Get On Up

On Monday I went to the Hooters in Council Bluffs and I didn’t see a single owl … not one. However, I did eat some tasty wings and fries and play a little Monday Night Football bingo.

The Hooter’s franchise began in 1983 in Clearwater, Fla. Since then they have branched out – everywhere from Switzerland to Singapore to Council Bluffs – holding substantial assets in 24 countries worldwide. And reports (Wikipedia) indicate that Hooter’s is targeting the U.S. Virgin Islands and the sands of Dubai for their next ventures. What is it that makes this franchise so rounded and able to adapt to diverse markets? We went to Council Bluffs to find out.

Inside of the Hooter’s Council Bluffs location, much like every other Hooter’s, you will find a sports bar atmosphere. Waitresses dressed in tight-fitting uniforms move busily around tables, smiling and taking food and drink orders.

We sat down in front the bar and a beautiful flat-screen TV to watch the Redskins battle the Steelers. Our waitress came along with a beaming smile and had a few words with us. After a couple bumps in the conversation we ordered wings and fries: the staple of the Hooter’s franchise.

“Hooter’s is a place with a laid back atmosphere. The girls [waitresses] are the main attraction because they are fun,” said manager Carrie Turner. “It’s also a place where you can bring the whole family. We have lots of things to keep the kids busy.” At Hooter’s children can keep themselves occupied with scooters, hula-hoops, fun bags, and coloring books.

Radio station Q-98.5 was on location for Monday Night Football, giving away prizes for trivia and football bingo. “98.5 is here every other Monday for the football games,” said Turner. Happy hour runs Monday through from 3-7 p.m. (half-off select appetizers and $6.50 pitchers).

We played a little bingo … my friend racked up the squares. “I think this place could really benefit from some live music,” he said.

“Like what?”

“Like some dueling banjos or maybe even the Pointer sisters … that famous R&B group.”

“C’mon.”

At about this time two waitresses were called up to the front for trivia. The question: “Who are the two vice presidents running in this year’s election?” There was an extended silence. (I thought I heard a meow) before the crowd was finally relieved by the correct answer.

We continued watching the game on one of the 13 TVs inside Hooter’s. The Steelers’ Big Ben went out with a shoulder injury and our waitress brought out the food. She was very attentive and nice, which is not something you get at every restaurant.

“She’s always smiling,” I said.

“Yeah, she must have a case of the jigglies.”

“Dude, all right already.”

“Dirty pillows?”

The food was great, especially the fries. And the bingo really kept us interested in the game at all times. We ended up winning a pair of tickets to see “RocknRolla” at AMC and a couple of coasters. Overall the experience was good: good food, a laid-back atmosphere, bingo and football.

The girls were fun, too. If you are made uncomfortable by their uniforms, then just think of it this way: The Hooter’s Employee Handbook mandates that they wear the uniform and understand that the Hooter’s concept is based on female sex appeal and the working environment is one in which joking and sexual innuendo/regressing to childlike behavior based on female sex appeal is commonplace.

There you have it.

New Benson eatery

G&J’s Kitchen Southern Cuisine – “Omaha’s best southern cuisine and soul food” – has opened in Benson in the former location that housed Sweet Georgine’s Bake Shop.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, G&J’s offers home-style southern cuisine such as catfish, fried chicken, smoked brisket, collard greens and ribs.

Located at 6109 Maple St., B&J’s (502-4419) is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4-9 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 4-11 p.m.

Get your beef on!

Are you busy? Don’t even have time to eat? Well, Burger King has the answer for you: The Angus steak burger with cheese and bacon.

An Angus beef patty the size of your head, grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, steak sauce, bacon, cheese – oh, my!

You can get by with just one of these each day, as it delivers 33g of fat (51 percent of daily value); 15g of saturated fat (75 percent); 215 mg of cholesterol (72 percent); 1990 mg of sodium (83 percent); and 41g of protein (82 percent).

Go ahead, have it your way … .

Another Stokes to open

The Omaha area’s third Stokes restaurant is scheduled to open Tuesday in the former location where the Tasting Room operated at 17520 Wright St.

There are Stokes locations in the Old Market at 12th and Howard streets, and at 646 N 114th St.