Bartender Caitlin

on September 16, 2009

Neither one of us felt like cooking tonight, so I suggested we go to Chipotle. I browsed the menu online, and the choices looked almost healthy! 🙂

I ordered two crispy tacos with black beans, rice, veggies, and pico de gallo!

It is lame that the Husband and I sit side-by-side? 🙂

After dinner, I got ice cream and satisfied a serious sweet tooth hankering that I’ve been fighting for DAYS!

Dinner gave me flashbacks to college. Back in 2005, I bartended at a Chipotle-like restaurant called Qdoba. I worked there for about a year and had lots of free burritos (pretty sweet if you’re on a college budget).

The bar was very small! I had to serve as the bartender-bouncer-busboy-911 caller in case of fights. :) But it was really fun to work there. (Side note: What the hell is that guy on the end wearing on his head?!)

One of my primary jobs as a bartender was to sing karaoke (yes, really). We had karaoke every Saturday night, and it was my duty to get the crowd motivated. I would do 5 – 6 songs a night… I don’t have a really good singing voice, so it was pretty embarrassing.

There was a homeless guy who came in for $1 beers, and we always sang "Summer Nights" from Grease every single Saturday for months (I was Sandy and he was Danny, obviously). That guy was awesome — I wonder what he’s up to now…

Ah, memories. This actually made quite nostalgic for college (I wen to the University of Pittsburgh!).

Here are my afternoon snacks… I had an orange..

Nuts….

Yogurt and granola…

Around 4 PM, I realized I was straight-up HUNGRY. I always listen to hunger cues and knew another "snack" wasn’t going to cut it, so I had a hummus bagel:

Must have been that AM run! My appetite was off the charts today.

Did you ever tend bar? Did you like it or hate it? I liked: the money, talking to people, and having fun. I did not like: creepy men, cleaning up vomit, breaking up fights, and cigarette smoke.

{ 58 comments }

Jess (Fit Chick in the City) September 16, 2009, 5:59 pm
I did tend bar and didn't really enjoy it. I went home stinky and sticky every night. I was definitely a good experience.
thefitbride September 16, 2009, 6:03 pm
I used to drive the beer cart on a golf course–good times!
angieinatlanta September 16, 2009, 6:11 pm
Chipotle + Coldstone sounds like a perfect date night to me!

I never tended bar – it looked way too stressful!
Jenna September 16, 2009, 6:11 pm
Aww, you and your hubby are adorable 🙂

Good job on listening to your hungry cues. I wasn't good at that until recently. Now though, I treat my body better and if I am hungry, my body is screaming 'FEED ME!!!'.

I never tended at a bar, but kind of wish I had, LOL.

Have a wonderful evening! 🙂
Lizzy September 16, 2009, 6:15 pm
coldstone sounds amazing right now! 🙂

i love that it was part of the job to sing karaoke! what kind of songs did you sing?
Michelle September 16, 2009, 6:17 pm
Ohhhh Oakland Qdoba… what memories. I remember going there and drinking a beer at like 10:45 AM on a Tuesday between classes. Good times, good times. It makes me miss Pitt! 🙂
TiredGirl September 16, 2009, 6:18 pm
I didn't tend bar. My father owned bars!

It's pretty much where I spent my childhood, aside from horse barns.

I'd love to tend bar some days. The gals my dad had usually made killer tips!
Feed Me I'm Cranky September 16, 2009, 6:18 pm
Oh that is so adorable! I think I would love bartending, at least for a while, since I'd get to mingle, interact and be on my feet. And karaoke?! Count me in! Too cute, Caitlin!
Mica September 16, 2009, 6:21 pm
I didn't know that Qdoba had bartenders. The one by my college didn't. Apparently, we were missing out.

I was a bartender at an Indian restaurant in college, and I really, really sucked at it. Mostly, I ended up pouring wine for the servers, but I don't know anything about wine. I made up a lot of creative flavor descriptions, like "Earthy and voluptuous."
Maggie September 16, 2009, 6:24 pm
I've never done bartending, but I think it would be fun!

Chipotle is my favorite restaurant. No joke 🙂 I love the chicken salad.
Elisabeth September 16, 2009, 6:26 pm
Funny, I graduated from CMU in '06 and frequented the Oakland Qdoba like it was my job…not sure when you graduated from Pitt, but we seem about the same age so we probably crossed paths there!
lesley living life September 16, 2009, 6:26 pm
I think it's like a rule that there has to be a Cold Stone within close vicinity to every Chipotle, ha. (But, hey, it IS a good combo)
Kristen September 16, 2009, 6:28 pm
Ah, I love your bar memories! Hilarious! And it's not lame that you and your hubby sit side-by-side. My husband and I do the same. If it's lame, we'll be lame together. 😉
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 16, 2009, 6:35 pm
Lizzy – Stupid stuff, like Stacy's Mom and Pour Some Sugar on Me. LOL Lame.

Elisabeth – I graduated in 2006!!! Did you do the frat scene ever at CMU? I was friends with a bunch of Pikes.
itsawrapteacher September 16, 2009, 6:36 pm
Oh, my college days (UT at Austin). Never bar-tended but visited quite a few bars. Maybe too many!
Emily September 16, 2009, 6:37 pm
Love Chipotle! By far my favorite "fast-food" restaurant!!
I was a bartender/bev-cart girl for a few summers and loved it! (minus creepy guys)
liveloveeatandplay September 16, 2009, 6:49 pm
I used to tend bar at a catering hall. It was a blast, especially the weddings.
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) September 16, 2009, 6:54 pm
Haha my friends always go to karaoke night at local bars here in the city, although I am the big fan standing back in the audience- no singing here! Btw, thanks for checking out my blog! Classes and work have been keeping me busy so I hadn't written in a while before tonight– I don't know how you manage it all!
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries September 16, 2009, 7:02 pm
on those snacky days, sometimes you just need a legit meal.

never bartended, but i feel like i'd like so long as it wasn't in a like a crazy hectic club setting
Julie September 16, 2009, 7:04 pm
def hit that qdoba many times in college (i went to duq but had a bunch of pitt guy friends)…i seriously think that might be the only qdoba in existence that has a bar…haha
Susan September 16, 2009, 7:09 pm
I was a "classier" bartender of sorts – a barista 😛 I loooved mixing up the drinks, and chatting with the fun characters. But even in cafes, we'd get our fair share of creepy old men. Hey, at least they tipped well if you laughed at their bad jokes! 😛
emily September 16, 2009, 7:18 pm
I was a waitress for years and I LOVED it!
Courtney September 16, 2009, 7:21 pm
Cleaning up vomit! Damn girl, that's intense. You're a rockstar.
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) September 16, 2009, 7:23 pm
hahahaha dueting with the guy! That cracked me up. Loved this post.

Those tacos from Chipotle look pretty good. I've still never tried it and we live within walking distance of one.
Hi! I'm Erin September 16, 2009, 7:30 pm
I ALMOST suggested Chipotle for dinner tonight! I wouldn't have been as good as you, though. I can eat a whole one of their burritos by myself.

I've never tended bar…officially. When I was 16 I worked for a catering company and at least twice they stuck me on bar duty. Completely illegal and I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully most of the customers were nice enough to tell me how to mix their drinks.
Exa September 16, 2009, 7:34 pm
I didn't tend bar, but I waitressed for seven years of my life, from the time I was sixteen until I was twenty-three! I alternately loved it and hated it. I worked at a breakfast place first, and that was my favorite. After that I worked nights and sometimes I cocktail waitressed.
I also liked the money, talking to people, and the fun, fast-paced restaurant atmosphere. I disliked getting hit on/harassed, portioning out creamy condiments like bleu cheese dressing and mayo, and smelling like ketchup and meat at the end of the night.
Sometimes I miss waitressing, but most of the time I'm glad not to be doing it anymore!

Also, Chipotle is a pretty good option as far as fast food goes. Although I'm a vegetarian like you, my boyfriend loves the hormone-free, free-range meats. Chipotle sponsored Food Inc, too. So as far as a chain goes, not bad?
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 16, 2009, 7:37 pm
exa – ah yes… but chipotle is owned by mcdonalds. im so paranoid about stuff like that.
Jenna September 16, 2009, 7:37 pm
that bagel of yours looks great! i love your list of what you do and do not love of bartending! it looks like it was a lot of fun being a bartneder! i thought about being one once before!
jenna
Samantha~ September 16, 2009, 7:41 pm
I have never tended bar, but I think the money would be decent. Love, love, love chipotle!! I can make 3 meals out of a burrito bowl!!
Aimee September 16, 2009, 8:05 pm
My husband and I went there sometimes when we were dating in 2005 and 2006. It is such a tiny bar!
Emily September 16, 2009, 8:10 pm
I used to bartend at a mexican joint in college too- I went to Pitt also! Small world 🙂 It was a fun gig, but exhausting too.
Exa September 16, 2009, 8:22 pm
Me too. That's why I hardly ever eat there. But, in a pinch. It's overwhelming sometimes!
peanutbuttr plz September 16, 2009, 8:31 pm
I've never been to a Chipotle but I here they're awesome. Totally feel you about sitting next to your boy as well. A whole table apart is just way too much distance!
Morgan (lifeafterbagels) September 16, 2009, 8:33 pm
whoa Caitlin – I'm so in to your "old skool" photos!
Allison September 16, 2009, 8:35 pm
I never tended bar, but I frequented plenty of them in college!

Glad you got your ice cream fix. Sometimes, a girl just needs to give in to the craving!
Jolene - EverydayFoodie September 16, 2009, 8:45 pm
I love the old pics 🙂 I never bar tended, but I think I would have liked it. You cannot smoke in the bars in my city anymore, so I imagine it is better today than it was a few years ago.
Constantly Editing September 16, 2009, 9:06 pm
That Coldstone looks yummy! I love the fact that your hubby and you sit side by side- my boyfriend rarely endulges me with that lol. He thinks we'll "look funny." 😛
J @ Whole Body Love September 16, 2009, 9:25 pm
We have a Qdoba and a Chipotle here! I have only had Chipotle. I hear it's the "healthier" of the two! I have never bartended. Although, my very first job was as a hostess of a Mexican restaurant…I was the only employee who did not speak Spanish!
sandy September 16, 2009, 9:30 pm
hello, fyi chipotle is not longer owned by mcdonalds….they sold all their shares in the company- they first became a subsidary in 1999 and sold all their shares in 2006 so they own 0% now.
Tasha September 16, 2009, 11:56 pm
H and I always sit next to eachother at places! It's so normal for us but I wonder what others think… 😉
christie, honoring health September 17, 2009, 3:14 am
I never tended bar but I did work in a sports bar as a cocktail waitress. I actually think I made more money then than I do now with my "real" job!
Peanuts & Crackerjacks September 17, 2009, 3:59 am
I used to go to that Qdoba in college too!
Jaci September 17, 2009, 4:02 am
Yum! I had Chipotle last night, too! Burrito bowl for me 🙂 Love that place!
erinn September 17, 2009, 5:15 am
This is handy if youre going to chipotle! Actually, kinda scary:
http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator
Jess September 17, 2009, 5:29 am
I haven't bartended but I am quite familiar with Chipotle and Qdoba. Both of them were started right here in Denver. I went to the very first Chipotle when I moved here 13 years ago! Now I'm craving a burrito.
Eliza September 17, 2009, 6:13 am
I am a senior in college and trying to maintain my weight BUT still be able to drink and have fun. I feel like Im stressed out so much about not gaining weight that its effecting other aspects of my life and I hate it
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point September 17, 2009, 6:17 am
Eliza – As someone who went through college and had a thoroughly good time… I would say just relax and enjoy it. You can never repeat those experiences and I would go back in a heartbeat. Try drinking lower-cal bevs when you are out. I love wine sprizters – they are half white wine and white club soda.
NYgirl@heart September 17, 2009, 6:30 am
I bartended for two years in college, and one year after I took a job as a bar manager. It's really hard work. I got harassed, hit on, I had my tips stolen from me (people used to slide the tips off the bar and use them as money for beer. I caught on and when I did–believe me, it wasn't pretty)
However, as silly as it sounds, it's also how I met Dennis. He was always so nice and polite when he came in and I always was happy to see him. 5 1/2 years later….

PS You looked so cute (and young!) in that pic of you behind the bar!
Mellissa September 17, 2009, 6:46 am
I am embarrassed to admit this online, but I was a bacardi girl. I handed out free drinks and samples of new flavors and got paid cash and tips. We would work at a different bar every time and move around the area.
Jessica September 17, 2009, 7:19 am
Two things I love: Chipotle and Cold Stone. Never tended bar, always though it would be fun, tho.
Pam (Highway to Health) September 17, 2009, 7:59 am
I was never a bartended but that is like my dream job because I LOVE to sing kareoke! So much fun!
beesknees September 17, 2009, 8:14 am
My husband and I both bartended our way through college. I loved it! So many great friends and memories.

I also drove a beer cart on a golf course for 3 summers. Now THAT was a fun job. Great money and easy.

The Qdoba's around here don't have a fun bar like yours did. They serve beer, but not on tap.
Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) September 17, 2009, 8:27 am
OKAY, I LOVE the story of the homeless guy singing with you! Totally made my day!

BTW that bar…Not a gal in sight- would have been nice to be a single girl at that bar eh?! 😉
Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance September 17, 2009, 8:59 am
Ok, that is TOO FUNNY!!! Me & my husband had "Chipotle" last night too! I agree they could offer more "veggies" but I think all things considered they are pretty HEALTHY for fast food! I loved my Burrito Bowl. =) Laura

http://findingahealthybalance.wordpress.com/
Lauren September 17, 2009, 9:18 am
I worked at a very swanky bar in Manhattan when I was in grad school. I liked it, though some of the guys who would frequent it were sort of…questionable. haha It was definitely a good way to make some extra money, though! (Freelance writing and teaching intro. undergrad courses will only get you so far…). Very impressed that you sang! I am a less-than-wonderful singer, and the thought of having to do so at a bar is mortifying to me. You are a very good sport!
Rose September 17, 2009, 10:15 am
Go Pitt!

I never bartended, but I was a waitress, and I have similar nostalgic memories.
Nicole (dishin') September 17, 2009, 11:48 am
That's so funny! I bet it was an experience to bartend. We have Qdoba up here in Boston but there isn't a bar. We're missing out!
Kristi September 17, 2009, 12:19 pm
Wow, your Qdoba had a bar in it? We have Qdoba here and they serve alcohol but not a full bar! You would think we would since it is in Wisconsin 🙂

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