TYLER, Texas — For college hoops fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. The NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments are in full swing, and East Texans are coming out in droves to catch a glimpse of the action.
"Busy to say the least. We’ve got a lot of people in here as you can tell, our bar’s pretty full right now. A lot of beer specials. We’re selling a lot of hot dogs," said Angela Hernandez, head bartender at Montez Creekside Kitchen in Whitehouse.
Braylon Shackelford, training coordinator at Bubba's 33 in Tyler, said the March Madness games feels like playoff football.
"Honestly, it’s just any time there’s a big playoff game, big playoff situation, Bubba’s is rockin’, the energy’s high," Shackelford said.
Six different Texas schools did punch their tickets to the Big Dance this year, and people are excited about it.
"You have a lot of games, lot of upsets, lot of heartbreakers, get to see a lot of players you don’t normally see or hear about emerge as stars if that makes sense," Shackelford said.
Food specials are great, drink specials are also great, but if people looking for something a little extra to put their March Madness excitement over the top, they’ve got custom T-shirts at Montez.
"One of the local boutiques here in Whitehouse, Diamonds and Dirt, actually made it for me," Hernandez said. "They’re really great so they’re going to be doing some for us hopefully very soon. I know the staff again is really excited to wear them, me as well. But they’re really fun. They have our logo of course, and then all the madness that comes with it," said Hernandez.
No matter where you’re going to catch the action, make sure you get there early, because barstools are filling up fast. And remember, a good seat near a big TV during March Madness is basically worth your weight in gold.
"Lately, it’s been busy consistently throughout the day, you know we’re busy all the time, right now we have a really early rush for the bar, specifically, the dining room’s not as crazy, but the bar is definitely filling up at the earlier times and staying consistent throughout the night, which is very exciting for us," said Hernandez.