Cigars are symbolic of so much: victory, the good life, and exploitation of free intern programs. For a place to prepare you for such exploitation, get to Mesa's Cigars.

With walls covered in cigars from 'round the globe (including one dedicated to the house brand) Mesa's is from a guy who started rolling cigars in a Cuban factory at 17, and feels like a comfy living room thanks to cream-colored leather couches, rattan cafe tables, and an old wooden domino setup; the whole joint's actually a giant humidor with a precisely controlled system keeping things at 72% humidity to 1) ensure rigid cigars with a little give, and 2) take care of your snoring problem. Mesa's private label Nicaraguan-rolled stogies are done in 10 sizes (w/ differing diameters and lengths for different smoking experiences), and come with choices of Maduro, Habano, or Connecticut wrapping leaves, each allowing for a different intensity from the interior filler and binder tobacco; there's even one that combos the Habano & Connecticut called a "double wrapper", aka, the "Ying Yang Twins". Other offerings: Torano Reserva Selecta with a Costa Rican wrapper; the Don Lino Africa, which blends African and Caribbean tobaccos; the Camacho Corojo, a strong cigar from Cuban seeds grown in Honduras; luxe brands like Arturo Fuente and Don Pepin Garcia; and from Miami, a full range of Gurkhas, including Vintage Shaggy -- none of that "It Wasn't Me" crap.

Mesa's also sells accessories like cutters, lighters, and deluxe humidors, and gives demos at in-store events on how to roll, from starting with the filler on through covering them with a wrapper -- one thing interns had to learn elsewhere after their time with Slick Willie.

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