Local bars and restaurants offer deals on Super Sunday
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Super Bowl facts + Each member of the winning team earns $73,000. The losing team gets $38,000 per player. + The Vince Lombardi Trophy was created by Tiffany & Company. It's 20.75 inches tall, weighs 107.3 ounces and is valued in excess of $25,000. + The Chicago Bears will be the home team. + Commercials cost up to $2.6 million for 30 seconds.

Super Bowl XLI is almost upon us. Over the years, you may have had a hard time watching the big game for a variety of reasons.

Maybe it was a house with 30 people attending and only one couch and television. Maybe you were stuck next to the person that says, "I'm rooting for them only because I need them to get two safeties in the next two minutes for me to win a square."

To make sure you aren't next to the fan that is rooting for the Colts because he or she thinks they still play their home games in Baltimore, there is a solution: Leave the house.

There are many places in Simi Valley to watch the big game where the volume isn't turned up just for the commercials. Here's a list of some of our favorites.

Cronies Sports Grill

2752 Cochran St.

This sports bar has 16 TVs, including three big screens, so no matter where you are the game will be on in front of you. Cronies offers a package for $25.95 that includes the chance to reserve a seat, a Cronies Super Bowl T-shirt, a meal, two beers (domestic) and a raffle for "the cheesiest prizes ever."

"Most people like to watch the Super Bowl at home, so if they are going to come out and watch it, we have to offer something good," Cronies owner Dave Rea said. "I think this package we are offering does that."

The package takes away the factor of someone being afraid of losing that great spot if they need to get up and grab more food, beer, or go to the bathroom.

"By signing up for this package you get to reserve a seat in the bar," Rea said. "I would say to still come early to grab a better seat, but this deal guarantees that you have a good one."

As far as the menu goes, Cronies offers many appetizers including chicken wings, garlic fries and nachos. Rea said all the TV's would be showing the game. There will be no chance of watching a college hockey game in the bar on this day.

"I don't know what else is on, but every single one of the TV's will be on the game. The sound will be blasted and it should be a good time for everyone that comes."

The Arena

999 Enchanted Way

The Arena is a bar located adjacent to the Grand Vista Hotel near First Street. The bar has 20 TV's including six big screens. There are also five pool tables and a VIP lounge with two couches if you get there early enough.

"It's the best place to view the Super Bowl in Simi Valley," Arena manager Dave Evans said. "We have the biggest big screens in town, we throw the biggest parties in town, and we have the best staff in town that includes the prettiest waitresses."

According to Evans, the Arena will have many drink and food specials during the game. However, they wanted to "play it by ear" and not decide what they will be serving until the day of the game.

"It depends on the crowd and the moment what specials we have that day," Evans said. "Our specials are kind of spurofthemoment things sometimes."

The Arena also features an outdoor patio for smokers, free popcorn, and a go-go cage so be careful what kind of bets you make with your friends on the game here. The bar is also part of the Grand Vista Hotel, so if you get a little too tipsy, you can always get a room and sleep it off instead of drive.

Chuy's

1397 East L.A. Ave.

Chuy's offers a great place to watch the game as the restaurant has 16 TV's both indoors and outdoors. Two of the TV's are 42inch HD's, so you are guaranteed to see a great picture, no matter who you're rooting for.

Chuy's will offer two Super Bowl packages, one for $20 and the other for $30. Aside from the packages, the restaurant will be raffling off new Super Bowl XLI T-shirts, exclusive to Chuy's. If you miss rooting for something completely random, Chuy's will have numerous boards where you can put money on squares.

"It should be a great place to watch the game, have some fun, and win some prizes," manager Frank Henderson said. "The place will be freshly painted for the game and we'll have raffles available to everyone that attends.

"We have great appetizers with the Baja sticks and our pepper jack quesadilla being some of our best," Henderson added. "The crowd should be pretty neutral in who everyone is rooting for, so come on down and watch the game here."

The Elephant Bar

1825 Madera Rd.

The Elephant Bar may not be as rowdy as the choices above, but the spacious bar inside the restaurant makes this a top choice. The bar area features five TV's and many tables.

Off all the places mentioned above, the Elephant Bar probably has the biggest menu. Although no deals are planned for Sunday, the place will be in a football mood with many of the servers wearing their favorite football jerseys.

According to manager Oscar Alcerro, some of the best things to order off the menu include the BBQ ribs, lettuce wraps, burgers and the artichoke dip.

Whatever you decide to do, we suggest getting there a little early. The Super Bowl is a long game, and you don't want to be stuck standing for hours on end. Also, please remember to be responsible. If you're going to drink, make sure you have a designated driver handy or the number for a local cab company.