The Dixie Chicken: The Oldest Bar On Northgate
Questions by | Hannah Holbrook ~ Photos & Answers Courtesy of | Adam Drake, Marketing Director
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the Dixie Chicken’s history and its unique role in the Aggieland experience?
A: Don Ganter and Donnie Anz were business partners in the early 70’s and they opened the Dixie Chicken together. Being able to open the first bar on Northgate was something they were both very proud of. They modeled the look of the Dixie Chicken after Luckenbach: that rustic, beer joint feel was exactly what they wanted for their new venture. It became such a popular spot early on and established an incredible legacy that has lasted over 45 years. The Legend of the Ring Dunk started at the Dixie Chicken when an Ag was showing off his new ring to his friends over a pitcher of beer. It’s said that he dropped it in and drank to the bottom to retrieve it. The Legend of the Ring Dunk has been carried on by new generations and adds to the mystique of the bar. We’re truly humbled that generations of Aggies, and others, continue to come in and share stories of their time in Aggieland and pass their traditions on to their kids.
Q: What kind of atmosphere are people greeted with when entering the Dixie Chicken?
A: It’s always been our goal to welcome people in like old friends. While we’re mostly filled with maroon, we love seeingfriends of all fanbases come through the doors. We hear from opposing fans every year how much fun they had and how polite the Aggie fans were at the Dixie Chicken and in College Station in general. That’s something that we really take to heart. On any given day at the Chicken, you might just meet your new best friends over a game of 42 or around the pool table. The a atmosphere is friendly, fun, and authentic.
Q: What kind of food and drink can visitors indulge in at the Dixie Chicken? Any local favorites you can tell our readers about?
A: Initially, the Dixie Chicken started out as strictly a beer joint. We’d have sausage hangdowns and crackers for folks coming in drinking their bottled beer. As the years progressed, we added a full kitchen in the 80’s and liquor in 2014. When Don Ganter put in the full kitchen, he brought over Freddy Alvarez, who was working at Chicken Oil Co. at the time, to run it. Freddy is now world famous for his half pound Freddy Burger. Tijuana Fries are another staple. It really is hard to go wrong with warm golden fries covered in different cheeses! Still, our biggest seller at the Chicken is cold beer. The basic domestics are all available, but we love offering people great Texas craft beers as well.
Q: The Chicken is a bar filled with so much local history and memories. What are some of your favorite stories you hear people tell about their time at the Chicken?
A: The stories are what makes the Dixie Chicken great! We’ve got a “Dixie Chicken Stories” page on our website and we highly encourage people to share their stories with us. One recent story that people still bring up is the night Von Miller “worked” the register at the Chicken. He was in town in 2017 for a charity golf tournament he was putting on the night before the Bama game. While he was on Northgate that Friday night (in his Dixie Chicken shirt, no less) he came in and asked if he could catch his breath in the office area, as he was being followed by a throng of fans. A few minutes later, while in the back, he noticed the order line getting long and asked someone to show him how to take orders. So, all of a sudden there was a line of people ordering their burgers and Tijuana fries from a Super Bowl MVP. It was very special for a lot of fans that night.
Q: What kind of events do you guys have going on at the Chicken during the week?
A: We recently brought back a fan favorite – our Monthly 42 Tournament – to the Dixie Chicken. Texas 42 is a game that Don Ganter loved. It has been played daily since the early days. To be able to offer a spot for people that love the game, and to introduce the game to a new generation of Aggies, is something we’re happy to do.
Q: Do you guys have anything new coming in 2020 that you’d like to let our readers know about?
A: 2019 was a big year for us as we celebrated 45 years with a massive concert featuring Aggies Roger Creager and Dub Miller, among others. As far as 2020 is concerned, there’s nothing on the books yet, but you never know! We might just have a trick or two up our sleeves, you’ve just got to stay up with us on our social media to keep track!