By Brian Hoffman
As you probably know the sale of Mac & Bob’s Restaurant was scheduled to go down this week, just as our paper is hitting the newsstands. That’s a pretty big deal in Salem.
I want to publicly thank owners Bob Rotanz and Joe Dishaw for sponsoring our football and basketball contests for as long as I remember. I hope the new guys, Dave and Jeff, continue the tradition and that will be decided in the coming weeks with our new contest scheduled to start August 28.
What a ride it’s been for Bob and Joe, starting out at the hole in the wall next to the Salem Theatre, which is now Frankie Rowlands Steakhouse. They used to have a Monday Night Football special with 7 cent beers for a touchdown. The place would be packed, which didn’t take much in that space, and there was one bathroom at the end of the counter farthest from the door. If you had to go it was much easier, at least for the guys, to traverse the alley next door than to try and make it to the potty, which was sure to be occupied anyway.
Business got to be so good they moved across the lot to Somethin’s Up Deli, which was at the location where the current Mac & Bob’s stands. When I attended Roanoke College it was “Uncle George’s,” and if you remember that you have to be at least 60 years old. There was a juke box there and one of the numbers was Uncle George playing his ukulele. It was the only eating place within walking distance of the college at night so, if you didn’t have a car, there weren’t a lot of options. I must say George had a signature “Hamburger Sub” that I ate at least once a week. It was basically a Big Mac on a sub role.
When Mac & Bob’s moved to that spot, and continued to grow, it became a very popular spot for one reason, in my opinion; Bob and Joe. Two New Yorkers came to school in Salem and made themselves “Salemites.” Like myself, another out-of-towner, the folks here accepted us even though we weren’t “Salem born and Salem bred.” What we became are folks who “chose” Salem over any other place we could live.
If anyone from the school or civic organization needed advertising, Bob and Joe would never turn them down. They were present in the building, knew the customers and made them feel at home. In turn, folks patronized the business and helped them through some rough times when other restaurants would have failed. You treat people right, it comes back to you.
I’d like to know how many sports teams Mac & Bob’s have fed over the years, more often than not free of charge. They held charity golf tournaments and other events that made Salem a better place to live.
When I was a young man, I hung out there with regularity. When I grew up and got married, we’re talkin’ 35 years old here, I became more of a take-out guy. I couldn’t tell you how many Mac & Bob’s calzones my grandsons have eaten watching football, basketball and baseball games at my house.
It’s going to be different, but if Dave and Jeff are smart it won’t be a lot different. I don’t expect they’ll change the name to “Dave & Jeff’s.”
As for Bob and Joe, Grizz and the staff, thanks for 45 years of great foot, great friendship and a place where “everybody knows your name.”
Fire in the Hole!!!
Tuesday afternoon I’m writing my column and I hear our receptionist say, “there’s two firetrucks across the street!!” My first thought is it’s that reefer store right across from our office on West Main Street and maybe I should get over there in case it goes up in smoke.
Well, the fire trucks were actually at the car wash next to the reefer store and I’m thinkin’ “how can a car wash have a fire?” It’s not like they need to hook up to the hydrant.
I guess it was something other than a fire, and hopefully nothing serious. And, if it is a fire and it spreads to that reefer store the Dunkin’ doughnuts place a couple doors down better get ready for some serious business.
It’s Officially Here
Here’s some good news for you football fans. Starting with last week’s Pro Football Hall of Fame game in Canton there will be pro, college or high school football played every week until February. If you’re counting, that’s 28 straight weeks of football. Our preseason edition will come out August 28, previewing the Salem and Glenvar High teams. And remember Roanoke College also has a varsity schedule this year, so it’s going to be an exciting time.
And don’t forget our football contest begins the day before the first high school games, also with the August 28 edition.
