The Dixie Chicken opened in 1974. I know, cause I was one of the first 4 customers. Before that it was the Aggie Den. The Aggie Den was a pool hall. The owner would buy old Playboys for 0.25 if it had the foldout and 0.05 if it didn't then sell them for a dollar. In the back were several old coin operated porn machines. I think the Aggie Den was around for about 6 years, so that takes it back to 1968 - 69. Don't know what was there then.
The original Dixie Chicken and Aggie Den only occupied the thin strip of building next to bottle cap alley. Next door was a Hobby Shop for several years, where you bought the plastic models to put together. When they closed, The Chicken expanded into that area, probably 78 -79 time frame. Next door to that was an old style bar and grill, mostly catered to non-students and next door to that was an old grocery store. That was what was there from 72 - 76.
As you get older your short term memory goes to hell and your long term memory gets sharper, for awhile at least. Can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning, but my first beer at The Dixie Chicken in 1974 was a Schlitz Malt Liquor.
