Dudd’s,” David Holden said.
h you tire of dodging the brims of cow
boy hats, Duddley’s Draw, a Northgate
landmark since 1977, is located next to the
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Standing room only crowds are the norm on weekends
in the Chicken, where tables are used to play dominos.
Dixie Chicken and varies sig
nificantly from its neighbor.
Consisting of two rooms sep
arated by the bar, the estab
lishment attracts an “older”
crowd and has been described
as having an intellectual and
laid-back atmosphere.
“At Duddley’s you’re more
likely to run into graduate stu
dents and professors than at
the Chicken,” said A&M stu
dent Tjm Cockerham.
A possible reason for the dif
ference in patrons is simple -
Duddley’s closes the doors to
minors at 8 p.m., leaving the Dixie Chicken
as the only viable option for the under-21
set. Duddley’s Draw provides for a quieter
and at times more relaxed atmosphere for
gathering with friends and discussing the
questions of life - or just how your day
went.
Music forms a second distinction between
the two. The selection at Duddley’s Draw
consists of classic rock and blues, as op
posed to the Chicken’s country flavor.
Although the Dixie Chicken offers the
Deathburger, which is sure to give your
bowels a twist from jalapenos and Tabasco
sauce, those who have problems with caged
rattlesnakes staring at them while they eat
may opt to eat a Duddley’s Delight in the
back room of Duddley’s Draw, where the
wildlife is scarce.
Each bar attracts customers who become
faithful regulars. Many people choose to fre
quent both. Whether it be the atmosphere
or the going rate of a pitcher of beer, it
seems most evident that friends’ tastes
make the difference.
“The main reason why I don’t
go to Duddley’s is because my
friends prefer the Chicken,” said
A&M senior Greg Sparkman.
“And because of the dominoes.”
Both establishments have
porches facing University Drive,
and Cockerham said he believes
the front porch of Duddley’s is the
best place for drinking outside.
The crowd at that spot seems to
indicate that many people share
his view.
Cockerham continued by de
scribing his preference of Dud-
Battalion File Photo
In the 70s, Don Ganter converted the Aggie Den to the
Dixie Chicken; Duddley’s would open a few years later.
dley’s Draw as pertaining to the neutrality
of the establishment.
“They really don’t care what you look like
or who you are,” Cockerham said.
So whether you are looking for a tame
place to philosophize about life or an estab
lishment wild enough to host a pair of rat
tlesnakes, you can find it at Northgate.
Duddley’s patrons gather to talk across tables
notched with years of A&M graffiti.
New clubs set to
break onto scene
Owners of Northgate bars
continue to shape the future of
A&M's traditional nightlife locale
By Christi Erwin
The Battalion
A lthough Duddley’s Draw and The Chicken claim traditional
popularity among Northgate patrons, this stature could fall
subject to change very soon.
In the past few years, clubs and restaurants such as The Cue,
Northgate Cafe, Freebird’s and The Bullseye have opened, vying
for a piece of the A&M market across the street. These establish
ments will soon contend with more competition; however, they may
also enjoy a few improvements.
Shadow Canyon, a country and western dance club to open in
the old Campus Theater building, is set to begin business in late
September or early October.
Don Ganter, owner of the Dixie Chicken and Shadow Canyon,
said he chose the canyon theme because the building, with its high
walls and sunken floor, is shaped much like a canyon.
The club will replace the old theater’s film screen with a stage
and add a balcony encompassing the entire club, thereby utilizing
the original architecture.
Ganter said he hopes to attract Lyle Lovett or Jerry Jeff Walker
to sing in his new club.
Shadow Canyon also will have two bars, upstairs and down
stairs, as well as a large dance floor.
“We will have the second largest dance floor in the county,” he
said. “We are only beat out by the great Texas Hall of Fame.”
He said he will not alter the outside appearance of the theater
because of its historical value. . •
“There is nothing wrong with hanging on to heritage,” he said.
Ganter said he is not too worried that Shadow Canyon will taka
away business from the Dixie Chicken, *
“Shadow Canyon will not be in direct competition with the Dixie
Chicken because it’s a beer joint and Shadow Canyon is a dance
place,” he said. “I hope people will bounce back and forth.”
Another change coming to Northgate is Fitz Willy’s, a bar and
grill to open in mid-August, located in the former Two Pesos build
ing.
Richard Benning, owner of Duddley’s Draw and Fitz Willy’s, said
the menu will offer a variety of foods such as stuffed jalapenos,
hamburgers, chicken and vegetarian dishes.
The restaurant will give customers the option to place orders at
the counter or be served by the wait staff, he said.
Fitz Willy’s differs from other businesses on Northgate because
of its full mixed drink bar.
“I think the clientele, especially the females, will appreciate the
full mixed drink bar and state of the art bathrooms,” he said.
Benning said the music at Fitz Willy’s also makes it different
from the other establishments on Northgate.
“We will play country rock. Not just country and not just rock,”
he said defining the music as ranging from Vince Gill to ZZ Top.
In addition to the attraction of unusual music and a mixed drink
bar, Benning said people will enjoy Fitz Willy’s because it is locally
owned and operated.
“Fitz Willy’s will be local flavor,” he said. “People will recognize
this, and appreciate that it is not another franchise.”
Please see Future/Page 4
The way we were...
Clockwise from right: The Northgate ofthe 1950s; a
view fom campus in 1921; ’50s Cadets window shop
near the present location of the Texas Aggie Bookstore; a
night time shot of the Aggie land Studio on College Main