"You can't go in there if you're not thin," the old guy warned as we walked across the parking lot. The joint was packed and rockin'. At The Buffet, you can speak easy; you just can't hear easy. You won't find a friendlier bar in Tucson. The gentleman to the left of us recommended the Polish sausage from the crock pot. The gentleman to the right said it was a "melting pot" with day laborers, professional people and college students. The management was the friendliest of all as they handed out curious little plastic cups at 6 o'clock. These could be traded in for another of what you were drinking. Graffiti covers walls; folks play pool or shuffle board; cigars fill the humidor, and the egg choice is rattlesnake or pickled.
Runners up:
2. The Shelter, 4155 E. Grant Road, 326-1345
3. Che's Lounge, 346 N. Fourth Ave., 623-2088