Porches and dive bars are mayoral favorites in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates Amara Andrews and Tiffany O’Donnell were asked during a forum Tuesday night about their favorite places in Cedar Rapids, what they like to do, where they go to eat, etc.

I had high hopes for this question after nearly 90 minutes of labor and economic issues. Important, to be sure, but a little dry. The forum was sponsored by the Hawkeye Labor Council, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and KCRG.

O’Donnell fielded it first.

“My favorite place to go is my parents’ front porch. And I’m not saying that just because they’re here, for sure. My other favorite place would be my sister’s back porch,” O’Donnell said. “I have a really close family. And I talked about being the granddaughter of immigrants. Family is everything to us so the best restaurant is at my mom’s or my sister’s house.”

OK, so she really likes porches and loves her family. That’s great. And she got in that granddaughter of immigrants thing.

“I will say if I go out I do love The Lighthouse. It’s right down the street. Steven and his crew are always so nice to us. I have a lot of restaurant haunts. But if I had to pick I’d have to say my parents’ or my sister’s house,” O’Donnell added.

The Lighthouse, solid choice. Also a safe choice. It’s been around since 1912. It’s a landmark.

Then it was Andrews’ turn.

“Well, I am you may guess incredibly competitive so I love to play tennis and I love to compete while playing tennis. Even if it’s just you know friends on a Saturday, I’m winning,” Andrews said.

Sounds like fun for her tennis friends. And she got in that part about being competitive and winning.

Then her response took a welcome turn.

“I also have a real affinity for dive bars. I just do, they’re so fun,” Andrews said. “So that’s something I like to do occasionally. I can’t say I’ve had much time to do it. Although at the beginning of the campaign we were doing cocktails with the candidate across the city which was incredibly fun. I got to meet so many interesting people I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to meet.

“So I do like popping around to places that are kind of unexpected. And you find there’s lots of good food in those bars,” Andrews said.

OK, dive bars. Now we’re talking. And she’s right about the food. Although, sadly, Andrews didn’t mention any specific taverns.

So you might find O’Donnell on various family porches or maybe at The Lighthouse. Andrews might be on the courts or popping into a dive bar. This is the sort of information voters really need ahead of the Nov. 30 runoff vote.

I don’t know how powerful the porch vote is in Cedar Rapids, let alone front stoops and decks. It’s especially difficult to determine, especially now that the weather has turned cold.

The dive bar vote could be substantial. After all, Cedar Rapids is a good bar town. Some owners might take exception to their joints being called dives. I’ve always regarded it as a term of endearment. I’ve honestly lost track of the bar scene since my kids got older and more involved in activities that took up my time and, of course, there’s the pandemic.

Too many have closed. Some have different names and owners now. Some great new places have opened.

So did the forum provide any new clarity into who will win the runoff? Not really. But I think a more important message was made clear. I need to get out more.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com