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Because sports and nostalgia are natural companions so long as you aren't a Cubs fan, the folks behind Bangers & Lace are opening The Anthem, a retro-themed athletics bar decked with a 19thC American flag, reclaimed school lockers, and station wagon-esque wood paneling along the L-shaped bar, which is presided over by a mere four flats and a couple of projectors, though just tell those bitter dudes to shut up and confront their dad, already!

Quintessential bites include French drumette-style wings doused in either Cholula buffalo (w/ bleu cheese) or spicy Asian BBQ (w/ ginger aioli), throwback (to, like, the '80s!) pots of molten cheese fondue with all manner of dippables, and "Cheese Doodles" which're actually pork rinds covered in cheese dust, exactly what Kansas made all that stuff in the wind. Heartier fare includes Hungry Man-inspired weekday specials of hamburger mac 'n cheese, and fish sticks, plus everyday standards like a Shake 'n Bake chicken sammie covered in cheddar, bacon, and country gravy, and a caramelized onion-topped burger stuffed with Velveeta called the Jucy Lucy, apparently invented in Minnesota while the rest of America was, you know, spelling correctly and stuff.

And because sports and beer are also natural companions, brew selections balance craft options (Central Waters Mudpuppy Porter, Three Floyds Gumballhead) with old-school cans like Schlitz tallboys and Hamm's, but no Old Style, as Cubs fans relive that with every losing season.

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