Ah, the Plaza. Like a warm beacon in the night, she beckons weary travelers from afar. Or maybe that's just all the neon in the windows.

I must be careful in giving too glowing of a review, for the weekend lines are already long enough without more of you nerds getting in my way. So let me tell you why you should visit the Plaza on a weeknight.

You'll probably be able to get a coveted corner booth. You'll have an opportunity to play excuse-free pool (as in, no "Excuse me, dude, I'm tryin' ta make a shot here"). Same goes for bubble hockey. And you'll have a good chance at controlling the oddly stocked jukebox.

Featured drink: they are all drinks, and therefore all featured. But my favorite is the fabled half-pitcher of beer (also known as a “medium”). Lock 'n' load one filled with Diet Budweiser for less than $4. You will also find no shortage of Jack Daniels. If you're looking for a martini, the nearest you'll locate is a gin 'n' tonic with an olive. Ask nicely and you can get an Alabama Slammer or Sex on the Beach for your lady friend. But no umbrellas.

Consider the Plaza for your midday dining time, a.k.a. “lunch.” The Plaza Burger is what keeps people coming back, but the menu is packed with a wide variety of other fare, including cheese curds (of course) and onion rings (ringy), and daily lunch specials.

The Plaza: the only place I've seen a waitress forcibly eject a malcontent twice her size. Sigh.