Sometimes I forget that we live in what used to be “the old west.” New, gorgeous restaurants seem to be opening each week featuring frou-frou drinks and trendy food. While I enjoy the “latest and greatest” as much as the next person, it can become a bit exhausting. So much effort goes into dressing up, applying make-up, fussing with hair, and finding a place to park where my dirty, old car won’t be such an eyesore.

As the newest member of the DOD cast, Abbie, and I tried to come up with our next destination for Dining on a Dime, we decided that it must meet the following criteria: 1.) The prevailing demographic must believe in belt buckles and cowboy boots, and 2.) A BMW should look out of place in the parking lot.

Well, we had to head up to New River to find it, but the Roadrunner Restaurant and Bar turned out to be the diamond (of the rough) that we were looking for.

Don’t expect a hostess to seat you—this is the kind of place where you belly up to the bar or seat yourself at a table. Abbie and I chose a high-top under an assortment of neon beer signs. Before we knew it, our friendly server and bartender was sliding menus under our noses and taking our drink orders. Inspired by the weathered wood and rough-riding atmosphere, I ordered a Jack and Coke, and Abbie went for the Coke straight-up (she’s very hardcore). With our whistles whetted, we were ready to order some hearty grub.

Every item on the menu looked delicious (no rabbit food here!). Abbie chose the breaded tenderloin sandwich, and I got my barbecue fix with the pulled chicken sandwich. These sandwiches were HUGE. And darn good! Even though he was jumping between the bar and the restaurant, our waiter kept our water glasses full and the napkins a-comin’! By the time we finished our meal and got our bill, we couldn’t believe how well we’d done: Two beverages and two giant meals cost us just under $22. You can’t do that well at some fast food joints!

As we walked out of the restaurant and said our goodbyes for the night, we couldn’t help but pat ourselves on the back; we dined for under $30 AND we avoided getting into a bar fight!

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