Hoot ‘n’ Annies Offer Pub Food at its Best

By Antoinette May Herndon

That famous American Gothic couple—so notoriously pruney—is one of the high hoots at Hoot ’n’ Annies in Jackson. The Norman Rockwell classic is the last thing one would expect for a menu cover at a jazzy post modern bistro.

But that’s it, Hoot’ n’ Annies is all about fun and surprises. It’s just the place to pop into to for a burger or sandwich. The food is really good, the wait staff not only more than attractive but efficient and ebullient.

Though the full name is really Hoot ‘n’ Annies Good Eats and Watering Hole, Hoots is basically about sports. Sports. Sports. Sports. Now I, myself, am not all that into sports. Baseball is boring and football, admittedly not boring, is just so—so rowdy. But what are you going to do at a sports bar other than watch sports? Hoots has huge TVs everywhere. Well, it’s true, you might slip into the ladies’ for a quiet moment, but that’s a bit extreme. I’m not sure about the men’s’, but suspect there’s probably a giant TV mounted right above the you know what.

A few months ago I lost my dearest friend. An hour or two before she died, I asked: “Is there anything you wished you’d done?”

` Sharon’s reply was immediate: “Just watched more football.” (Clearly football was not one of the many joys

we shared.) But there I was on a Sunday night seated beside Charles at Hoot ‘n’ Annies looking up at one of their gigantic TV screens. Sharon’s beloved Raiders were playing.

“Win one for Sharon,” I prayed waving an icy martini glass. Well, God’s switchboard must have been jammed that night. It was not to be the winner take all classic that I and the Raiders had in mind. Still, they did manage to tie the Kansas City Chiefs 8-8 and take 6-0 in the AFC West. Not too shabby. ”

Back to Hoots, it’s really neat. As a first timer, I was delighted to see a well stocked bar. (Too often sports bars just have beer.) The aforementioned martini ($6) was perfection. Charles was equally pleased with his scotch over. ($8.50)

There are a number of other cocktail favourites at Hoots like Texas Tea (Smirnoff vodka, Bombay gin, Bacardi Rum hand shaken with fresh lemon and lime, then layered with cola.) Or, what about the bartender’s award winning Kentucky Kandy, (Maker’s Bourbon shaken with DeKuyper’s Peach Schnapps)?

There’s just about every kind of burger you can think of on the menu as well as chicken ($10.95) and pesto ($8.95) penne, beef medallions and basil cream chicken ($13.95). Cobb salad is popular at $11.95. No wonder. It has grilled chicken breast, crisp bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese, crumbled bleu cheese, egg and black olives--all

tossed with your choice of dressing.

All of the above sounded great but I wasn’t going there. I was in the mood for something different and found it with the Cod Sandwich ($8.95). (Remember “Cheers”? I felt like one of the gang.) The cod was fresh and tasty—fried pub style to a golden brown and served on a toasted Dutch crunch roll topped with tartar sauce and shredded lettuce.

Charles was more traditional that night. He went with the BLT. It was the real classic you always hope for: thick-sliced apple wood smoked bacon, shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes on toasted sourdough bread.

For me, this was pub food at its best. Everything done just right. Our pretty server, Jessica Hills, was lively and upbeat. Whether you’re into sports or not, Hoot ‘n’ Annies is the perfect pit stop. Charles and I went out happy and smiling. No one could possibly have mistaken us for the American Gothic couple.

VITALS: 11310 Prospect Dr., Jackson. Phone: 223-4400. Hours: From 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Credit cards accepted.

PICTURES

Check out the offering on Hoot’n’ Annies menu

The decpr at Hoot’n’Annies in Jackson sets the tone immediately.

Jessica Hills is a lively asset to Hoot’ n’Annies in Jackson.