Conestoga, Hunt’s favorites for Future Masters attendees

Editor’s note: Rather than the usual restaurant review this week, Dothan Eagle sports writer Ken Rogers asked players and attendees at the 60th annual Press Thornton Future Masters golf tournament where they like to eat when they’re in town. See the Eagle’s Sports section for full tournament coverage.

They are tired. They are spent. And, even though they don’t realize it after five or six hours in 100-plus degree heat, they are hungry.

Soon after Future Masters participants finish their rounds, their sights shift from tees to tea, from greens to salad greens, from out-of-bounds stakes to steaks. Sorry. You get the idea.

Rather than sample one restaurant this week, we asked the experts — hotel residents who are in Dothan for the golf tournament this week — about their favorite places to eat.

Fortunately, we didn’t get any fast food responses. These guys are old enough to recognize and appreciate a good meal. While drive-thru is not out of the question, it’s nobody’s favorite destination, either.

Turns out, where the visitors go is where the locals go, too. Word of mouth is still a powerful advertisement, particularly among out-of-towners.

The restaurant which came up No. 1 in our highly unscientific poll is the Conestoga Steak House.

Almost half of the two dozen or so asked smiled and didn’t need much time to answer.

“Conestoga. Definitely. You’ve got great steaks there,” said Ingram Tynes of Birmingham, who recommends the ribeye.

Allen Wiggins, whose son Victor was contending for the the 13-14 age division, said Conestoga is the restaurant of choice this week.

And while several golfers didn’t couldn’t recall the precise name, “Chuckwagon,” “Stogie’s,” “Constantine’s,” were among the attempts, Conestoga was the pick.

“I usually get the ribeye,” Will Voetsch of New Vernon, N.J., said.

It was hardly unanimous, however.

The runner-up in this survey was Hunt’s Oyster Bar.

“For sure,” Dalton Skinner of Birmingham said emphatically. “We’re going there for the second time tonight. I get the oysters.”

Bart Williams of Atlanta, whose son William was about to tee off Monday, was already looking forward to it.

“We’re going back tonight,” the dad said.

Jack Comstock of Jacksonville, Fla., said his buddy, Dillon Woods, has grandparents who live in Dothan. On their recommendation, they like the Blue Plate.

Luke Miller of Mobile is in his fifth Future Masters. He named Old Mexico as his restaurant of choice.

Jacob Ross of Brookhaven, Miss., agreed with that, but added, “It’s hard to beat Outback.”

In fact, bigger chain restaurants got several responses.

Forrest Knight of Clanton gives steak and chicken at Applebee’s the nod.

Applebee’s is Davis Riley’s favorite place. Riley, from Hattiesburg, Miss., was in contention for the 11-12 title.

Campbell Fisher of Suwanee, Ga., said T.G.I. Friday’s would be his pick.

So yes, there are longer waits than usual at your favorite places this week. But isn’t it worth it?