Casino Connection Atlantic City

Ducktown Favorite

Ducktown Tavern Atlantic and Georgia Avenues Atlantic City • 609-449-1212

by Frank Legato

The Atlantic City workforce is one of the most diverse in the East, with people from all walks of life and all economic strata starting and finishing shifts at all times of the day and night. In the city's Ducktown section, though, there is one thing upon which the most diverse of these people can agree: the Ducktown Tavern. The Ducktown Tavern opened July 18 at the corner of Georgia and Atlantic, in the building that once housed Callahan's Bar. Third-generation restaurateur John C. Exadaktilos and a friend gutted the bar and rebuilt it from scratch into a classic corner bar with a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. Of all the projects he has been involved with going back to the diner his grandfather opened in the 1940s, Exadaktilos says none has succeeded more quickly than the Ducktown. It started with great food and grew fast, thanks to the friendly atmosphere created by the staff. "Everything we serve is made here," says Exadaktilos. "All burgers are made fresh to order. I buy the vegetables fresh myself several times a week. Nobody beats our breakfast, which is great for people getting off the night shift." In fact, it was quickly evident after opening that the new Ducktown Tavern would have to be a 24-hour operation. And word of the food quality and friendly atmosphere spread quickly, with the bar and restaurant typically packed with local union masons, construction workers, casino employees, white-collar executives, and city workers from police to EMT personnel to firemen (in fact, they all have burgers named after them). "I don't need a bouncer," Exadaktilos says, "because every cop in Atlantic City eats breakfast, lunch and dinner here!" Through mainly word-of-mouth, the Ducktown Tavern has rapidly become one of the city's most popular bars, and most popular spots for meals. Exadaktilos says he appreciates every one of his customers, and in fact, on a recent Monday afternoon, he was able to stroll behind a packed bar and recite every customer's name and occupation. "A lot of people appreciate the owner of a bar knowing their name," he says. "I will ask how they like what we are offering, where we can improve, and so forth—and we address all suggestions at monthly meetings. "People come back to this place because everyone is treated like a friend." The Ducktown Tavern runs numerous weekly events, including NFL Ticket during football season, and Casino Nights on Sundays, where casino employees get special discounts with their IDs. You can learn about these regular events, as well as special events and parties, by visiting the tavern's website at www.ducktowntavern.com.

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