New management, new look for Ragged Ass Saloon
From its meager beginnings dating back to nearly half a century ago, the Ragged Ass Saloon, formerly the Starboard Lounge, recently underwent a sprucing up. New managers Dorothy Eng and Larry Butcher have spent countless hours cleaning and painting the old building and interior to give it a fresh look.
“We have viewed the taking over of the management of the Ragged Ass not so much as a job, but more like an enjoyment project,” said Eng. “In the past, our summers were spent taking extended trips around the country on our motorcycles. In fact this year we had planned to travel up the east coast all the way into Canada, but obviously that has all changed, but while working here on the island has been a different, it has still been a great pleasure and we are really looking forward to season beginning.”
Among the projects completed by Eng and Butcher are a newly paved parking lot complete with kick pads for motorcycle rider, new decking and the addition of several palm trees. The biggest change however is the outdoor seating area at the rear of the building.
“Since we can no longer allow smoking in the bar, we thought it was a good idea to develop a pleasant outdoor seating area.” said Eng. “The covered area behind the has been brightened up and through the suggestions of our customers, we have also added a stereo system and television for their enjoyment.”
Other changes include expanding the menu at Ragged Ass. While the traditional pizza and shoestring french fries are still available, new items include locally caught and prepared peel and eat scrimp, a selection of wraps, home-made beer-battered onion rings and daily specials as well as breakfast on weekends.
“So far our breakfasts have been well received,” said Ragged Ass cook Stephanie Smith. “During season we are considering expanding to include breakfast seven days a week and also will be offering more salads and other items that our customers have requested.”
Other inclusions to tempt customers are weekly corn hole tournaments and the recent acquisition of a satellite sports package.
“We are hoping people will come in, relax with friends and enjoy a football game at the bar,” said Butcher. “We will continue to explore ways to get the community involved by making the Ragged Ass their own.”
While most establishments on the island offer customers souvenirs like T-shirts and ball caps, here too, Eng and Butcher have taken this a step further.
“In addition to the standard Ts and caps, we have added a selection of wearable items that have our logo either screen printed or embroidered on them,” said Butcher. “So far they have been quite popular. In fact we had one customer in a few weeks ago who bought a pair of shorts for his daughter and when he came back two weeks later he said that he hasn’t seen his daughter take them off.”
Clothing items include golf shirts, swim suits, sports bras, men’s shorts and more.
Even with all of the improvements, some things have not changed at the Ragged Ass.
“Much of the staff here, all of whom are islanders, have been working here for many years,” said Eng. “And we will be keeping the tradition of offering music performed by local musicians throughout the week. This is one way we can show our thanks to the great support we receive from the Pine Island community and a way to take this place back to how people remember it.”
The Ragged Ass Saloon hosts live music on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday each week.
The Ragged Ass Saloon, on Stringfellow Road in St. James City, is open week days beginning at 11 a.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m.
For more information or for daily lunch specials, call 282-1131.