Lit'l Bit Bar and Grill Review

Lit’l Bit Bar and Grill - a Food and Establishment Review

by Drew Bankston

I was invited to come to the Lit’l Bit Bar and Grill and took my wife there for a night out. It was a 40-minute drive and I was really hoping for a good meal and a fun night out.

We arrived and walked in the front door. A quick look around revealed a bar, a small dining area, a small dance area with DJ booth and beyond that was a room with pool tables.

The bar was busy and close to the bar were a few full tables. Music was playing and we enjoyed each classic country song!

We seated ourselves since there wasn’t a hostess and waited for the waitress to come over with the menus. We continued to wait and did so for over 5 minutes. I thought about heading out but finally, the waitress came over and asked us if we wanted drinks or if we wanted to eat as well. My wife ordered her favorite margarita and I asked for a Sprite since I was driving.

We looked through the extensive menu and both decided on the Chili Cheeseburger. It sounded good and seemed to me to be a unique experience.

The patrons were laughing and having a good time at the bar and another waitress was opening time talking with 2 couples at another table. It was almost like Cheers where the regulars and locals were the ones getting the attention but we were lost in the background.

My wife’s margarita arrived and seemed to be missing the tequila. (See photo). She ordered a different drink which tasted better.

The food arrived and was really good. The combination of the half bun with a burger smothered with chili as well as green chili was a stroke of genius. I wished that the burger was a handmade patty but I believe that it was one of the pre-made kind from Costco or Sam’s Club. The fries were seasoned well and a delight.

Dinner was done and the waitress dropped off the check. We spent about $41 which seemed a little pricey and ended up heading out the door to find stronger margaritas since those were a weak point at this establishment.

I give Lit’l Bit Bar and Grill a B- for the food and atmosphere. The atmosphere is great if you’re a local or regular but if you’re looking to drop in for a meal and a good time and from out of town, I’d keep looking.  By the way, for comparison, here is the margarita that we had at our next stop!

Drew Bankston is the author of the Tokorel series and 9 other novels, and loves eating and having a great time. Watch for more food and establishment critiques coming soon!

Fantasy vs...

Fantasy vs……

By Drew Bankston

This past week has been, to me, something out of a fairytale.

Monday morning at 3:30am I caught a shuttle, went to the airport and flew to New York. I had never been to New York, and more importantly, I had never been involved in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

The first night we were all treated to a wonderful reception dinner. It was something that would have only happened to celebrities or dignitaries. It was something that made me feel extremely special. I’m not certain that anything in my life between now and the time I leave this world will ever be as special and exciting as that dinner and what was to follow.

After the dinner, we all went to our first rehearsal. We sang our song for the first time and it was beautiful. Still, we rehearsed for three hours and then ended the day around midnight.

The following day started with an early breakfast, more rehearsing and then lunch. I took that afternoon to catch-up on some sleep, a visit to Macy’s on Herald Square and then another three hours of rehearsing.

On Wednesday, we had our final rehearsal in the morning. I took the afternoon to walk around the town. I saw the parade balloons being inflated. I saw Broadway. I saw Times Square. I walked through Central Park and saw the memorial to John Lennon. Then I walked back to the hotel and turned in for an early night.

The following day was the parade. Breakfast at 4am. Off to another hotel to change into our costumes. 6am and on buses to take us to our float where we learned our positions, practiced our songs a few more times and then waited for the parade to begin.  We sang our two main songs, “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” and “Deck the Halls” over and over again along the parade route but I didn’t mind. Seeing the looks on the faces of the children and the adults, the smiles when I would look at or point at anyone made me want to continue singing.

We sang our premier song in front of Macy’s on 34^th street and even though I was on the backside of the tree, it was still incredible and amazing.

After the parade ended, we all went back to the hotel and returned our costumes, walked back to the Pub where we shared a Thanksgiving lunch and then I was off to the airport.

It was a whirlwind visit but I made some amazing friends and still communicate with them via Facebook today. We all were involved in a historical event. The first ever Macy’s singing Christmas Tree float. They might do more, but none of the future floats will be the first. This week will be back to the normal and back to the old grindstone. I was given a few things to remember my experience with, and I will never forget. In fact, my mind will probably embellish the events of the week as time goes by. I will never forget my experiences there and how they have changed my life and how I think about it. I’ll share more with you in upcoming blogs, but for now, just know that my life will not be the same, but it will be better.

Leaving on a...

Leaving on a…..

By Drew Bankston

The time has come and here I sit on a jet plane on my way to New York. I never thought that I’d be writing my blog from thousands of feet in the air, and yet here I am doing so.

In a few hours, I’ll be on my way to the hotel, resting up and preparing for the welcome meeting where all of us will meet together for the first time. After that, we head off for our first rehearsal. It’s going to be a whirlwind week but, I think, incredibly fun. I’ll be posting frequent updates on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/drewbankston) and may even add an additional blog this week. We’ll see how time goes.

It was fun watching people at the airport today and seeing the many different types. Some looked sad, tired and totally out of it while others seemed to anticipate the future. Most of those in the airport were strangers, just as on the plane here and now. Some people, like the couple next to me, know one another. I actually know two other people on the plane, but we aren’t sitting in close proximity to each other. Lauren is the other person from Colorado who will be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with me. She brought her husband, Kwon, who I know from when he was running for mayor in Fort Collins. Perhaps when we get to the airport, the three of us can muddle through finding out Lyft driver together.

Despite the unknowns of New York and the upcoming week, there is a great deal of excitement connected to this trip and the once in a lifetime opportunity that comes with it. How many people can say that they’ve been in this parade? How many can say that they were a part of a brand new float, a brand new song, and brand new Macy’s tradition? Not many I would guess. I’m going to meet so many new people, make numerous new friends, and enjoy so many new experiences that it may be overwhelming, but I’m certainly going to be grateful for the opportunity and take advantage of every moment.

So check back during the week and see what new and exciting adventures I’ll share. It’s going to be fun my friends. I’m glad that I can take you along with me through my words!

Ready or...

Ready or…

by Drew Bankston

In preparation for my upcoming trip to New York and participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this past week has been, without a doubt, the most exciting yet. On Monday I received a red envelope in the mail. It was a large envelope and a mystery until I opened it and found a letter inside. The letter was from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade group congratulating me on being selected to be a part of the parade. Something physical that I can put in a scrapbook! 

The next day I came home to find a very shiny, red envelope on my porch. I opened it to find a per diem card that Macy’s sent me to help pay for food when I’m in New York. Sometime this week we’ll find out about travel arrangements. I’ll find out about my flight to New York and home again. I’ll find out about transportation between the airport and the hotel while in New York. I already know about the hotel where I’ll be staying.

I received information about plays, performances and other activities that I can attend while in New York, and I’ve been practicing my musical parts for the songs that we’ll be singing on the float, including an original Christmas song never heard before!

I’m so excited to be going and to be a part of this.

I’m a little sad though because for the first time in 27 years I won’t be with my wife and family on Thanksgiving. It will be different. The range of emotions for this one day is amazing. The excitement and exhilaration of doing something that I’ve always dreamed about at the cost of not seeing my family on a day when I’m grateful for so much, including my wife and kids.  My wife reminds me that we’ll be together when I get back and that we’ll be together for the remainder of the holidays. Still…

I’ll continue to post about the parade and the thrill and excitement of it. I’ll post photos on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/drew.bankston) my Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/drewbankston_/) and my Twitter page (@drewbankston1). I might even do a live chat. It will be fun and I’ll announce before it happens.
My blog next week will be the last one before the parade and then I’ll be doing one more after about the parade. Beyond that is like life itself. A mystery to be uncovered when that day comes! Here we go, friends. So much more to tell!

Deck the What?

Deck the What?

By Drew Bankston

Two weeks from tomorrow I leave for New York.  What a kick!  I’m so excited to be going. I’ve done a little more research about this year’s parade and I’ve found out who else will be there as well. Now, I don’t know if I’ll have any opportunity at all to meet them, but here is a short list of the people who will be attending as participants!

In addition to the signature floats, balloons, and the annual first sighting of Santa Claus, this year’s Macy’s Parade will feature multiple musical acts, including middle-aged boy banders 98 Degrees, American Idolalum Lauren Alaina, pop singer Sabrina Carpenter, Andra Day & Common, country singer Sara Evans, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, rapper Flo Rida, ’90s superstars Goo Goo Dolls, Wyclef Jean, Andy Grammer, Bebe Rexha and the legendary Smokey Robinson.

Just knowing that I’ll be in the same parade, on the same street, and a part of the same event as some of these incredible people makes me smile. I’m only special to a handful of people on a daily basis, but in a few weeks, I’ll feel special for a day. I’ll be in the company of some amazing and successful people. Of course the most successful will come right after our Singing Christmas Tree float, the jolly old man with the long white beard. Santa Claus!

Now last week I told you that we received our music and I’ve been learning my part and singing the beautiful music. One of the songs that we’ll be singing is an original piece that is absolutely beautiful, so if you watch the parade each year like I do please watch for us singing this new song for the first time ever! This is destined to be an instant classic.

Would you like to see more about our Singing Christmas Tree? If so, here’s a YouTube video that you can watch, produced by Macy’s, that tells more about what we’re doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-7lK2lUC-U

Most people won’t get this information, so watch and see what you think. Are as excited as I am?

Much more coming next week so check back then. Thanks for reading.

Here We Come A...

Here We Come a…

by Drew Bankston

I’ve mentioned it a million times already, or at least a few, but in three weeks I get to leave for New York to prepare for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!  I’ve also mentioned that every week Macy’s does something to make this dream seem more real! This past week was no exception and I’m excited to share a few things with you.

Last week we received our schedule for rehearsals, meetings, and activities. Seeing it in writing was a real thrill and puts dreams in my head of what will be realities soon enough!

This week was even more exciting when we were sent our music and our songs for the parade. How exciting! I’ve already started practicing.

So now I’ll be in the parade and I know what I’ll be singing. I’ll also be taking time to go and watch the balloons being inflated. I’m pretty sure that I won’t stay for the entire thing. I’m not even sure how many balloons there are, but it’s going to be a thrill to see those characters come to life.

I’m not certain what the weather will be like on Thanksgiving Day. It might be cold and snowy or it could be one of those years where it’s comfortable. I don’t know. But we will be wearing an outfit fit for a Thanksgiving Day parade. It’s all quite storybook-like and is still not quite real in my mind, but in three weeks I’ll be living out this storybook dream!

Now, I’m pretty sure that after reading this you have questions. What will you be singing? What will you be wearing? These things, dear reader, will be my present to you, and like all good presents, they will be a surprise for you when you watch the parade on Thanksgiving morning. During the first few days in New You, however, I will be taking lots of photos and even doing a few Facebook Live segments, so I encourage all of you to watch for those. In the meantime, be excited and just like you would on Christmas morning, anticipate the pageantry and tradition of this wonderful parade in addition to seeing what our chorus of 150 singers will present to you! I don’t know what’s coming this next week, but I’m as excited as ever to share more with you. 

It’s going to be incredible, I believe. Here it comes!

Miracle on...

Miracle on…

By Drew Bankston

When you’re looking forward to something that’s a month or more away, it’s easy to forget about the event until a week or so before it happens.

Four weeks from tomorrow I leave for New York City to begin my adventure of marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. You would think that the reality of this has settled into my brain and that the excitement would have waned somewhat, but let me tell you, that’s not at all the case.

This has been something that I’ve thought about all of my life. From as far back as I can remember I’ve watched the parade every Thanksgiving. It’s not just a tradition, but also a total joy to experience every year. I look forward to it beginning September 1 each year. To know that I’m going to be in it is more exciting than I can express. In addition to being excited about this, the fine folks at Macy’s continue to keep that excitement building by sending us little bits of information each week. This week, however, I received the most amazing news yet. I received our schedule for the week!

At this point, I don’t think that I can share every detail of the week, but I can say that at some particular point in time, I will get to visit the place that one of my favorite Christmas movies revolve around, “Miracle on 34^th Street”. Yes, I get to visit Macy’s, Herald Square.

Now, some of you might wonder how I can be so excited about visiting Macy’s in New York. Yes, it’s true that I work at Macy’s but for some reason this store, which is one of the largest retail stores in the world, is magical. I will have to opportunity to be a part of that magic. Not only that but once upon a time, Macy’s actually had a choir. They recorded an album. I get to be a part of a group that hasn’t existed for 60 years. So being able to visit the flagship store and actually shop there, see the holiday decorations and see the Magic of Macy’s in person is beyond words. I can’t wait, and yet I have to.

I honestly can’t wait to see what is coming next week and hopefully, I’ll have a little more guidance as to what all I can share with you about my trip. In the meantime know that I’ll be rehearsing, taking lots of photos and a few live broadcasts, and having the time of my life. I want to take each of you along on this journey, so come back next week for more, tell your friends to join you, and let’s have a great time together.