What's a road trip without a little calamity at some unworldly truck-stop tavern? Thelma and Louise had one, not to mention the gals in the "Boys on the Side" flick. Well, at Roadhouse 66, the bar captures the essence of those dusty, back-road bars along the infamous route - only instead, in a friendlier Wrigleyville setting.

On game days, forget the pubs situated near the stadium where the price of a beer jackknifes through the roof. Prices here remain consistent daily and an open kitchen only closes when the doors do. Out of it comes the Horseshoe sandwich (a Springfield staple with a secret cheese sauce recipe) and the El Diablo Wings – you must sign a waiver before downing these and eating a one-pound plate without drinking gets you a spot on the coveted Wall of Flame.

Asking for owner Kyle Bagley to sum up the bar, he jokes, "It's a roadhouse feel without the Patrick Swayze." Anyone who wore pampers until 1985 probably doesn't get it, but our interpretation centers on the Coyote Ugly of Lakeview. Scores of license plates of states along the way spray walls where beer-logo pennants worm to and fro. A dart board and punching bag machine amuse, and a jukebox accompanies squalid gyrations on a black granite bar top, or maybe even your dinner table.

Themed nights, like F'd up Fridays and Wasted Wednesdays, make most newbies chuckle while saving dents on debit cards with awesome specials. Come Tuesday for industry nights and rub elbows with area bartenders (here they're startenders) and servers, or Sundays for killer karaoke. Disregard the off-putting sign out front reading: Hot beer, lousy food, bad service. Welcome! Have a nice day. It's not so bad. Roadhouse 66 offers free wi-fi, DJs daily and a breakfast buffet on weekends.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: David-Anthony Gonzalez