While there is no shortage of sports bars in the area, Tailgators Pub & Grill owner Jim Hallers said he missed the friendly neighborhood pubs he frequented in Chicago after moving to The Woodlands in 1979. “I was looking around here in 2007-08, and I was lamenting the fact that the area didn’t have a good bar with good food,” Hallers said. “I thought, ‘Where are the neighborhood restaurants where people come in and socialize?’” After establishing the first two Tailgators restaurants in The Woodlands, Hallers opened the Magnolia location in December 2010. The two Woodlands restaurants have since closed, and a Spring location opened on FM 2920 in April. When deciding on the restaurant’s menu, Hallers said he wanted to create food unlike the fare found at national chain restaurants. “It’s a sports bar, so you’ve got to have burgers, [chicken] wings and french fries, but I was a big fan of Cajun food, so I wanted it to have that little bit of spice,” he said. “We’ve always said that we’re the sports pub with Cajun flair.” The menu offers a number of fried offerings and appetizers often found at sports bars. In addition, customers can find a number of healthier options, such as fish, grilled chicken and a selection of chopped salads. “What we found after opening was that if you make really good food [by hand], people really like it,” Hallers said. “You can’t buy it frozen in a bag. You can get a cold beer anywhere, but to get a cold beer with good food—people will drive here for that.” The restaurant tends to see an influx of customers during two different times of the year—crawfish and football seasons, Hallers said. During crawfish season each spring, Tailgators sells boiled mudbugs in a blend of special seasonings for $5.99 a pound. Though crawfish often sell out before football season begins, Hallers said he plans to boil and flash-freeze Louisiana crawfish to offer limited quantities on the menu this fall. In addition to big screen TVs on each wall, the family-friendly pub has a dart board, a pool table, arcade games and a shuffleboard. The Magnolia location also offers a separate bar next door for customers age 21 and up, Hallers said. “We’re not that typical dark cave bar,” he said. “When you walk around, you’ll hear people talking, visiting and having good food.” Happy hour specials Sunday Funday: beer and well drink discounts Monday: $1 off crawfish, $2.75 domestic pints of beer, $2.50 well drinks Tuesday Wing Night: 22 bone-in wings for $10 Wednesday: $7.99 chicken fried steak or chicken specials Cajun Thursday: $7.99 Cajun pasta Friday: $6.99 fish and chips Saturday: $12.99 steak dinner Tailgators Pub & Grill 33418 Egypt Lane, Ste. L, Magnolia 281-259-5343 www.tailgatorspub.com Hours: Sun.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.