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The Daily Wildcat

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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

    Hey, Barkeep

    Alex+Guyton+%2F+The+Daily+Wildcat+%0A%0AJamie+Cortese%2C+general+manager+of+Aussie+Cantina%2C+pours+out+a+Fosters.
    Alex Guyton
    Alex Guyton / The Daily Wildcat Jamie Cortese, general manager of Aussie Cantina, pours out a Foster’s.

    What’s your favorite drink to make?

    My favorite drink to make is a Bloody Mary. I’m really good at them.

    Least favorite drink to make?

    Probably a “Sex with an Alligator.” You layer the drink with different components. It’s not funny especially when you’re busy.

    Most memorable customer?

    Probably the time a customer came in and tipped me $200. He asked me how much I wanted and I said $200, and he wrote a tip for $200.

    Do you remember what he ordered?

    I think he just ordered a couple beers and an appetizer.

    Weirdest, strangest thing you’ve seen go down at the bar?

    This bar, in particular, we have college students and some other interesting people that hang out here. We had a gentleman come in here, sit at the bar, and he was a little strange. Said he wanted me to thank him for helping us here, which we’d never even known who he was and then he threw a drink and walked out.

    Is the Aussie Cantina known for anything in particular?

    Probably our kangaroo tacos. Drink-wise, we carry Foster’s, which everyone thinks Foster’s is Australia’s favorite beer and it’s not. They despise it. Everyone comes in for kangaroo tacos, Foster’s and a meat pie.

    As a customer, what can I do to piss you off as a bartender?

    Not tipping. We’re here to make money. You gotta tip, pay it forward.

    How often does that happen?

    More often than you think.

    What can I do to make your job as easy as possible?

    Just be fun, be outgoing, talk to us. If anything’s wrong, let us know. If you like something, let us know that too. Just communication between each other is the best thing that you can do.

    Drinking trend that you would like to see go away?

    Fireball [Cinnamon Whiskey]. Try something else. There’s plenty of other things out there that are good.

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