As the chopper gets louder,the screen dissolves into the revolving spokes of a 1962 Eldorado.It is 1963. The caddy is occupied by two couples who are loaded. The car pulls in front of Joy Young's restaurant.And out stumbles the great Alabama football coach, Bear Bryant. He is accompanied by his assistant coach whose name would later join the likes of Nicky's, John's and Joy Young's as Birmingham restaurant royalty, Pat James.
The boys are celebrating ummm. Well, noone really remembers the occasion, but the bourbon is flowing and two ladies of the evening, Candy and Roberta from Centerpoint are in tow. Out tumble the foursome and The Bear chucks a silver dollar at at an excited group of colored teenage boys and warbles, "park it on the 4th Avenue...Buckwheat...and come and see me in August in T-town."
Joy Young's was as exotic and high tone as the Magic City had seen since the Tutwiller Hotel opened. The decor was a not unlike the great movie palaces of the era. It was as dark, plush and cool as a Hopper painting. You know the one with the girl waiting under the dimly lit lodge sign. The main dining room was three stories high. The ground floor had maybe 40 four-tops. On the second floor was a perimeter balcony which held the coveted, curtained booths. Up there, diners enjoyed the swinging Shanghai treatment. Private "geisha girl" waitresses,sugary sweet cocktails with colorful umbrellas and chop suey loaded up with thick brown gravy.
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