Back Diving at "The Chicken"

We returned to our first regular dive adventure of 2011 in March, it was Tracy's Mike turn.  Mike's only problem with diving is deciding which one to pick. He has long list of suggestions ready.  The first stop was for appetizers at Hooligans on Highland Avenue near Pleasant Ridge.  During the summer months it is a busy place with sand volleyball leagues.  This relatively early March evening it was quiet. 

Mike brought us to Hooligans for one specific appetizer - the stuffed banana peppers.  The Taste of Cincinnati award winning peppers are stuffed (full!) with jack cheese wrapped in an egg roll, then deep fried. The thick marinaro sauce worked well with the peppers.  The service was poor but we were not shy about  helping ourselves to ordering at the bar.  The peppers made up for the service, they were the perfect way to start the evening. Any return to Hooligans would be specifically for the peppers.

The next stop had been a regular stop for Mike and Tracy but was new to us.  We had heard of it and were anxious to try it out - Chicken on the Run on Ohio Avenue in a qiuet Deer Park neighborhood.  It  is most commonly referred to as just 'The Chicken'.  The inside was open and perfect for large groups, there were many families and teams enjoying The Chicken that night. The restaurant had grown over the years and had taken over the business next to it.  This backroom was full of arcades making it a favorite place for kids.  We didn't notice if there was even chicken on the menu - I doubt it.  The cheeseburger was great as anticipated and the onion rings did not disappoint.  The atmosphere is one that only small local bars can duplicate.  Especially when one can leave and step into a quiet neighborhood of small cape cods and wonder how many of these small local places we have lost. It is no wonder that The Chicken is so popular with crowds of all ages.

"The Chicken" scored points with Mickey on the beer selection. Unfortunately he had difficulty holding his beer that night - literally. Mickey's slippery fingers almost gave Mike a beer bath from across the table.  The waitress was more than happy to replace his beer and see that he didn't have any more problems that night.

On the way to The Chicken, we had noticed a new place on Montgomery Road just north of Pleasant Ridge.  It was outside of the business district so the lights and crowd was easy to notice.  After The Chicken we stopped to check out HD Beans and Bottles Cafe. It is what its name implies a coffee shop with a selection of over 80 bottled beers.  There was a small back room set up for live music on Friday and Saturday nights.  That evening the large crowd was there for a fundraiser for the local Catholic school, Nativity.   Although the coffee smell was tempting we all stuck with beer, and just enjoyed the aroma.

It was a nice place to visit but I wasn't sure if it was a coffee house, a bar, or a sandwich shop with carryout.  It felt like it was searching for its identity. 

Another successful evening of diving and feeling back in the groove.  With warmer weather around the corner, we can't wait to explore outside patios.