DISQUS

wordslinger · 3 months ago

My first horseshoe sandwich. At 21, I thought it was the greatest culinary advancement of all time.

Now, the mind might be willing, but the body protests. Often. Late into the night.

I'm just saying · 3 months ago

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drinking with Paul Lis :)

Little Egypt · 3 months ago

Horseshoes.

47th Ward · 3 months ago

Sitting at the bar across from Pate Phillip, in all his smoky majesty, and listening to him opine on all that was wrong with Cook County. Love him or hate him, Pate wasn't afraid to tell anyone exactly what was on his mind. And he didn't sugarcoat it either, straight talk laced with profanities.

Good times.

David Starrett · 3 months ago

The excellent prime rib. Also knowing that I could always find Doug Finke and Bill Luking there after 10:00p.

GOP · 3 months ago

Denny Jacobs...need I say more??!!

Captain Flume · 3 months ago

Taking my son there for lunch one day. He was about 15 and really liked the atmosphere. Me, too.

Also being jammed into an impossibly tight seating arrangement on a jazz night.

Anon · 3 months ago

Watching Bree serve drinks while listening to Denny Jacobs, Jim Anderson and Bob Swaim tell the same story over and over and over again. :)

Joe Schmoe · 3 months ago

Kenny Watson, Ed Nash, et al.
Yes, I am reallllly dating myself.

Oh yes, the sewer gas. Surprised we all lived.

Anonymous · 3 months ago

Word: sounds like you just need some rest, honey! Stop blogging so late at night, and go do the old bod some good, boy!

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Most of my favorite memories are unprintable. lol

But here are two that aren't...

When Terry Deering stopped Don Saltzman from beating the tar out of Jim McPike. Terry was the only one big enough in the group to hold Don back. Glad he was there. Quite a night. God rest your soul, Terry.

When Pate Philip fired Paul Lis. Paul said "You can't fire me, I work for Carter [Pate's chief of staff]!" They really went at it. My parents were at my house waiting for me, but I didn't want to miss a second of that one.

Anonymous45 · 3 months ago

I just loved the lighting...everyone looked way better than in those well lit watering holes...I used to stop by there cause the EPA crowd hung out there...cold vodka, good times, good laughs, bad stairs...

Rep David Miller · 3 months ago

Former Mayor and Good Friend Joe Szabo singing

publius · 3 months ago

walking in on a snowy night to the warmth of the fireplace---and any night when my aunts or uncles from oregon or new york were in town---cause they always wanted to go to norbs as they did in the old days when they were young

VanillaMan · 3 months ago

The backroom. It is where deals are made. Ugly ones. Ones that are not to be in print, or uttered outside it's vault-like walls. There is one entry into this place and you can't get in there without being scrutinized. The backroom at Norb Andy's is where virginity was lost for generations of our political leaders. You just can't wash away the stink of the ugly carnality from it's brick walls.

Secret Square · 3 months ago

Not long before it closed last time, I met a woman tending bar there who was very friendly, and told me a lot that I needed to know as a person who was new to Springfield (in the geographic, social, and political sense). She left shortly afterward, I don't know what became of her, and I don't remember her name.

Secret Square · 3 months ago

Just to clarify, I'm female, married, and middle aged, as was the lady I'm referring to.

Wilecoyote · 3 months ago

Rich: I heard about that incident with Terry D. He was quite the man. I was with him at Gateway Raceway a few hours before his tragic death. The funeral was in DuBois in Washinton County. Maybe 300 in the village with one Catholic church and two taverns! The population tripled for his funeral. Many of us stood outside. Re: the question, the horseshoes that always tasted better later in the evening.

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Wilecoyote, I was at the funeral. You're right about us visitors doubling the town's population. It was quite something, and incredibly moving and uplifting.

The night before the funeral, many of us gathered to remember Terry, and most of those fond memories, including the Saltsman thing, related somehow to our time at Norb's.

Michelle Flaherty · 3 months ago

Starrett,
Are you sure it was Finke and not Schnorf or Dobmyer?

I recall now-President Obama once coming in after a first day or last day of session party, not sure which.

And I recall then-Sen. Denny Jacobs getting the post-midnight news that Blago was going to hike riverboat taxes in his budget speech. His reaction would get me banned for life.

Wilecoyote · 3 months ago

And driving up to meet old friends such as brothers Tim & Barry Mc, Gene Callahan, and the old Phil Rock staff including the late Danny Day.

Greg B. · 3 months ago

Everything about the place...

David Starrett · 3 months ago

Michelle,
Yup, Steve and Doug too. Also Denny and Danny Burke and Lou Lang and, and, and... Can't forget Rich.

Dan Vock · 3 months ago

It's definitely not a favorite memory, but the thing I remember most is going there after the attacks on September 11. The whole Capitol complex shut down and people just wanted to be together to try to make sense of the tragedy. Norb's was packed.

Cranky Old Man · 3 months ago

The chiliburger horseshoe. It would cure what ailed ya......or at least distract you from it.

Didn't know about the Saltsman/McPike thing. That would have been a 2 hit fight. DS would have hit him and JM would have hit the floor.

Jak Tichenor · 3 months ago

Any night when Emmett McNamara of the I.B.E.W.was holding court. Whenever a story started out with the words..."Many years ago"...(and they almost always did), you knew you were in for the duration but the pay-off was always worth the wait. I hope the new owners will keep his picture in a place of honor.

steve schnorf · 3 months ago

OK, if we're going to reminisce, what are folks' memories of the Caucus Room, where I spent a lot more time than at Norb's? Or, what about the Sazarac? Or the northeast corner of 4th and Jefferson (the Sulky Room, something like that?) the Illinois?

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Schnorf, stick to the question, please.

Louis Howe · 3 months ago

I've been going to Norb's since the early 1970's. I really missed the piano and live music. Rich, that wasn't the first time McPike and Saltsman nearly came to blows. McPike was in the House Chair and said something Don didn't like....Saltsman charged out of his front aisle seat but couldn't get to him through the crowd around the podium. Saltsman didn't like Jim competing with him for labor's support, especially on pension bills.

steve schnorf · 3 months ago

I accept my chastisement with good grace, even given the source.

Ghost · 3 months ago

I remember being afraid of the entrance, I always felt like it needed a sign which read "abandon all hope ye who enter here" to make it more inviting.

Been There · 3 months ago

One of my many favorite memories was not actually inside Norbs but out on the sidewalk patio. It was one of those hot days during the summer that we were down for some reason. Denny Sexton, Emmett and Bill Nelligan were there along with the mayor of some small town (Dixon??). I joined them to be entertained by Nelligan who was already in rare form. I forgot her name but one of the daytime bartenders who kind of managed the place pulled up and let her dog out of her car. The dog for some reason went right for the crotch of the mayor. He didn't get hurt at all but it just added hours of material to Nelligan's comedy shtick, all of which is unprintable here.

I always hanged my hat there and some other watering holes are going to see their sales go down since I won't spend as much in their places and will be back at Norbs. Looking forward to it opening.

Linus · 3 months ago

My future wife and I had our first date at Norb's ... a summertime lunch date, nearly 20 years ago. And I'm still happily married today, to that very woman, despite the debilitating effects of horseshoe sandwiches.

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Here's another one...

For a while, Tom Irwin and Raoul played on, I think, Friday nights at Norb's. So, I would go listen to them play and many of my hippie friends were there, along with several Statehouse friends. Very weird juxtaposition in that crowd, and it always made my nights interesting.

Michelle Flaherty · 3 months ago

Rich, The ideas/deals struck between the hippies and the cronies on those nights are probably why we are where we are. Then again, the state mostly went to hell after Norb's closed so maybe it's the solution.

Commonsense in Illinois · 3 months ago

Nobody has mentioned how the woman in the kitchen (can't think of her name) would get soused on Saturday nights and chase the other employees around with a 10-inch knife. Ah...the memories.

john · 3 months ago

listening to the great jazz on weekend evenings. judge crain played a great trombone!

those martini's in the swirl glasses were very nice too

Michelle Flaherty · 3 months ago

Plus Norb's provided a boost to the area's dry cleaning business. There were few other ways to get that Norb Andy's smell out of your sport coat.
Of course that was pre-smoking ban era. I'm sure it'll be as fresh as a new administration in this new era.

VanillaMan · 3 months ago

Obama! - The Kinks, enhanced by VanillaMan

I met him at Norb Andy's in old Springpatch
Where you eat horseshoes and they feel like a gut bomb-a
B-o-m-b-a bomba
He walked up to me and gave me that smile
I asked him his name and in a dark brown voice he said Obama
O-b-a-m-a Obama O-O-O-O Obama

Well I'm not the worlds most excitable guy
But when he squeezed my hand it was love at first sight
Oh my Obama O-O-O-O Obama

Well I'm not dumb but I can't understand
Why he throws like a girl and talks like a man
Oh my Obama O-O-O-O Obama O-O-O-O Obama

Well we ate horseshoes in the backroom that night
Under a Norb Andy's smokey light
He made sweet deals I couldn't believe
And said dear boy won't you support me?

Well Im not the world's most passionate pol
And he was a guy who sure couldn't bowl, my Obama
O-O-O-O Obama O-O-O-O Obama
Obama O-O-O-O Obama O-O-O-O Obama

I pushed him away
I walked to the door
I fell to the floor
I got down on my knees
Then I looked at him as his new endorsee

Well that's the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Obama
O-O-O-O Obama
Pols will do wrong and pols will do right
But I upheld the promise I made that night for Obama
O-O-O-O Obama

Well I cut that deal just months before
And I'd never thought about bein' governor before
But Obama smiled and took me by the hand
And said dear Kirk I'm gonna make you a man

Well Im not the world's most masculine man
But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man
And so is Obama
O-O-O-O Obama O-O-O-O Obama
Obama O-O-O-O Obama O-O-O-O Obama

The Loon · 3 months ago

I was there late one night when a certain gentleman was tending bar. Myself included, there were about six or eight of us sitting around the horse shoe bar.

Well, each time this bartender would serve a drink to a patron, he would help himself to a drink of his own. And as you may imagine, the night went downhill fast.

After a couple hours of serving himself drinks, this bartender stopped collecting money from us patrons who, of course, continued ordering drinks. I'm not sure, but I think the man was no longer mentally capable of processing the idea
of money. Yet, he was up to the task of preparing and serving more drinks! And he did!

So, there we all were -- everybody at the bar drinking for free, enjoying the antics of a crazed bartender, and all getting completely sloshed.

That's when it got truly nuts. In the midst of this sloppy drunken frenzy, the bartender's ex-girlfriend shows up for a drink. As it turns out, this bartender had not yet gotten over the loss of this girlfriend, and so he proceeded (in terms that would not be appropriate for this blog) to loudly and repeatedly proclaim his manhood to this young lady.

Then he disrobed. No, I'm not kidding.

This bartender, while continuing to serve additional (free) drinks from behind the bar, proceeded to remove all of his clothes except his underwear. He got down to tighty wighties (and nothing more) and proceeded to drink, yell, drink, serve more drinks, and then drink some more for a couple more hours.

I have no idea how any of us got home that night, but as far as I know we all somehow survived.

I also have no idea why, in the wasted state that this man was in, he retained the good sense to keep on his underwear. But I'm sure glad that he did.

formerGOPer · 3 months ago

Having my first meal with my future husband. After 16 years we're still going strong.

Chicago Cynic · 3 months ago

Standing in line to get into the place when Pate Philip stormed in and shoved my 5' wife to the side without even so much as an "excuse me." Classy guy.

That and drinking with Paul Lis and Steve Brown. It was my early days in the patch and it was quite the education.

wordslinger · 3 months ago

Don Saltsman was what you would call a tough old union guy. From Peoria. Serious man.

If you think about it, Denny Jacobs is probably the most honest person you'll ever meet. The guy can't help but telling you the truth.

From the VMan:

--The backroom at Norb Andy's is where virginity was lost for generations of our political leaders. You just can't wash away the stink of the ugly carnality from it's brick walls.==

My congratulations to those generation of political leaders. Me, I just had a good time.

As far as the washing problem, a little elbow grease goes a long way.

VMan, I gotta party with you, dude.

Keyser Soze · 3 months ago

All of the above resonate with me, and yes, I too met our president at Norb's. Government seemed to work better when the place was open. This also brings to mind Mike Murphy and the strange concoction of his that involved coffee and some sort of booze topped with a half a pack of smokes.

CircularFiringSquad · 3 months ago

Obama bumming smokes

Fish proving they could live through a level 99 smog alert

Lee Daniels' staff reviewing their:
a. love for the anti-Christ
b. dismay over lawyer costs

Levi voted for Judy · 3 months ago

During session, the hourly threat from John Reilly to pop me in the mouth if I didn't make it to Rend Lake soon.

Team Sleep · 3 months ago

I'm too young for any of those memories. Norb Andy's was the place to go on a Saturday night once D'Arcy's Pint became too busy and we needed a place to get a horseshoe, a few black-n-tans and a close proximity to downtown.

katiecanoe · 3 months ago

First and foremost, I met my future husband there after work one night, and then pretty much every weeknight afterward for years. Other than that, what stands out the most is not a specific incident, but the community of regulars and all those hours of drinking and talking together. It was quite the education for a newbie statehouse reporter!

Justice · 3 months ago

I miss the jazz on Fridays while eating the best catfish with Patty F., Mrs. O'Conner, and the rest of the clan! I loved the place and am glad they are opening back up! Yahoo!

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Frankly, by the end the place was just annoying. I couldn't take it any more. But I did have some great memories.

katiecanoe's future husband and I came up with a great money-making idea one night for the bar. But, again, that's unprintable.

Ah, memories.

dominique · 3 months ago

The night you were trying to bag the babe and your credit card was declined and she promptly announced you couldn't afford her. Error with the credit machine but hilarious nonetheless

Beans · 3 months ago

Dad took me there for soup and a horseshoe in, oh, 1978 or so. First real meal out alone with dad -- very, very fond memories. The other times, not so much memory left!

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

dominique, those were the days.

Anon3 · 3 months ago

I really enjoyed listening to Denny Jacobs tell stories etc. He is always good for a laugh.

Also, watching a coworker at the time trying to scam women and crashing and burning it was a side show to say the least.

Seeing Rich at 130am and reading the fax in the morning thinking how does he do it!

Icebreaker · 3 months ago

Wow, all of these memories are blowing me away ... things I haven't thought about in ages. I don't think we can even begin to hope to get all that back (we're too old for one thing), but I for one am looking forward to putting it to the test! Go Jeopardy!

Icebreaker · 3 months ago

Wow, all of these memories are blowing me away ... things I haven't thought about in ages. I don't think we can even begin to hope to get all that back (we're too old for one thing), but I for one am looking forward to putting it to the test! Go Jeopardy!

Icebreaker · 3 months ago

Sorry about the double-click!

Esteban · 3 months ago

Hoisting a few there with Henry Hyde, Kenny
Boyle, and Joe McGaw

one day at a time · 3 months ago

They served us when we were 18 years old

Anonymous · 3 months ago

=============
...I don’t think we can even begin to hope to get all that back (we’re too old for one thing),...

=============

I'd rather believe--as a wise old man once said--that the best years are still ahead of us. (I think he said something about the POTUS, too, but can't remember what it was.)

I'm Just Saying · 3 months ago

Pearson Driving me home in the Fiero :)

Bigfoot · 3 months ago

Why do you take the news about Norb's ("the setup") directly from the SJ-R's Sunday A La Carte column (exact wording) and not credit the paper?

Shammer · 3 months ago

Missing Kerry Turner passing out his coupons during NFL season. "Hey Brother, you need one of these moneymakers."

Joe Schmoe · 3 months ago

Remember, Pearson's Fiero parked behind the apartment on Canedy(?) Street at the railroad tracks. Home sweet home in the real early days. Would you ever live there now???

Anonymous · 3 months ago

Mmmmmmmm...coconut cake!!!

piglet · 3 months ago

Went there for years....enjoyed the food, the jazz, the crowds and all of the eclectic people. Hope they make it work.

Curleyfry · 3 months ago

Chris with her long beautiful hair greeting everyone that walked down the "Cheers" like staircase. It was a place "where everybody knows your name". Good luck......hope you can make it. My friend L always went shopping with her dad at Christmas and it was tradition to stop there for lunch. Such traditions are great memories!

JJ · 3 months ago

Emmett (they better re-hang his picture)
Denny (and Mrs. Jacobs & Mike)
John Cross
Jim Anderson
trivia
great friends
good food
Dave & Kate
everyone getting along no matter what party affiliation
I probably forgot a lot of people but Norb's (and Sam's) were the best for the political crowd. I look forward to the re-opening and many memories to come.

piglet · 3 months ago

Emmett's picture should be rehung...but most of all....Norbert Anderson's should be there as well.

Rich Miller · 3 months ago

Bigfoot, have you never been to a blog? The column is clearly linked.

JJ · 3 months ago

Rich, maybe you should also link to the facebook group. That's where I first learned of the re-opening.

foster brooks · 3 months ago

with rising beer taxes and prices and tougher dui laws why would anyone want to get into the bar business

Buford T. Justice · 3 months ago

Jim Anderson setting off my squad siren and wearing my Trooper hat just outside Norbs.

Chico · 3 months ago

When I arrived in Springfield in June, 2000 to work for WAND TV, Luke Carey and Mike Rapps said they'd "show me around". We never left Norb's!Good luck new owners.