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* The setup…
Norb Andy’s Tabarin, a storied Springfield watering hole that has been shuttered for three years, will reopen with new owners in October.
Norb Andy’s, 518 E. Capitol Ave., will launch as a bar. Food service will be added early in 2010.
“We’re doing a complete overhaul. We’re ripping out the guts and rebuilding it with the same decor it used to have,” said Jeremy Thomas, who ran Marly’s Pub for five years. His business partner is Nathan Mihelich, a former WICS-TV newsman.
* The Question: What’s your favorite memory from the old Norb’s?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:09 am
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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.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:11 am
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drinking with Paul Lis
Comment by I'm just saying Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:12 am
Horseshoes.
Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:15 am
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.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:16 am
The excellent prime rib. Also knowing that I could always find Doug Finke and Bill Luking there after 10:00p.
Comment by David Starrett Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:19 am
Denny Jacobs…need I say more??!!
Comment by GOP Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:24 am
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.
Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:25 am
Watching Bree serve drinks while listening to Denny Jacobs, Jim Anderson and Bob Swaim tell the same story over and over and over again.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:27 am
Kenny Watson, Ed Nash, et al.
Yes, I am reallllly dating myself.
Oh yes, the sewer gas. Surprised we all lived.
Comment by Joe Schmoe Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:29 am
Word: sounds like you just need some rest, honey! Stop blogging so late at night, and go do the old bod some good, boy!
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:30 am
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.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:31 am
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…
Comment by Anonymous45 Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:36 am
Former Mayor and Good Friend Joe Szabo singing
Comment by Rep David Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:39 am
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
Comment by publius Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:43 am
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.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:43 am
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.
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:44 am
Just to clarify, I’m female, married, and middle aged, as was the lady I’m referring to.
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:46 am
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.
Comment by Wilecoyote Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:48 am
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.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:49 am
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.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:55 am
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.
Comment by Wilecoyote Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:20 pm
Everything about the place…
Comment by Greg B. Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Michelle,
Yup, Steve and Doug too. Also Denny and Danny Burke and Lou Lang and, and, and… Can’t forget Rich.
Comment by David Starrett Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:41 pm
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.
Comment by Dan Vock Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:44 pm
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.
Comment by Cranky Old Man Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:51 pm
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.
Comment by Jak Tichenor Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:55 pm
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?
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:57 pm
Schnorf, stick to the question, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 12:59 pm
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.
Comment by Louis Howe Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:06 pm
I accept my chastisement with good grace, even given the source.
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:11 pm
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.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:17 pm
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.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:18 pm
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.
Comment by Linus Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:19 pm
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.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:22 pm
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.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:30 pm
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.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 1:55 pm
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
Comment by john Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 2:06 pm
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.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 2:26 pm
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
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 2:33 pm
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.
Comment by The Loon Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 2:53 pm
Having my first meal with my future husband. After 16 years we’re still going strong.
Comment by formerGOPer Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 3:09 pm
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.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:00 pm
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.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:10 pm
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.
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:13 pm
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
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:32 pm
During session, the hourly threat from John Reilly to pop me in the mouth if I didn’t make it to Rend Lake soon.
Comment by Levi voted for Judy Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:55 pm
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.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 4:59 pm
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!
Comment by katiecanoe Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:16 pm
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!
Comment by Justice Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:20 pm
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.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:23 pm
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
Comment by dominique Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:24 pm
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!
Comment by Beans Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:26 pm
dominique, those were the days.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 5:27 pm
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!
Comment by Anon3 Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 6:15 pm
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!
Comment by Icebreaker Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 6:50 pm
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!
Comment by Icebreaker Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 6:50 pm
Sorry about the double-click!
Comment by Icebreaker Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 6:51 pm
Hoisting a few there with Henry Hyde, Kenny
Boyle, and Joe McGaw
Comment by Esteban Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 8:12 pm
They served us when we were 18 years old
Comment by one day at a time Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 8:46 pm
=============
…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.)
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 8:54 pm
Pearson Driving me home in the Fiero
Comment by I'm Just Saying Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 9:19 pm
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?
Comment by Bigfoot Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 9:33 pm
Missing Kerry Turner passing out his coupons during NFL season. “Hey Brother, you need one of these moneymakers.”
Comment by Shammer Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 9:57 pm
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???
Comment by Joe Schmoe Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 10:28 pm
Mmmmmmmm…coconut cake!!!
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:10 pm
Went there for years….enjoyed the food, the jazz, the crowds and all of the eclectic people. Hope they make it work.
Comment by piglet Tuesday, Sep 15, 09 @ 11:50 pm
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!
Comment by Curleyfry Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 12:33 am
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.
Comment by JJ Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 1:07 am
Emmett’s picture should be rehung…but most of all….Norbert Anderson’s should be there as well.
Comment by piglet Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 1:13 am
Bigfoot, have you never been to a blog? The column is clearly linked.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 1:18 am
Rich, maybe you should also link to the facebook group. That’s where I first learned of the re-opening.
Comment by JJ Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 1:27 am
with rising beer taxes and prices and tougher dui laws why would anyone want to get into the bar business
Comment by foster brooks Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 5:16 am
Jim Anderson setting off my squad siren and wearing my Trooper hat just outside Norbs.
Comment by Buford T. Justice Wednesday, Sep 16, 09 @ 9:33 am
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.
Comment by Chico Thursday, Sep 17, 09 @ 8:01 am