Bacalls and Soccer Camp Tradition

As mentioned at first, some of our regular neighborhood places we do not consider dives as part of our adventure but they each deserve to be written about.  One of those is Bacalls Cafe on Hamilton Ave in College Hill.

Tracy and I recently enjoyed Bacalls as one of our annual traditions.  While our girls were doing the McAuley High School soccer camp, we walked to Bacalls for a few beers and appetizers.  As other parents linger and watch the camp, we leave the McAuley parking lot looking like two fit and committed soccer moms, setting out for a brisk walk and brisk conversation.  On other evenings we would have walked the streets around McAuley, enjoying the brick, stone and cobble homes but this evening we head straight to Bacalls.

We like Bacalls for the quiet intimate dining and bar area. We sit at a high top in the bar where we can see the magnificent wooden bar. There are just a couple TVs so fans can keep up on the games but they are subtle enough not to disturb the evening.

It is an appetizer kind of night.  Tracy and I love onion rings, Bacalls offers onion straws which are tasty but no comparison to onion rings.  We do like their ranch fries made with waffle fries. I also ordered their blackened quesadilla which is loaded with sauteed onions and green peppers, a side of black bean and corn salsa tops this one off.  The beers are big, cold and served promptly. We reluctantly admitted it was time to head back to camp, it is all too tempting to linger longer in this laid back cafe.
Although soccer is what brought us together, it is not what keeps us together anymore. It is still comforting to continue some of the same soccer traditions while we can. Our girls have done the McAuley camp for five years.  As they enter high school next year, there is just one more year of soccer camp for them.  There are many more years of T and L walking over to Bacalls as one of our favorite, close neighborhood bars.