For lovers of smoky, windowless, hole-in-the-wall dives, the Spot (1732 West 18th, 713-864-4485) rules. A crowd of regulars was hanging out along the horseshoe bar in the nondescript strip mall; many of them said they had been coming here (or perhaps never left) for the last ten years. It’s easy to see why: A buffet set up in the back offered roast beef, boiled potatoes and a big green salad. After looking around with no success for my friend, I grabbed a table and sat down to dinner. When I asked the cocktail waitress if she knew of an unusual drink, she recommended a Blue Iguana. “It’s $5.75 and it’s pretty strong, but if you want one I’ll bring it for you.” What the hell, I thought, as I broke my plastic fork on the fat of the meat. “Sorry, we’re out of blue curaçao. Do you want another beer?” she yelled from the bar. When I suggested that she make the drink with Midori, I got the strangest looks. Both the gal behind the bar and my server were curious as to how it tasted. Long about the third sip I looked up and said, “It kinda makes me think of Florida.” Martha White and the Hot Biscuits were on stage trying to get their drum machine to keep time, and it occurred to me that the only thing missing from the scene was a bingo card and a one-armed bandit.
The Spot’s Green Iguana:
2 ounces Royal Czar vodka
2 ounces sour mix
1 ounce Midori
1 1/4 ounces Bacardi 151 rum
Pour the vodka, sour and Midori into a hurricane glass filled with ice. Float the rum on top of the mixture without stirring. Avoid Breathalyzers at all costs. After you finish your second, consider giving up drinking once and for all.
This article appears in Sep 19-25, 2002.