Leilani Smith (left) and Todd Walker keep their bar clean at Joe's Underground on Broad Street in Augusta. The bar features live music every day, along with drink and shot specials. (Michael Holahan/Staff)
There's plenty of fun at Joe's Underground
Inside the dimly lit basement, a few bartenders and servers scurry back and forth between the long bar and the brown and green booths, tables and chairs. Two touch-screen video games sit atop the bar and a TV plays behind it.
The mystery man from the sign outside is on the front of the full menu, which features nearly 30 sandwiches, including peanut butter and banana, turkey and cranberry, and a chicken Philly that's absolutely delish. Other foods, all served until 2 a.m., include pizzas, salads, nachos and sausage dogs, with menu prices ranging from 75 cents to $11.25.
The stage is in the left corner, and there's live entertainment every night. Expect to hear acoustic guitar music on weeknights and full bands playing rock or blues on weekends.
Little is visible of the green walls because of the many license plates, alcoholic beverage logos and pictures that adorn them. Black-and-white photographs of early-20th century Augusta hang here and there, and a college picture of owner Harold Baker in his University of Tennessee baseball uniform is near the front.
Down the hall of the underground cafe is a room with golf arcade and darts games and the restrooms: one for women, the other for Joes.
If you go to Joe's before sundown, be sure to put on your sunglasses before opening the door to leave. Remember, you're underground. Climbing back up to the surface after being nearly blinded by the forgotten light of day can be a bit of a task.
But for a chicken Philly that's top of the line and some smooth guitar funk after a long day's work, I goes to Joe's.
FOR ALL JOES
The Place: Joe's Underground Cafe, 144 Eighth St. map)
Popular drink: $1 shots, beer
Popular food: Sandwiches
Dress code: None
Crowd: Mellow, mature
