Around the Mountain by LJ James - Locomotions Sports Bar, The Universe, and Chicken Wings

COBLESKILL — About a year ago, I was visiting my little brother Christopher up in Maine. He lives there with his girlfriend and my three nephews. Now my brother is a foodie like me, so he took us about 45 minutes from his place to a spot called Trains Tavern in Lebanon, Maine.

The place was packed. The people were friendly. The vibe was electric.

It just so happened to be 25-cent Wing Night.

I fell in love instantly.

Ice-cold beer. Big, meaty wings. Friendly staff who made you feel like a regular the second you walked in. It reminded me of my youth in the 1980s — when bars felt like community halls and everybody knew everybody.

I walked around soaking it all in, thinking, Man, I wish we had a place like this near me.

(If you get to know me, you’ll find out I think about hamburgers and chicken wings way more than a grown man probably should.)

Fast forward about eight months.

And yes — I’m still thinking about that bar. That night. Those 25-cent wings.

Now I believe what I believe. I believe in the Universe. I believe in energy. I believe if you want something badly enough, the Universe has a funny way of delivering.

So about eight months later, my brother Craig texts me.

“There’s this bar called Locomotions in Cobleskill. They’ve got a 25-cent Wing Night.”

I immediately text back:

“Me and Pappy (My Father) are IN.”

So here’s where it gets a little strange.

We arrive at Locomotions Sports Bar & Grill, 136 Railroad Ave in Cobleskill — about 45 minutes from where I live.

The second I walk in…

I get the vibe.

Packed house. Friendly faces. Staff treating me like I’ve been coming there for years. I can smell the wings — all kinds of flavors — and I see people smiling, laughing, enjoying themselves.

I grab a beer and do my usual walk-around inspection.

And I swear to you… the similarities between this place and that tavern in Maine were eerie.

Now let me say this.

I spent a lot of my youth between Rochester and Buffalo, New York.

So when it comes to wings?

I’m basically a certified expert. 

I ordered BBQ flavored.

Pappy and Craig went with Garlic Parm, Buffalo, and something called “Trashed.”

These weren’t tiny little wings either. These were legit, good-sized wings.

We shared.

Every single flavor was a 10 out of 10 on my official Wing Scale.

Then I met the owner, Steve Meyers.

Super friendly guy. Really down earth guy.

I asked him, “How do you sell wings at these prices and stay in business?”

He laughed and said,

“Well, I’m a little crazy. I don’t always think about the profit. I think about keeping my customers and community happy… and the profits seem to take care of themselves.”

That right there told me everything I needed to know about this guy and I liked him right away.

I’ve been back to Locomotions many times since. And every time, I can’t help but quietly thank the Universe for sending this place my way.

Wing Nights are now Wednesdays and Thursdays — because one night just wasn’t enough for the demand.

If you’re a chicken wing nut like me, I hope to see you down at Locomotions in Cobleskill sometime soon.

Until next time…

I’m your Bro,

LJ James

And I’ll see you around the Mountain.