It's official: Anchors Away to return as Norb Andy's
The NORB ANDY’S TABARIN revival isn’t in name only.
Gold-painted block letters spelling out the former tavern’s name reappeared on the historic building at 518 E. Capitol Ave. in April, months after ANCHORS AWAY vacated the basement real estate.
At the time, no one could verify if the move was a sign of nostalgia or rebirth.
Now building owner Dave Ridenour has confirmed the tabarin, and its familiar menu line up, will be returning.
“We’re reopening it as Norb Andy’s,” said Ridenour, who purchased the Hickox Building in 2010 and has been the face of Norb Andy’s on multiple occasions since then when other operators couldn’t be found.
“Our goal is to return Norb Andy’s to its heyday as the political watering hole downtown.”
Ridenour said the revival will include bringing back the tabarin’s traditional bar menu complete with cheeseburgers, tenderloins and horseshoes.
Ridenour said the goal is a summer opening, but added the planning is still in the “infant stages.”
Springfield residents have walked those steps into the Hickox Building’s basement to whet their whistle since Prohibition ended. One of Springfield’s first post-Prohibition liquor licenses was issued to the building and owner “Hoot” Francis in 1932 to operate a tavern in the bottom floor.
Norbert Anderson bought Francis’ tavern five years later, naming it Norb Andy’s Tabarin. The unusual spelling was an attempt to get around a city ordinance that prohibited taverns from using the word “bar” in their names. Anderson erected a sign describing his business as a “taBARin” with “bar” in capital letters.
Anderson ran the tabarin 42 years, during which it became a watering hole known for catering to politicians, lobbyists and newsmen.
Norb Andy’s legacy carried it through most of the four decades that followed, although with frequent ownership changes and occasional dry spells. The basement business sat empty for three years between 2006 and 2009, as well as shorter closures in between a number of operators who cycled through from 2010 until 2017 when Anchors Away moved into the space.
TAKI TACO introduced Springfield snackers last summer to takiyaki – the Japanese-inspired, fish-shaped soft serve cones.
This summer even more Asian-influenced treats are poised to join the Parkway Pointe eatery’s menu, including Korean-style corn dogs, Pon de Ring donuts and boba tea.
The Korean-style corn dogs are another Asian street food taking the U.S. by storm. But speaking frankly, the stick is about the only thing this meal has in common with its American cousin.
The interior can contain a hotdog, mozzarella cheese stick or a combination of the two. A crunchy rice-flour batter replaces the traditional corndog’s cornmeal batter and a variety of flavors ranging from churro to Cheetos, sweet potato to Ramen can be added.
The Pon de Ring donuts – also known as mochi donuts – are a fusion of traditional American doughnuts and the Japanese rice cake, mochi.
The doughnut ring is made of eight connecting balls, resembling a flower and a variety of flavored glazes range from matcha to ube, strawberry to Oreo.
Several new drink selections also are joining the menu including hot and iced coffees and Boba tea.
Husband-wife team Phong Thai and Phuong “Crystal” Hang own the business at 2955 Lindbergh Blvd. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closing, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: It's official: Anchors Away to return as Norb Andy's
