Lewisville Council to Consider Cleavage Ban, S.O.B.s

"...and butt cheeks." (Click to enlarge.)"

For my personal butt cheeks, I'd like you to create a "click to shrink" capability! I'd be okay with clicking to enlarge my breasts though!

All joking aside, I think some of the "costumes" are more appropriate for a strip club. I am no prude but I don't want to be served by a waitress like "the silver goddess"! If this level of dress is allowed, I think it should be clearly marked at the entrance prior to entering the establishment to prevent people from stumbling into the place and being shocked. The name "Redneck Heaven" doesn't bring visions of scantily clad waitresses to mind. It makes me think of bbq ribs, etc.

A question that I have is how old do you have to be to serve there? I would really like to think that these girls have to be at least 18 to dress like a cupcake or an "underboobage" Cowboys fan but, in reality, servers only have to be 16 at a restaurant.

This is outrageous and one more example of PATRIARCHY pronouncing the female form to be dirty and shameful. We are adults who work hard for a living and get paid. If you dont like it, dont come to the restaurant. Maybe we should come to the hearing in costume if their so obsessed with what we wear. Where and when are they going to decide this?

I actually had to read this a couple of times to make sure this wasn't a satire piece...

Women's liberation, decency, etc. aside - there is another practical concern which is the effect on nearby areas. RH is right near Vista Ridge and all of the other retail along I-35E. An establishment that is regarded as sexually oriented - whether it has that official designation or simply has that perception - is likely to affect shoppers choices to do business with nearby areas. People don't want to drag their small children through a parking lot shared with or near one where minimally dressed waitresses are doing shots off of each other - something I hear goes on outside of RH. Some women will probably feel uncomfortable going into a store or restaurant if they have to pass by this type of activity or pass by patrons of these places. Moreover, RH, Hooters, Twin Peaks and Tilted Kilt are all very prominent and are near each other. They already project an image of general seediness that amplifies an already existing perception of Lewisville being somewhat down market. It's just like the broken window effect: just as home buyers will judge an entire neighborhood as being rundown by a single broken window, shoppers will judge an entire retail district as being seedy by a single rauchy establishment.

These negative effects need to be managed in one way or the other. The restaurants that want to target this market need to self regulate and stop short of becoming strip clubs if they want to avoid tighter regulation though S.O.B. regulation or otherwise. And if they don't, the city can and should use whatever authority they have to regulate them so as to protect the viability of the surrounding areas and the sales tax revenue that those areas produce.

(Personally, I really wouldn't want any food handled by any naked person - but maybe that's just me.)

When I wrote the blog post the other night about the City Council's possible action against Redneck Heaven, it was too late in the day to get a comment from the establishment for the article, although I've since emailed them and have yet to hear back.

Nevertheless, since I've never been to Redneck Heaven, and was writing about it, I thought it was only fair that I visit the place to see what it was about so I could be sure that I wasn't just making assumptions based on what I saw in photos on the internet. It's a tough assignment, but I took one for the team and went there on Saturday afternoon to check the place out.

The building, on the West side of I-35, just before you get to Vista Ridge Mall Drive is the former home of a Mexican food restaurant that my family and I used to frequent, and we hated to see them close.

As a redneck-themed restaurant, they have a simulated NASCAR-style stock car in front, and a tricked out chopper motorcycle inside. They cater to motorcyclists, and have covered motorcycle parking in front. There is a patio section in the front of the building facing I-35.

As I make my way to the bar, I notice that the service staff is virtually all-female, and bikinis are about the most modest thing they are wearing. Many are in bras and panties, and they are all very attractive. The décor is gaudy, in keeping with redneck theme. A sign by the bar says "Liquor up front, poker in rear".

I found a seat at the bar, where two bartenders are attentively serving their customers. I was in my seat maybe a minute or two before Brandi came over to explain the specials to me. She has blonde hair and large round bosoms, and was dressed in a pink bikini with straps from the bottoms going up to her shoulders like suspenders. I guessed she must be in her late 20's.

She mentioned $3 draft beers, and I settle on a Ziegenbock. She pours it immediately before setting it in front of me, carefully folds a paper towel from the rolls sitting out on the bar, then grinds some salt into this makeshift coaster. As she set my beer down, she asked if I wanted some food, and gave me a menu to look over.

I ordered the "Diablo" sandwich, which is chopped barbecue, pickles and onions. While I waited on the food, I looked around to get a feel for the place. My plan is for a beer and a sandwich, take a few notes, then pick up some things at the store and head home. I tried to count the young women working there, but quit when I got to 20, and from where I was sitting couldn't see the whole space. There is apparently no specific uniform. They are mostly white, blonde, and in their early 20s if not a little younger. I'm terrible at guessing ages, but they all seemed to be over 18. (Not that I was checking IDs, and not that any of the young ladies would have had a place to carry one on them) They are wearing bikinis, tube tops, and underwear. Some of them have little tiny sarong-like garments over their bikini bottoms, but there is plenty of cheek showing.

The other bartender, Rachel, is blonde, slim and tanned, and wearing string bikini-style pink panties, and a sheer lacy pink bra covering her small breasts. Her nipples are covered with pasties, which you can see under the bra. A bottle opener is on her hip, her panty string as the holster. She and Brandi are working as a tag team, each checking on their customers. They take the time to stop in front of each customer and directly engage them, asking if they can refill your glass or get you anything. I don't know how old Rachel is, but I learn that she is younger than 22, because she is excited and talking to one of the guys about having to wait until she is 22 before she can get a breast augmentation.

As I sit at the bar, I take a quick note of the patrons: 95% of the customers are male. Of the 15 men sitting at the bar, I was the apparent youngest at 40 years old. There are a few women customers, and they all appear to be here with men. I didn't see any children.

The patrons and staff were pretty well-behaved. Definitely there was flirting going on in both directions, and some of the guys were trying out their pickup lines, but I got the sense that none of the guys were under any illusions about their chances with the waitresses or bartenders. But they seemed to enjoy the validation of pretty women flirting with them. Some of the patrons are apparently regulars, and know the waitresses walking by to serve patio guests. The girls stop by to greet them with hugs and ask them how it's going. I even saw a female patron flirting, commenting on how cute the outfit was that the bartender was wearing.

Many of the waitresses have cash or guest checks tucked into a bra or bikini strap. One stopped at the bar and sat down to figure out some checks. She stacked what appeared to be a couple hundred dollars in cash.

My sandwich arrived, and it is huge. The bun is probably 6 inches in diameter, and it is piled so high with barbecue, it's hard to pick up without losing some of the load. I tried, but eventually had to resort to using a fork. I didn't expect much from the food, given the apparent main selling point of the establishment, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality. The sandwich was delicious, and has my mouth watering just now as I recount it. I couldn't finish it all, but I sure gave it the college try. I also ordered the sweet potato fries, which were crisp and perfect.

I had about an inch of beer left, less than half way through the sandwich, and Brandi was on top of it. She just asked so nicely if I wanted another that it was hard to turn it down, and next thing I knew, she was bringing another folded paper towel, more salt, and another mug of Ziegenbock. Redneck Heaven is the #1 generator of beverage tax receipts in Lewisville. In a report dated January of 2011, it brought in $22,379 in tax revenue, barely beating BJ's for the top spot. That month, Twin Peaks brought in $16,513, Hooters paid $9,795, and Tilted Kilt brought up the rear with $3,419.

It was downright chilly inside, and it felt to me like I should have worn a jacket. I couldn't imagine what it must feel like to wear nothing but skimpy underwear. One of the other patrons mentioned something about it and asked Brandi if she was cold. "Nope, mine are pretty much always this way," she said, referring to her very noticeably erect nipples.

I look around to see what the other guys' reactions are, as scantily clad young hotties scurry about carrying drinks and food. I sort of expect to see a lot of staring and head turning, but notice that many of them are watching the Texas game on one of the many televisions throughout the place. In the seated portion of the restaurant, most of the tables have two or three men, and they're having conversations. I can't tell where they're looking, but suddenly I am distracted.

A cute and curvy young blonde waitress wearing matching hot pink bra and panties walks past me again, and I zone out for a moment. She is girl-next-door looking, and is not by any stretch fat, but seems more normal. You could imagine her with clothes on sitting in a pew at church. As I mentally dress her, she catches my gaze and smiles at me knowingly, seemingly satisfied at having snared me with her wiles, even if she wasn't my waitress and had no chance at a tip. Busted.

At this point, my beer wanted out, so I asked Rachel where the restroom was, and to please not take my sandwich away. (I really was into that sandwich) In the restroom, I encountered something I've never seen before: The urinals in the men's room have windows over them with mirrored glass so that you can see out into the restaurant while you do your business. How convenient to not have to give up the view, even for the duration of a bathroom break. I guess it's just a little weird to think about sitting in the dining room and having people possibly watching you while they pee.

On the way back, I notice the place has its own ATM in the lobby. I came back to find my beer with a napkin placed over the top of it. I sat back down to finish up, and a few seats down, and older guy lit up a cigarette, and was quickly pounced upon by Rachel, who firmly but warmly scolded him, explaining that it was strictly a non-smoking restaurant. She handled it well, and he quickly complied with a smile. At that point, someone came up to tell the bartenders that someone had broken a beer bottle in the men's room. Who takes beer into the men's room?

I paid my tab and left a $5 tip with the $12 tab, which is about what I would normally leave for my fully clothed bartenders of both genders at my usual haunt.

Redneck Heaven has yet to respond to my request for comment on tonight's City Council agenda.

In a 4-0 vote, the Lewisville City Council passed these changes tonight.

This is not a comment about the ordinance, this is a domestic dispute. So long as I own you, that will be the singular time that you will enjoy the view from the urinal, Stephen E. Southwell. It was only in the spirit of "research" that I allowed myself to swallow my own vomit at the suggestion of your patronage. I have nothing intelligent to add to the discussion, and won't pretend to, but there has to be something said for the amount of absolute anger I feel. Society can't bitch about "the perception of women as objects" so long as there are women that stoop to that level to get dumb men's money! How awkward it would be if one of their Daddies walked in. Jesus!! I hope to hell you didn't take any money back from the waitress and you were sure you washed your hands!


I'm an "each to their own" kinda gal. But this shit pisses me off. The pictures, that damn "Liquor in front, poker in back" (are you KIDDING ME?! - NICE.) sign, temperature of the place... Give me a break. Just go to a titty bar already.

After reading all the comments I have to say I am frustrated and disappointed at the same time. Frustrated because of all the negative comments;

Really!? Anyone who thinks this would be considered a "family" restaurant should have there head examined! Doesn't the name of the establishment kinda give you some indication that it's not really for families and children. Pull your head out the dark place its currently located!

This is America and as an American you have a choice as to whether or not you eat there! I have been there several times and not once did I have someone put a gun to my head to get me to go in!

As far as the dress code to work there, well the last time I checked no one was dragging body parts across my food. I can't say with any certainty but I don't think any of those girls were in anyway intimidated or pressed to work there. All willing participants!

Why don't you people who have a problem with this restaurant stick to your sewing circles and keep going to Luby's! Better yet, why don't you just stay home and cook a meal for a change. You know what it is so if you don't like it, stay away! I promise I won't go to your house for a meal and then complain as to how you serve it!!!

Question: With the updates to the ordinance, has the city done/researched any more regarding this issue? I forgot about this story until a friend was telling me about redneck heaven and how embarrassed she was to go in there (they went for minnow-shots, which is a completely different story- bleh).

Just curious as to how the City handled the changes and if any new complaints were made. A friend of mine went into Redneck Heaven last week without realizing what kind of “costumes” they had and told me she couldn’t believe they showed “side boob” and “under-boob” and had the ABC nights. I laughed and told her about your story, the city council meeting, and all the stories inbetween that I heard from both sides.

I guess Redneck Heaven doesn't care about the ordinance since they are trucking right along with their side/underboob costumes? Or did they file for the permit?

Also, please promise that you won't do any "on site research" again...I read Fluffy's comment above.