Back in the Vietnam era, the gap between the younger generation and older generation was at its height. How ironic that Milo Butterfinger’s – where a portion the Oliver Stone Vietnam era motion picture Born on the Fourth of July was filmed – is one of the few bars where very young and very old frolic in alcohol bliss.

Milo’s, has the locals call it, changes dramatically throughout the day. Almost always crowded, day times are for the more senior crowd, happy hour is a mixed bag, evenings are for all ages but the time when most of the legal aged SMU students frequent, and late night is for the hospitality industry and for those who live in the nearby cluster of apartments just stopping in to have one more.

A doorman ID’s anyone that doesn’t look of age. Drinks are cheap, with pitchers of beer being big players. The service staff is a fun group of characters. Sports are always on the numerous TV’s and pool games are always going on in the back. A dart tournament is part of Tuesday nights. I wonder if the participants take DART, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit train that stops nearby?

The walls are filled with sports memoribilia, except Texas-OU weekend when they change out the normal with things that reflect the history of the rivalry. A bartender that had a cup of coffee with the Dallas Blackhawks – the farm team of the Chicago parent many years ago – is enshrined. His career ended to a bout of mononucleous. His nickname is “Mono.”

The street is full of other bar options, mainly SMU bars, and parking can be diificult at night. The food is serviceable, served very late and extremely inexpensive. The patty melt is a favorite, and the fryer seems to be working overtime on most nights pushing out items for the college kids that will have more sense when they reach grandpa’s age. Maybe thay can stop into Milo’s during the day to get a lesson. – D.M.