The Rook & Pawn

10/08/2026

Two trivias in one week?! INCONCEIVABLE!

I know you've been reading dictionaries to work up a mental sweat -- now prove those gains are for real with YET ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE YOU'RE THE SMARTEST ONE IN THE ROOM. Love you. See you tomorrow.

10/07/2026

"For all evils there are two remedies — meat and cheese" Alexander Dumas or something like that.

It's been here since day one, it'll be here long after we're all gone -- the Monte Cristo has been our menu's cornerstone since 2015. The menu may have changed 1000 times, but one thing remains constant -- we love a good meat, cheese, bread, jam combo. I'd wager my entire unsubstantial net worth that you will too.

10/06/2026

It is Tuesday, again. And you might think my cup o' kindness is running dry, but YOU WOULD BE WRONG because I'VE GOT SO MANY PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT and we're not gonna stop tippin' our hat to other homies in town that deserve your support (in case somehow you haven't heard the good word, small businesses are a tough gig -- especially these days). Without any further hemmin and hawwin -

Last week got me thinking about neighbors -- current neighbors, old neighbors, neighbors we don't even know about yet -- and there is one mythical neighbor of yesteryear who looms large in our memory. Back in the day, he was but a mere mortal that worked across the street at a local tattoo parlor (we will certainly talk about that shop later --there's a special relationship between tattoo artists and their local coffee shop -- iykyk -- but i digress, WE'RE TALKIN 'BOUT Outpost 76) and the man, the myth, the LEGEND that is Mike Groves quickly became one of our very favorite people. Then the dark times came. He left us for the great wide unknown that is the world outside of Athens GA but, thankfully, he heard our cries of agony and graciously returned to us a few years later even better than he was before! Better! Faster! Stronger! He now operates his own studio -- Outpost76 -- not too far away from downtown (but just a little too far for us to have the absolute joy of seeing him every day). There's a reason the man is a local legend -- you can spot a Mike Groves tattoo from a mile away -- his style is killer and unique, his colors are unmatched, and his BEDSIDE MANNER IS IMPECCABLE. He's truly is the sweetest fella you'll ever meet and it is the understatement of the century to say we love him dearly. So if you're looking for some new art for your body our perhaps the walls of your home, check him out. Tell him we sent you. Then tell him we love him. And then give him a big ol' smooch for us (ONLY if he says its ok).

As luck would have it, i have an appointment with Outpost76 coming up soon and i'm very excited to show off my fancy new art -- it truly is a Athens badge of honor to have a tattoo by the one and only Mike Groves, aka Poopbird. I am fortunate enough to have 3. Thanks for everything, amigo.

10/05/2026

TOMORROW (OR TODAY IF YOURE READING THIS ON TUESDAY). We heard the children clamboring for it, so we're partnering up with our friends THE Friends of Bear Hollow Zoo to give your big beautiful brain an extra workout for this week. Come use those big beautiful brains! Justify your student loan debt with PRIZES! We love you. And we love bears. We love both you and bears. But we love you just a little bit more than bears. Don't tell the bears I said that.

If you are, in fact, a bear and you're reading this -- ignore what I said about loving our patrons more than bears. Clearly bears are superior. Please don't bite my face off. I like my face. I NEED my face.

10/05/2026

Reminder! We are closing early this evening (5:30pm)! We love you but it's GOTTA HAPPEN. We'll be back open tomorrow, same time, same place!

10/03/2026

Sometimes you don't get out of your pajamas for a single moment all day long and plug in your original NES and play Mike Tyson's Punch Out! because you deserve nice things and leaving the house just isn't in the cards today.

We get it -- there's PEOPLE outside, and sometimes that's just too much to deal with on a Saturday. We hope if you do decide to leave the house (which would be very brave and bold of you, indeed -- we're very proud of you for even considering it), you'll let us fortify you with a cup of coffee, or perhaps a small sandwich of your choosing as a little reward for being so courageous.

10/02/2026

POSTING WAY EARLY SO PEOPLE WILL HOPEFULLY SEE!!!

Our MTG commander night that USUALLY would happen this Monday has been CANCELLED due to events beyond our control (I.e. we've been bought out for the evening and will be closing to the public). I'm very sad, but also IT MUST BE DONE. WE'RE SORRY. I'll post reminders on Monday.

10/01/2026

CAN IT BE? IS IT THURSDAY AGAIN? EVERYONE GET IN HERE! Flex those big beautiful brains!

10/01/2026

If you know me -- you know i had a beagle for many years (rest in peace, Bagel -- i love you and miss you every single day). He was my very best friend in the whole entire world and now any time i see a beagle who needs help, i can't help but try and do something. So here i am utilizing the extremely small online presence i have via Rook and Pawn to spread the word. This sweet boy needs help -- if you were going to buy coffee or lunch from us, donate to Rudy instead. I'm going to donate now.

💔 RUDY UPDATE: THAT SWEET SMILE HAS BEEN HIDING A LOT OF PAIN 💔

Our sweet Rudy is 8-10 years old, just 35 pounds, and cute as a button. And even with a painfully swollen face and a mouth that has to be hurting terribly, this precious little Beagle still can’t help but smile 🥺❤️

Unfortunately, today confirmed what we were afraid of. Rudy definitely has an abscess, and he WILL need dental surgery 🫤

His mouth is a MESS 😭 His back teeth are in very bad shape, with gingivitis and significant dental disease, and there was even impacted hair packed around some of those painful teeth 🥺

Right now, we’re waiting on his bloodwork to make sure everything looks good before the veterinary team can determine just how extensive his dental surgery will need to be and create a plan of action.

We don’t have an estimate yet... But we DO know dental surgery is EXPENSIVE 💔

If you can donate toward Rudy’s medical care, please DONATE 🙏 Even $5 or $10 adds up and helps us be ready to say YES to whatever this sweet little buddy needs.

🏡 AND RUDY NEEDS A FOSTER.

At 8-10 years old, we desperately want Rudy recovering from dental surgery somewhere quiet, warm and comfortable instead of in a shelter kennel. He’s only 35 pounds and truly the sweetest little guy ❤️

🐶 Dog Foster Application:
https://form.jotform.com/friendsofocasga/ocas-dog-foster-form

🙏 DONATE for Rudy.
🏡 FOSTER Rudy.
📣 SHARE Rudy.

He’s been smiling through the pain. Now we need to make sure that sweet little smile doesn’t hurt anymore ❤️‍🩹🐾

09/30/2026

Put away the windex, our big fat Greek gyro is enough to solve most problems.

While we've reached out to Mr. Inglesias's people, so far there's been no response -- but we're pretty sure this is what Enrique was singing about back in 2001. Thin sliced slow roasted beef, red onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and feta cheese crumbles wrapped up in a hot pita and topped off with our homemade tzatziki. It'll stand by you forever. It'll take your breath away!

I hope somebody else remembers that song -- it haunts my dreams.