Kent Aubry

Daily Egyptian

Head: Beer N’ Chicken, local Wednesday favorite

Many local residents consider Bottoms Up Family Bar and Grill one of southern Illinois’ best-kept secrets.  Residing in the small town of Jacob, located 20 minutes west of Carbondale, this restaurant has become increasingly popular for its cheap chicken and beer served Wednesday nights.  Several SIUC students and Carbondale area residents flock to Bottoms Up each week to kick back and take advantage of the specials.

Cody Freed, a senior studying marketing, said he has gone to Bottoms Up for the past 2 years.

“It’s a good hometown environment,” Freed said.  “The cheap beer and great chicken keeps me coming back.”

Freed said he was first introduced to the restaurant by a friend and former SIUC student, Jacob Green.  He said he enjoys being outside under the pavilion, listening to music and playing bags.  Each Wednesday he said he orders a half chicken, waffle fries and sips on stag beers while he waits for his order.

The current owners of the establishment are Kristi and Jason Thies, and have managed the restaurant together since 2009.  With cheap food and drinks, they consider their restaurant a great place to take a family in order to avoid high prices.

Popular nights at Bottoms Up include taco night Tuesday, chicken night Wednesday, wing night Thursday, fish night Friday and steak night Saturday.  Beers are offered as $1.25 as a Wednesday special and $2.00 beers are offered every other night.

The most popular night of the week is the Wednesday special on chicken and beer.  Over 450 people have been known to pass through the small business on a given Wednesday, a number which continues to grow.

Although the wait is somewhat long at times, customers are encouraged to unwind, play bags and socialize with other guests.  An outdoor “fry shack”, which serves drinks and other amenities, is located directly next to the pavilion and helps customers avoid the long lines inside.

When asked what makes Bottoms Up a worthwhile stop, Kristi answered by saying it is the community that makes it great.  Several families and friends from Jacob and surrounding “river bottoms” area are regular customers.  The restaurant offers the “Garden Club” for those local residents who are invited to join in for drinks everyday starting at 3:30 p.m.

No major form of advertising is necessary too keep crowds coming back.  Many students have been referred to the restaurant simply by word of mouth, a tactic that is working surprisingly well.

When asked if Freed would recommend the restaurant, Freed simply replied, “Absolutely”.